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Thames to Southern Transfer Project
We're planning to build a new water supply works and a new pipeline capable of transferring 120-million litres of water per day to help keep Hampshire’s taps and rivers flowing. In the longer term, the project will be capable of providing water to almost one million people.
Thames to Southern Transfer Project
Why do we need this water transfer project?
According to the Environment Agency, the South East needs to find an extra 2.5 billion litres of water a day by 2050 to maintain supplies. That’s why we’re investing in new sources of water, such as the Thames to Southern Transfer project that will allow us to move water from a new reservoir in Oxfordshire and transfer it to our supply in Hampshire, where it’s needed.
It’s one of a number of projects that will help secure future water supplies and reduce our reliance on Hampshire’s rare and delicate chalk stream rivers - the Test and Itchen - helping to protect these vital habitats, especially during droughts when river levels are low.

Our water supply works
We plan to build a new water supply works to treat the water taken from a planned new reservoir in Oxfordshire before being transferred to our supply network. This will be built on land to the west of the A34 near Drayton, next to the new reservoir at the point where water is taken.
The reservoir, known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) is being developed by Thames Water, with contributions from Southern Water and Affinity Water. It’s expected to be complete by 2040 and will be capable of holding 150 billion litres of water.

The new pipeline
Following treatment at the water supply works, water would then be pumped through up to 85km of new pipeline to several connections in Hampshire. Connections will also be provided to Thames Water at Newbury and South East Water at Basingstoke.
Over the next several years, we will be running detailed investigations and assessment to find the best route for the new pipeline. We’ll also be speaking to the local community in detail about our plans and running a formal consultation.

Our proposed plans
We are working with Thames Water and South East Water on these proposals and this page may change as the options are developed further.

South East reservoir
South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) – a new reservoir proposed by Thames Water in Oxfordshire. This will be the water source for the Thames to Southern Transfer Project.
Water supply works
A new water supply works will be located on land next to the new reservoir. It will treat the water from the reservoir to drinking water standards before being sent into supply.
Water connection point
A connection for a future pipeline from the new Thames to Southern Transfer pipeline to Thames Water’s Kennet Valley water resource zone.
Water spur
A new connection and pipeline to our Kingsclere water resource zone.
Water spur
A new connection and pipeline to our Andover water resource zone.
Water connection point
A connection for a future pipeline from the new Thames to Southern Transfer pipeline to South East Water’s water resource zone at Basingstoke.
Water connection
A new connection to our Winchester (North) water resource zone.
Water connection
A new connection to our Winchester (South) water resource zone.
South East reservoir
South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) – a new reservoir proposed by Thames Water in Oxfordshire. This will be the water source for the Thames to Southern Transfer Project.
Water supply works
A new water supply works will be located on land next to the new reservoir. It will treat the water from the reservoir to drinking water standards before being sent into supply.
Water connection point
A connection for a future pipeline from the new Thames to Southern Transfer pipeline to Thames Water’s Kennet Valley water resource zone.
Water spur
A new connection and pipeline to our Kingsclere water resource zone.
Water spur
A new connection and pipeline to our Andover water resource zone.
Water connection point
A connection for a future pipeline from the new Thames to Southern Transfer pipeline to South East Water’s water resource zone at Basingstoke.
Water connection
A new connection to our Winchester (North) water resource zone.
Water connection
A new connection to our Winchester (South) water resource zone.
The timeline
Here's a timeline of what we've done so far and how we plan to complete the project by 2040.
Technical documents
Gate 1
Filter by year:
RAPID Gate 1 Response to Query TST003
RAPID Gate 1 Response to Query TST002
RAPID Gate 1 Response to Query TST001
RAPID Gate 1 Submission – Thames to Southern Transfer SRO Concept Design Report
T2ST Strategic Environmental Report
T2ST Water Framework Directive Assessment
RAPID Gate 1 Submission – Thames to Southern Transfer SRO Water Quality Assessment Report
RAPID Gate 1 Submission – Thames to Southern Transfer Water Habitat Regulations Assessment
Gate 1 Submission for Thames Water to Southern Water Transfer
RAPID Gate 1 Submission – Thames to Southern Transfer Environmental Assessment Report
RAPID Gate 1 Response to Query TST004
RAPID Gate 1 Response to Query TST006
RAPID Gate 1 Response to Query TST008
RAPID Gate 1 Response to Query TST005
RAPID Gate 1 Response to Query TST007
Showing 15 out of 15
Gate 2
Filter by year:
RAPID Gate 2 Response to Query TST004
RAPID Gate 2 Response to Query TST005
RAPID Gate 2 Response to Query TST006
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Thames to Southern Transfer Covering Letter and Board Assurance Statement
TST003 Gate 2 Query - DPC Assessment
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Thames to Southern Water Transfer Detailed Feasibility and Concept Design
TST002 Gate 2 Query - Public Value Principle
TST001 Gate 2 Query - Efficiency Of Expenditure
T2ST Gate 2 Annex H - Efficiency Of Gate 2 Expenditure And Gate 3 Checkpoint 1 Planning Report
T2ST Gate 2 Annex A4 - Costs And Carbon Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex B2: Thames to Southern Transfer Informal Habitats Regulations Assessment
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex E: Thames to Southern Transfer Procurement Strategy Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex A3: Thames to Southern Transfer Concept Design Report
T2ST Gate 2 Annex D - Stakeholder And Customer Engagement Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex G: Thames to Southern Transfer Planning and Consent Strategy Report
T2ST Gate 2 Annex A2 - Route And Site Selection Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex B1: Thames to Southern Transfer Environmental Appraisal Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex A1: Thames to Southern Transfer Options Appraisal Screening Report
RAPID Gate 2 Final Decision – Thames to Southern Transfer
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex B4: Thames to Southern Transfer Strategic Environmental Assessment
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex B3: Thames to Southern Transfer Water Framework Directive Assessment
Showing 16 out of 21
Gate 2
Filter by year:
RAPID Gate 2 Response to Query TST004
RAPID Gate 2 Response to Query TST005
RAPID Gate 2 Response to Query TST006
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Thames to Southern Transfer Covering Letter and Board Assurance Statement
TST003 Gate 2 Query - DPC Assessment
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Thames to Southern Water Transfer Detailed Feasibility and Concept Design
TST002 Gate 2 Query - Public Value Principle
TST001 Gate 2 Query - Efficiency Of Expenditure
T2ST Gate 2 Annex H - Efficiency Of Gate 2 Expenditure And Gate 3 Checkpoint 1 Planning Report
T2ST Gate 2 Annex A4 - Costs And Carbon Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex B2: Thames to Southern Transfer Informal Habitats Regulations Assessment
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex E: Thames to Southern Transfer Procurement Strategy Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex A3: Thames to Southern Transfer Concept Design Report
T2ST Gate 2 Annex D - Stakeholder And Customer Engagement Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex G: Thames to Southern Transfer Planning and Consent Strategy Report
T2ST Gate 2 Annex A2 - Route And Site Selection Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex B1: Thames to Southern Transfer Environmental Appraisal Report
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex A1: Thames to Southern Transfer Options Appraisal Screening Report
RAPID Gate 2 Final Decision – Thames to Southern Transfer
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex B4: Thames to Southern Transfer Strategic Environmental Assessment
RAPID Gate 2 Submission – Annex B3: Thames to Southern Transfer Water Framework Directive Assessment
Showing 16 out of 21