The Abingdon reservoir, also known as SESRO (South East Strategic Reservoir Option) is being consulted on as part of a raft of measures in the South East of England, across six water companies, to ensure future water supplies. A lot of the measure got through the gate 1 decision process in January 2022, as tested by OFWAT (the UK Water Services Regulation Authority), and now go towards gate 2. You can have your say on the WRSE website. WRSE stands for Water Resource South East.
Maybe they thought by calling it SESRO nobody would notice, but the Abingdon Herald have already produced a detailed report: Plans for huge reservoir near Abingdon explained/.
The Abingdon reservoir was proposed on two occasions since this blog started in 2006 and been turned down. It would cover a large area of farmland, south of Abingdon, across the A34 from Drayton, so about three miles from Abingdon.
This picture shows the A34 bordering the flat farmland with Steventon in the distance.
Just to mention that the new layby on the A34, built last year, should have a view over the reservoir if it ever gets built.
When built will Thames Water be pumping raw sewage into it?
The water is not for Oxfordshire it is for London. There are many more suitable sites for this near London. There are numerous disused gravel sites etc. The water would not have to be piped miles to London either which is much more sustainable.
The water will not be piped to London. It will be taken from the Thames and returned to the Thames.
If they will be pumping it to London, they will need to improve their leak performance.
I can’t believe the red line in the Oxford Mail report is the boundary of the reservoir. If it is it will drown the whole of South Marcham including Manor Farm, parts of Steventon and East Hanney, and also Garford Crematorium. The poor departed will turn in their ashes!
Thames Water have been planning this reservoir since the 1970s. As I understand it, their plan is to pump water from the Thames to this reservoir during periods of high rainfall and then pump back into the Thames in low rainfall times (mainly spring and summer) increasing the water available to London reservoirs. The original plan was just to supply London but I understand it has been expanded now to supply other water companies also.
We would not benefit locally, however this mega-construction project would blight property, cause terrible traffic congestion on top of what we already have for up to twenty years. This is not to mention loss of undisturbed farmland in this area where Curlew, Lapwing and other declining species still breed.
TW lose around 30% due to leaks in their pipework. They should fix this before even considering such a project. Wider installation of water meters would also encourage consumers to waste less water.
David I entirely agree with you and this will take up more good agricultural land on top of that which has housing being built on in our area which I think we can ill afford to lose.