Latest news with #reservoir
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
High Court to hear judicial review on Oxfordshire reservoir plan
The High Court will hear a judicial review brought against a water firm's plan to build one of the country's largest reservoirs later. Thames Water's £2.2bn South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), would be created near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, to cope with increasing demand and climate project would cover an area the size of Gatwick Airport and the company said it would secure supply for 15 million charity CPRE Oxfordshire and water safety group Safer Waters have said it would devastate local ecology and livelihoods. They have also said it would increase the risk of flooding, squander billpayers' funds and be Water intends to submit an application to construct and maintain the reservoir next year. If that is granted, it hopes to start building in 2029 with the reservoir operational from water would supply customers in Oxfordshire and others in London and the South East, Thames Water said. It said it would "provide opportunities to create new habitats and increase biodiversity, as well as providing new leisure and recreation facilities". But Derek Stork, a director of Safer Waters, said the project was "a scandalous misuse of public money". "Instead of investing in essential sewage clean up and modern water reuse systems, Thames Water wants to build an untested bunded structure the height of an eight-storey building that puts communities at risk while lining shareholder pockets," he Warne, director of CPRE Oxfordshire, said: "The UK is already one of Europe's most wasteful water users per person – we currently reuse just 0.08% of urban wastewater, the lowest rate in Europe. "The government should prioritise leakage reduction, water reuse, and efficiency, not this vanity reservoir."Oxfordshire Liberal Democrat MPs Olly Glover, Layla Moran and Charlie Maynard said they supported the scheme being assessed at a public inquiry to ensure "meaningful public scrutiny". In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicated government support for the was designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) earlier this month. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Massive new reservoir is 'nationally significant' project for planners
Planning permission for a massive new reservoir will be decided by the Government, not by a local authority, Thames Water has announced. The reservoir, which would be south west of Abingdon, would produce up to 270 million litres of water per day, providing additional water supplies to 15 million people. It is expected to nearly be as big as Gatwick Airport and has faced repeated local opposition. READ MORE: Judicial review hearing for reservoir near Abingdon In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed plans for the new reservoir, and now the utility company has announced that Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, directed that the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) project be recognised as "nationally significant". Leonie Dubois, left, Thames Water's head of engagementUnder the Planning Act 2008, Thames Water will need to seek planning approval at national level, submitting an application for a Development Consent Order in 2026. The announcement comes as the plan for the reservoir is about to be the subject of a judicial review. GARD's (Group Against Reservoir Development) sister company Saferwaters, and countryside charity CPRE Oxfordshire, launched the bid for the judicial review, and Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) will make the case for the reservoir. The hearing is expected to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Embankment tests for the new reservoirNevil Muncaster, Strategic Water Resources Director, Thames Water said: 'While we've always known our proposed reservoir is of national importance, the Government's recognition of its significance brings us one step closer to securing water supply for 15 million people across the South East. 'The right planning process and finance model is fundamental to securing our water future, delivering a cost-effective project for customers and safeguarding the environment. "Although this project has achieved national significance, local communities remain at the heart of our plans. We're committed to engaging with local people throughout the process, which is why I'd encourage everyone to attend our information events this summer. READ MORE: Fraudsters steal from motorists at car park "These sessions provide the perfect opportunity to learn more about our proposals, understand the benefits and to speak to the team." GARD spokesman Derek Stork said the latest Thames Water announcement was "not news": He added: "The SESRO Project has been a potential 'Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project' since the process of assessing these large water infrastructure projects was set up by government regulators in 2020. "To progress beyond a potential NSIP, the project must pass through a Development Consent Order (DCO) process, for SESRO this will take place in 2026/27. As the DCO has not happened yet, Thames Water cannot announce that anything has ' been accepted'. The 'local democracy' that has been bypassed in this case stems from the decision by Steve Reed to nod SESRO through to the DCO stage (again not news as it happened in August 2024) ignoring calls for a public inquiry." Mr Stork added: "It is this bypassing of local democracy which we are contesting at the High Court next week. Thames Water's latest announcement is to try and cloud the 'ether' around the court hearing." Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 'South East England is projected to face water shortages by 2030. That is why the Government is intervening in the public interest to speed up the planning process and unblock new reservoirs. 'This Government will secure our water supply for future generations while protecting the environment and unlocking the building of thousands of homes as part of the Plan for Change.' Didcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover said: "Many of my constituents have significant concerns about the impact of such a large reservoir on the environment, increased flood risk, and whether a reservoir is the most effective way to secure the region's water supply. This is why I have backed calls for a full public inquiry. "The water minister has postponed my meeting with her until after the upcoming court hearing about whether there should be a judicial review into the decision not to hold a public inquiry. I will be raising the significant local concerns and opposition to this project with her in person as soon as possible.'
