Steventon Oxfordshire Village WebThames Water's Proposed Reservoir
Thames Water’s plans to build a reservoir first became public knowledge in 1990 when the daily papers carried drawings showing the proposed reservoir site in Steventon and nearby parishes.
We understand that investigations to find a reservoir site began in the 1960s before Thames Water plc existed.
The proposal has always been dogged by the fact that the water leakage has always been at least twice as high as the yield of the proposed reservoir. The cases that Thames Water has advanced over the last twenty or so years to support their alleged “need for a reservoir” have never convinced the Parish Council, the Vale of White Horse Council, the Oxfordshire County Council, OFWAT or the Environment Agency that there is in fact a proven need.
As a result of the period of time involved and the number of attempts made by Thames Water to obtain permission to include a reservoir in its plans some people are suggesting that Thames Water sees a reservoir as a means to make a large perpetual profit. Customers would have to pay interest on any loan, pay off the £1B capital cost and give Thames Water a return on the £1B capital involved, the payments would of course apply whether or not the reservoir was needed.
The current 25 year plan includes a reservoir that has half the working capacity of the one proposed in 1993, however it should be remembered that it is a volume being considered so if you halve all the dimensions you have only one eighth of the capacity. The Thames Water proposed reservoir may therefore not seem much smaller than the reservoir proposed in 1993. (insert link to image)
The Parish Council’s main concerns are –
- There is no proven need for a reservoir in the next 25 years.
- The possibility of ground water changes increasing the flooding risk.
- The risk of floods caused by run-off from the embankments.
- We are concerned about the safety implications of an above ground reservoir so close to the local villages, exacerbated by the elevated ground to the south and the A34 embankment which would lie between the proposed reservoir and the River Thames.
- We are concerned that visitors to any reservoir constructed would increase the local levels of pollution, noise, CO2, SOx and NOx.
- We are concerned about micro-climate changes resulting from the surface area of water and about flies.
- Noise, dust and vibration seriously affecting hundreds of properties for many years during construction.
- Traffic levels on the A34 becoming even worse than at present, resulting in more accidents and more frequent diversion of traffic through Steventon & Drayton.
- Thames Water does not seem to be doing enough to help and encourage customers to decrease their demand for water or to decrease the current leakage levels. There is a potential conflict of interest with regard to reducing leakage as the leakage is currently about three times as high as the estimated yield of the proposed smaller reservoir. That means that reducing leakage alone could in theory make a reservoir unnecessary.
A Public Inquiry called by DEFRA into Thames Water’s 25 year plan will take place in Oxford starting on 15th June 2010. This Inquiry is to decide if the Thames Water 25 year plan (which includes a reservoir) is fit for the purpose. If the Inquiry were to find that the plan was suitable it would effectively give Thames Water permission to lodge a planning application for a reservoir. The Inquiry is likely to feature expensive Barristers and only those persons/organisations that have already submitted proofs of case may speak. The Parish Council does not intend to give evidence at the Inquiry, we have however made a Representation which will be taken into consideration by the Inquiry.
Steventon Parish Council's representation is viewable in pdf format by clicking on the headings below: