Minister Approves Thames Water Plan at Wild Swimming Site
Labour is facing internal confusion regarding efforts to clean up the River Thames for public swimming. On Wednesday, it became evident that conflicting plans may hinder the progress of making the river safe and accessible for swimmers.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has outlined a 10-year initiative to prioritize a section of the River Thames in Teddington, southwest London, as part of an ambitious strategy to reduce pollution. This initiative is intended to encourage more people to engage with the river for recreational purposes, including wild swimming. However, a recently approved project by Thames Water could be at odds with these plans.
Thames Water’s Controversial Proposal for Teddington
Environment Secretary Steve Reed approved Thames Water’s proposal to pump 75 million liters of treated sewage per day into the River Thames at Teddington. This approval came just a week before Khan’s announcement to clean up the river at the same location for wild swimming, creating confusion and concern among local residents and environmental advocates.
Environmental Concerns Over Thames Water’s Plan
The Thames Water plan has raised significant environmental concerns. Local campaigners fear that the increased water temperature, changes in salinity, and chemical content from the treated sewage could damage the river’s ecosystem. These issues, including the potential harm to fish and biodiversity, will be addressed during the development consent process, where the environmental impact will be fully assessed.
Conflict Between Swimming Plans and Sewage Discharge
Local swimmers and environmental groups are particularly concerned about the conflicting objectives between Thames Water’s sewage discharge plan and Sadiq Khan’s vision for a cleaner, safer river for swimming.
Teddington Bluetits Raise Concerns
Marlene Lawrence, a member of the Teddington Bluetits swimming group, voiced her concerns:
“I’m pleased with Sadiq Khan’s initiative to make more wild swimming spots safe for the public. The river upstream of Teddington Lock is a popular area for wild swimmers, kayakers, rowers, and families. But it’s hard to see how Thames Water’s abstraction plan can be allowed when they propose pumping treated sewage, full of chemicals, back into the river during droughts to replace natural water.”
Lawrence also highlighted the potential risks to public health and river life, emphasizing that treated sewage could make the river unsafe for swimming.
Political Reaction to Conflicting Plans
Twickenham MP Munira Wilson, a Liberal Democrat, has been actively opposing the Thames Water project. She highlighted the mixed messages being sent by the government and local authorities:
“It’s good news that Teddington has been recognized as a priority area for cleanup due to high pollution levels, but the conflicting messages are confusing. Water quality concerns are the exact reason local campaigners and I are fighting Thames Water’s proposal to pump treated sewage into the river.”
Request for Urgent Clarification
Wilson has called for an urgent meeting with Environment Secretary Steve Reed to address the approval of the water recycling project. She stated that Teddington residents deserve clear answers on whether the river will be cleaned up for recreational use or compromised by sewage discharge.
Thames Water’s Resource Management Plan: A Cause for Concern
The approval of Thames Water’s resource management plans by Environment Secretary Steve Reed includes major infrastructure projects such as a new reservoir in Oxfordshire and the £250 million Teddington project. The Teddington scheme proposes abstracting 75 million liters of water per day from the River Thames during drought conditions and replacing it with treated sewage from the Mogden sewage works.
Environmental Risks from Treated Effluent
Experts and environmental campaigners are concerned about the potential environmental risks posed by the treated effluent, including increased water temperatures and the presence of harmful substances, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” Pollution from both raw and treated sewage, alongside agricultural runoff, has been a major contributor to the poor state of rivers across England.
Historical Rejection of Thames Water’s Similar Proposal
In 2019, the Environment Agency rejected a similar Thames Water proposal due to the unacceptable environmental risks associated with releasing millions of liters of treated sewage into the river. The rejection was based on concerns about the long-term damage to river ecosystems.
Sadiq Khan’s Response: A Call for Collaboration
When questioned about the potential conflict between his cleanup plans and Thames Water’s sewage discharge project, Sadiq Khan emphasized the need for collaboration with key stakeholders:
“We are working with key stakeholders to develop an action plan to clean up the river. Together, we can engage with Thames Water and say, ‘You have good ideas, but are you aware of the potential consequences?’”
Plans for Teddington’s Future Still Unclear
While Khan is optimistic about the prospects of a cleaner River Thames, it remains unclear whether Thames Water’s abstraction project will proceed, given the competing objectives. Discussions between the mayor’s office and Thames Water are ongoing.
The Thames Tideway Tunnel: A Step Towards Cleaner Water
Both Sadiq Khan and Steve Reed made their announcements at the Thames Tideway Tunnel on Victoria Embankment, home to London’s new “super sewer.” This massive 15.5-mile (25 km) tunnel, set to become fully operational in 2025, is designed to stop 95% of raw sewage from entering the Thames. The mayor’s office described the tunnel as a major step towards improving water quality in the river, providing transformational environmental benefits.
Government Commitment to Water Infrastructure and Pollution Control
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) released a statement acknowledging the growing pressure on water systems due to population growth and climate change. They highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding water supply, protecting the environment, and improving public health:
“That is why this government is committed to increasing our water supply while protecting the environment and public health. We are going further by introducing legislation to clean up our waterways, attract private-sector investment for upgrades, and speed up the building of water infrastructure.”
Conclusion: Balancing Environmental Protection with Infrastructure Needs
The debate over the future of the River Thames highlights the complex challenge of balancing environmental protection with the need for water infrastructure upgrades. While the goal of cleaning up the Thames for wild swimming is a positive step, the conflicting plans from Thames Water and the government may require further negotiation to achieve a solution that benefits both the public and the environment.