London's backup water plant sits idle as drought pushes the Thames to critical lowsIn London, the Thames has fallen to a level at which Thames W...
Published by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
London's backup water plant sits idle as drought pushes the Thames to critical lows
In London, the Thames has fallen to a level at which Thames Water is permitted to use the only large-scale desalination plant on mainland Britain.
Yet the backup source cannot be used because the plant meant for drought emergencies is not operating.
Here's what to know
England entered drought status on July 29, and flows at Teddington in southwest London have stayed far beneath the level that triggers use of the Beckton site, according to New Scientist.
Thames Water's plan allows the plant to run once two conditions are met: a drought declaration and Thames flows under 3,000 megaliters per day. Recent data put readings at 220 megaliters per day, which is below even the 300 megaliters per day target river flow agreed with the Environment Agency during the drought.
Built at a cost of £250 million and opened in 2010, the Beckton plant was intended to provide drinking water during severe droughts by treating brackish Thames water. It can produce up to 100 megaliters per day, or about 4% of Thames Water's daily supply, New Scientist said.
Technical faults have taken it out of service, including damage to the filtering membranes.
That limited availability stands out even more because officials have described the drought as "exceptionally serious," per New Scientist. The plant has run just five times, reportedly supplying the equivalent of only seven days of drinking water to London.
Severe droughts can strain drinking water systems, jeopardize sanitation, damage crops and ecosystems, and drive up costs for households and businesses. When water supplies tighten, the effects can ripple through public health, community safety, and economic stability, especially in major urban areas that rely on aging infrastructure.
The river's low volume is also an ecological issue. At Teddington, Thames Water normally targets 800 megaliters per day to limit withdrawals that could harm the Thames and nearby habitat, according to New Scientist. When flows fall far below that level, wildlife and water quality can come under added pressure.
What's being done?
Thames Water says it is trying to restore the plant. In its draft 2027 drought plan, the company says it's replacing plant membranes and other damaged equipment.
Even after repairs, the plant would not provide an immediate boost. Thames Water's own drought planning suggests it could need one to one-and-a-half months to reach full output. That would limit how quickly it could ease pressure on reservoirs and other water sources.
"Preparations are under way at the Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works in Beckton, east London, so it can be brought online by the end of the year, if needed, to help support reservoir recovery over the winter," a Thames Water spokesperson said in a statement, per New Scientist. "Any decision to use the desalination plant will depend on weather conditions, demand, and reservoir levels in the coming weeks."
In London, the Thames has fallen to a level at which Thames Water is permitted to use the only large-scale desalination plant on mainland Britain.
Yet the backup source cannot be used because the plant meant for drought emergencies is not operating.
Here's what to know
England entered drought status on July 29, and flows at Teddington in southwest London have stayed far beneath the level that triggers use of the Beckton site, according to New Scientist.
Thames Water's plan allows the plant to run once two conditions are met: a drought declaration and Thames flows under 3,000 megaliters per day. Recent data put readings at 220 megaliters per day, which is below even the 300 megaliters per day target river flow agreed with the Environment Agency during the drought.
Built at a cost of £250 million and opened in 2010, the Beckton plant was intended to provide drinking water during severe droughts by treating brackish Thames water. It can produce up to 100 megaliters per day, or about 4% of Thames Water's daily supply, New Scientist said.
Technical faults have taken it out of service, including damage to the filtering membranes.
That limited availability stands out even more because officials have described the drought as "exceptionally serious," per New Scientist. The plant has run just five times, reportedly supplying the equivalent of only seven days of drinking water to London.
Severe droughts can strain drinking water systems, jeopardize sanitation, damage crops and ecosystems, and drive up costs for households and businesses. When water supplies tighten, the effects can ripple through public health, community safety, and economic stability, especially in major urban areas that rely on aging infrastructure.
The river's low volume is also an ecological issue. At Teddington, Thames Water normally targets 800 megaliters per day to limit withdrawals that could harm the Thames and nearby habitat, according to New Scientist. When flows fall far below that level, wildlife and water quality can come under added pressure.
What's being done?
Thames Water says it is trying to restore the plant. In its draft 2027 drought plan, the company says it's replacing plant membranes and other damaged equipment.
Even after repairs, the plant would not provide an immediate boost. Thames Water's own drought planning suggests it could need one to one-and-a-half months to reach full output. That would limit how quickly it could ease pressure on reservoirs and other water sources.
"Preparations are under way at the Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works in Beckton, east London, so it can be brought online by the end of the year, if needed, to help support reservoir recovery over the winter," a Thames Water spokesperson said in a statement, per New Scientist. "Any decision to use the desalination plant will depend on weather conditions, demand, and reservoir levels in the coming weeks."
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