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Abingdon reservoir plans 'nationally significant'
A plan to build one of the UK's largest reservoirs will be considered by the government, after it was designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure £2.2bn South East Strategic Reservoir Option, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is a Thames Water project to cope with increasing demand and climate decision to designate the proposal as nationally significant means it will be considered by the government, not the local planning Water, which plans to submit its proposal in 2026, says the new reservoir would secure water supply for 15 million people across southern England. Water Minister, Emma Hardy, said the government was "intervening in the public interest to speed up the planning process and unblock new reservoirs"."This Government will secure our water supply for future generations while protecting the environment and unlocking the building of thousands of homes as part of the Plan for Change," she added. In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicated government support for the Abingdon it has met with environmental objections from the Campaign to Protect Rural England - as well as from Oxfordshire County Council and Vale of White Horse District week a judicial review into Thames Water's proposals for the reservoir is set to take place at the High follows Environment Secretary Steve Reed's approval of the water company's Water Resource Management Plan - which includes the reservoir scheme - last Water's proposals would see the 150 billion litre (150 Mm3) reservoir cover 7 sq km (2.7 sq miles) of Oxfordshire water company said it would "unlock economic growth, support new housing and infrastructure development, and create around 1,000 jobs during its construction".It added that an independent company would finance and build the reservoir, which would "deliver better value for money" for customers. Nevil Muncaster, the company's strategic water resources director, said: "While we've always known our proposed reservoir is of national importance, the Government's recognition brings us one step closer to securing water supply for 15 million people across the South East.""Although this project has achieved national significance, local communities remain at the heart of our plans," he Water will be hosting four community information events next month to share updates and speak to local people about the company will also hold a statutory consultation later this year, ahead of its planning submission in 2026. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Mail & Guardian
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Mail & Guardian
Dry humour isn't funny
Dribs and drabs: Suburbs in the east of Joburg have spent eight days and counting without water. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy It is early on Monday morning and I wake to the sound of a rumble of thunder and a flash of lightning. This is followed by the unmistakable sound of raindrops on the roof. The promised cold front has arrived. Ignoring the icy cold I leap out of bed and rush outside barefoot to check that my primitive water collection system is in place. The old plastic rubbish bin and the vintage zinc bathtub have to be positioned correctly to catch the maximum amount of water running down from my leaking gutters. The reason for this frantic early morning activity is that our suburb is one of the many that have been affected by the ongoing water crisis. The east of Joburg has been particularly badly hit recently and I have not had water for at least eight days since the one day where there was a weak trickle from the taps. Before that there was no water for three or four days at a time and when there was water it was switched off at night in what Joburg Water terms 'throttling'. This violent-sounding nocturnal activity is to allow our much-abused reservoir to recover and fill to a level where at least some areas can get some water the next day. The result of this situation is that my vast collection of five-litre plastic bottles that I spent the summer months filling with rainwater has been depleted and flushing the toilet is becoming a problem. An attack by a nasty stomach bug that required multiple toilet flushings didn't help. So the unseasonal rainfall was perfectly timed but unfortunately it didn't last long and a pathetic amount of water was collected. Disconsolately I go back inside and check that there is enough water in the kettle for a cup of coffee, making sure to divert my eyes from the counter piled high with dirty dishes, pots, cutlery, glasses and mugs. To do the washing-up requires a visit to a friend's house to collect multiple bottles of water. Back home I must heat up water in the kettle and in pots on the stove to clear the unsavoury mess in the kitchen. Grudgingly I fill the dogs' water bowl while delivering a stern lecture on their reckless water consumption. I pour a small glass of water to wash down my blood pressure pills and make sure there is enough left to rinse after brushing my teeth. It is time for the first news diary meeting of the week and once again I tell my colleagues how lucky they are that this is a remote meeting and none of them have to be confined in a small office space with me. A daily shower in the morning is a distant memory so personal hygiene standards have dropped. There is a discussion about how the water crisis is a major story and we have to