Munira Wilson MP has criticised the Government’s decision to approve Thames Water’s Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), which includes highly controversial proposals to pump treated sewage into the River Thames at Teddington Lock.
The Teddington Direct River Abstraction (Teddington DRA) would pump treated sewage into the river above Teddington Lock via an underground pipeline from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works as part of Thames Water’s stated drought resilience objectives. However, Munira, residents, and campaigners have argued that the proposals would, in fact, contribute very little to drought resilience while potentially damaging human health and the environment.
“On any given day, our stretch of the river is alive with people swimming, rowing, paddling and kayaking along our precious waterway and enjoying nature with their sporting clubs, youth groups, schools and families,” said Munira.
“I am beyond disappointed that the Government has decided to allow Thames Water to waste billpayers’ money by ploughing ahead with these proposals, and I know that local residents will be similarly outraged. The threat to people, wildlife and the environment is too great a cost,” added Munira.
The controversy surrounding the Teddington DRA reflects serious questions that remain unanswered about the health and environmental impacts, with the Environment Agency itself having said that Thames Water has failed to show that the Teddington scheme is “feasible or environmentally acceptable”. Munira and campaigners maintain that Thames Water has also failed to prove that the proposals fit ‘best value’ – particularly with more viable alternatives available.
Munira has been campaigning against the Teddington DRA proposals since they were first announced, holding a parliamentary debate in September 2023 and presenting a petition in Parliament in December 2023. On 22 July, Munira and Sarah Olney, MP for Richmond Park, wrote a joint letter to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, asking him to halt the proposals once and for all.
Munira pointed to the ongoing scandals surrounding Thames Water’s practices and financial position as another reason the proposals should not proceed.
“The decision to give these proposals the go-ahead is especially galling given Thames Water’s shocking financial state and continuing scandals around illegal sewage dumping, eye-watering leaks and sky-high price hikes,” said Munira.
“It’s no wonder people don’t trust the water companies and no wonder local residents don’t want these proposals to go ahead. I am urgently seeking a meeting with the Environment Secretary to express my huge disappointment that he has approved the Water Resources Management Plan without removing the Teddington scheme. Residents want answers from a minister who has promised to protect our precious river.”
We covered the Teddington DRA here.
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