Written question asked by Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 13 January 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 (named day). It was answered by Rebecca Pow (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 January 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

River Thames: Sewage

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the implication for his polices of Thames Water’s proposal to convey millions of litres of treated wastewater into the River Thames at Teddington Weir, including (a) potential health implications, (b) impact on biodiversity and (c) safeguards to protect water quality.

Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) has reviewed work undertaken by Thames Water to understand the risks and mitigation required for a Teddington Direct River Abstraction (DRA) scheme through the Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) gated process to ensure it meets stringent environmental standards. The EA is currently reviewing any proposals for new water resources options through the statutory Water Resources Management Plan consultation and more detailed assessment of Teddington DRA through the RAPID gated process.

Secondary information