cover it. But we have done this so many times before that the problem is how to present it in a different way that will make people want to read it. There is no easy solution to this problem so I return to the kitchen in the hope that there is enough water in the kettle for a second cup of coffee. Like a moth to a flame I check on the Water Crisis: Time for Action WhatsApp group. There are 109 new messages, mostly from people saying that there is still no water in their street. There is a map with a growing red line marking the areas that don't have water. There are messages filled with angry words in capital letters. There are plans to hold protests and to visit the offices of those responsible for this shocking lack of basic services. There are many posts about the whereabouts of the elusive water tankers, and many pictures of people filling up containers. The unusual sight of people pushing wheelbarrows filled with plastic bottles down the tree-lined suburban streets has become a familiar one. And there are alarming stories about how air being pushed through the pipes keeps your meter ticking over even though there is no water. In among all this I come across an official statement: 'Today, MMC Jack Sekwaila conducted a site inspection at the Alexandra Park Reservoir with Johannesburg water officials, including Ops GM Mzakhwe Mtshweni. The visit formed part of the city's efforts to accelerate water recovery in affected areas and assess the condition of critical pipeline infrastructure. During the inspection, severe blockages were discovered — caused by illegal dumping, vandalism, and misuse of underground systems. In a concerning development, some underground chambers are being accessed and used as shelter by unhoused individuals, highlighting a deeper human and infrastructure crisis.' In desperate need of distraction I page through a cookery book looking for a new one-pot recipe to make for supper. Perhaps a hearty minestrone soup that the family can spoon from the communal pot. I need to shop for ingredients and the trip to the supermarket takes me down one of the main streets of the suburb. For more than a month it has been reduced to one lane by a series of large craters, the result of ongoing work to repair several sewage pipe leaks. It is not surprising to see nasty grey-green water bubbling up from a new hole in the road. The good news is that I have a gas stove to cook the meal on because there is another fault at the local substation and the power is out. At this stage it is like water off a duck's back.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Uranium discovered in Colorado's Chimney Hollow Dam, the largest built in United States in 20 years
Just weeks before completion of construction, Northern Water has confirmed uranium has been discovered at the site of the Chimney Hollow Reservoir and Dam. The project, which is expected to serve more than 1 million Colorado residents, has been in the making for decades. CBS For many, uranium is typically associated with nuclear weapons and power. The radioactive element was first detected at the end of 2024, however Northern Water was unable to determine the source of the uranium until recently. Now they know. It's coming from the rocks they used to build the 350-foot dam, which were mined from the very land they plan on flooding with water. "As we were building this dam, we were using rocks that were quarried on-site," said Jeff Stahla, spokesperson for Northern Water. CBS News Colorado's Dillon Thomas was taken into the project zone in 2024 where dozens of large trucks could be seen mining rock from the bottom of the future-reservoir. Trucks were moving more than 62,000 tons per day from the quarry to the dam. Now near-complete, the Chimney Hollow Dam is the fourth largest dam in Colorado and the largest built in the United States since the year 2000. Northern Water is now working with the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the levels of uranium being detected. Stahla said the water supplier wanted to be transparent with the community as quickly as they could be. CBS "We are looking to be finished with construction in the next six weeks. As we started to consider filling the reservoir, we wanted to make sure the public was aware of some of the conditions we found and that we are going to address them," Stahla said. Northern Water currently plans to begin filling the reservoir in August. Stahla said the discovery of the uranium is not enough to derail the project. "The concern about uranium is not about radioactivity or things people often associate with uranium. But, it is from the standard of long term ingestion," Stahla said. Stahla said the company is considering their options moving forward. Those include treating the initial fill of the reservoir or allowing the water do naturally do the work for them. Citing the reservoir's eventual capacity of hundreds of billions of gallons of water, Stahla said there is a possibility the initial fill of the reservoir will wash the uranium off the dam and dilute it. Eventually, as water cycles in and out of the reservoir, the concern of the uranium may not longer be an issue. "It is a strong possibility that these mineral levels will decrease far below the standards set by the EPA," Stahla said. Northern Water said they will continue to monitor the uranium levels moving forward and will work with health agencies to assure the drinking water that will one day fill the reservoir will be safe for consumption.
