The Teddington Direct River Abstraction (DRA) is a drought resilience project for London. It is intended to secure additional supplies of water for the capital during periods of prolonged dry weather. Water could be abstracted from the River Thames close to Teddington Weir and conveyed via a short new section of tunnel to an existing tunnel called the Thames Lee tunnel connecting this part of Southwest London with a reservoir in Lee Valley. The water drawn from the river would need to be replaced and to do this Thames Water Authority would use highly treated recycled water from a new facility at Mogden Sewage Treatment Works in Isleworth.

This is of major concern to Petersham residents, where there would be a new construction on the river with negative impacts on the community, both residents and recreational users of the river. Another concern among objectors has been the construction of escape shafts along the alignment of the tunnel that discharges treated water from the Mogden Sewage Works into the river.  Revised plans show a larger tunnel which obviates the need for escape shafts.

Respondents have also objected on the basis of the need for the project, a lack of trust in Thames Water and its ability to design construct and operate the project safely, and the quality and composition of the treated water being discharged into the Thames.

This last point is the one which might most affect the residents of East Sheen and Mortlake. Perhaps the most significant factor is the lack of trust in the Mogden Sewage Works precisely because of their poor practice in discharging sewage into the main river system. This can happen when the Works cannot cope with the water they receive.

The presenters at the public consultation at York House this week spoke openly about the project. Given climate change the probability of drought from time to time must be considered high. The project looks to provide a sensible solution for potential London wide problems. Reservoirs seem to pop up all over the place to serve the water needs of distant populations.

The disadvantages for the local population may need addressing but they are hardly at the same level as the proposals for development at Mortlake.

The bottom line for DRA is thus perhaps whether there is a guarantee that the treated water is safe.