Reservoir Safety Fears Spark Council Action

Councillors have voiced serious safety concerns about a planned reservoir near Abingdon, operated by Thames Water. A key worry is the potential impact of an emergency water discharge, which an Oxfordshire County Council member stated could devastate downstream villages on the River Thames, endangering lives and property. This concern led to a council motion requesting government clarification on managing such an event.

Thames Water has responded by asserting that the proposed South East Strategic Reservoir Option will adhere to stringent safety standards mandated by the Reservoirs Act 1975. They emphasize that the reservoir will be designed, built, and operated under expert oversight, including continuous monitoring by trained safety teams and independent engineers. An emergency system to release water safely into the Thames if needed is also planned.

The proposed reservoir, designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, has the capacity to hold 150 million cubic meters of water. Thames Water aims to submit its application next year, with construction potentially starting in 2029 and operation commencing in 2040. The project is estimated to cost up to £7.5 billion, and communities like Sutton Courtenay and Dorchester on Thames could be impacted by emergency discharges.