Three water works in London are being recommissioned by Thames Water to help keep taps flowing across the capital following the dry spring and early summer period.
Thames Water sites in Brixton, Streatham and Battersea, which have been surplus to requirements in recent years, are all being switched back on to make sure there continues to be enough water to meet demand.
Several other redundant water works are also being readied so they can be brought into use if needed as Thames Water continues to invest additional funds to improve performance.
Storage levels in some of the company’s reservoirs have decreased following below average rainfall last winter and over the spring and early summer, plus increased demand for water during periods of hot weather in June and July put further pressure on resources.
The water company is now planning ahead in case the region experiences another dry winter - when there’s below average rainfall - to help boost supply next year and reduce the risk of water shortages.
Paul Wetton, water production manager at Thames Water, said:
“The dry weather we’ve had earlier this year has presented us with a big challenge as the lack of rain means levels in some of the rivers we source water from are lower than normal, and the hot weather means people use more water to drink, water their gardens and fill up paddling and swimming pools.
“Sadly it’s not a case of reservoir levels returning to normal as soon as the weather cools down and we have a few days of rain, and it can take some considerable time for us to build up our reserves again, which is why having these extra treatment sites and boreholes back up and running is so important.
“There’s also a drive to fix more leaks on our pipes to help conserve water too.”
During this year’s hot weather, Thames Water teams worked around the clock to make sure demand for water was met and no restrictions, such as hosepipe bans, were enforced.
Several other redundant water works are also being readied so they can be brought into use if needed as Thames Water continues to invest additional funds to improve performance.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.