Dear all,
I hope that you're well.
This evening you can feedback to Thames Water on their current investment plans. The links are below. It's 7 questions and takes about 10 minutes.
Thames Water have produced an investment plan for how they are going to get clean, plentiful water to homes and businesses, remove sewage, and clean up our rivers, and prevent floods. There is a consultation on it that ends soon. It's quite quick to feedback - I have put some possible responses below.
In my view, the document is strong on platitudes, PR, and very long term, vague investment plans. But very light on short or medium term, tangible investment plans. Thames Water are meant to massively reduce the amount of sewage going into our local rivers by 2030 as they are fragile chalk streams however I can find no evidence in all their documents of a credible investment plan to do this by 2030.
Here are links to their documents for anyone who is interested and also wants to feed back
Investment plan:
Feedback portal:
https://thames-wrmp.co.uk/hearing-your-views/
Feedback Form:
https://thames-wrmp.co.uk/hearing-your-views/feedback-form/#feedbackForm
Some possible responses to the consultation questions:
Question from Thames Water:
We've chosen to aim for the highest level of environmental improvements. This is supported by our regulators. We'll be tracking the benefits of our work as we carry it out and will adapt our approach as we learn more. Do you have any comments on our approach?
Possible Answer:
Your actions, plans and current outcomes do not appear to reconcile with 'highest level of environmental standards' thus it sounds like a hollow statement.
Having analysed in detail your plans for the Hogsmill catchment in which I am resident, I cannot see how your current plans can possibly cut pollution by 80%. There is no clear, costed, detailed plan to do this in the documents and 2030 is less than 7 years away now.
Question:
We've set out our plan for reducing demand, with government interventions, to achieve 123 litres of water per person per day on average. This is above the government's national target, but we think it's the right approach. We'll monitor and develop this by building on our learnings and evidence. Do you have any comments on our approach or suggestions for additional measures we could take?
Possible Answer:
It's hard to believe this target is achievable
Question:
Measures to reduce demand for water make up over 50% of our forecast shortfall by 2050. Some of the activity is untested and not within our direct control. Do you think this is the right approach? Should we plan for additional new sources of water in case these measures don't deliver the water we've forecast?
Possible Answer:
Yes, I think you need to plan to expand the system as you are unlikely to get these demand reductions
Question:
A new reservoir is an integral part of our best value plan for the South East. Do you have any comments on the size of a new reservoir?
Possible Answer:
No comment
Question:Do you have any comments on the new water source options included in our draft plan?
Possible Answer:
No comment
Question:
Do you think our draft plan represents the best value plan for you, your community and the environment?
Possible Answer:
I have no confidence in the plan in terms of the environment. There are no clear costed and timelined action plans which lead me to believe the plan will not be achieved.
Question:
Do you have any other comments on our draft plan?
Possible Answer
Thames Water are overflowing vast amounts of sewage into rivers right now. There needs to be a clear, costed and time boxed action plan to fix these issues with appropriate capital investment.
Until such a plan is made public everything else will just seem to be hollow words and PR spin aimed at saying the right thing in public but spending as little as possible in reality.
Just more profiting from pollution.
We need to see a clear investment plan now up to 2030 with projects, costings, benefits and timelines.
Very Best Wishes
Mark.