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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.

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Thames to Southern Transfer Project

The Thames to Southern Transfer project has been officially recognised by the Government as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. This means it will follow a special approval process called a Development Consent Order that is designed for major infrastructure projects, helping us move forward more efficiently.

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.

A photo of John Robertson working on a platform pertruding above a body of water

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.

Man in PPE filling plastic bottle for testing

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.

Thames Pipeline Map
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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.

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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.

2019

In 2019 we published our Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP). This plan sets out what we can do to ensure a reliable water supply in the years ahead.

2021

In 2021 we submitted our Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) Gate 1 report, where we confirmed six feasible options to transfer water from Thames Water’s area to our Hampshire zone. RAPID gave approval to progress the project to Gate 2.

2022

In 2022 we submitted our RAPID Gate 2 report, where we confirmed two preferred options to transfer potable water from Thames Water’s area to our Hampshire zone. RAPID gave approval to progress the project to Gate 3.

2026

We’ll hold our first public consultation in 2026. This is so we can share our plans, route options for the new pipeline and hear your views.

2028

We’ll conduct another public consultation on the technical details of the pipeline route and associated infrastructure. This will also include a Preliminary Environmental Information Report which will detail potential environmental impacts.

2029

Development Consent Order submission expected.

2030

We hope to submit our planning consent application in 2030. As part of this, we’ll also be submitting an Environmental Statement which includes an assessment of the project’s environmental impact.

2031

This is when we expect to receive a decision on our planning consent application.

2034

Construction will begin on the project.

2040

We expect the new water supply works and pipelines to be operational, with water available once the source of water, a new reservoir in Oxfordshire, is built by Thames Water.

Technical documents

 

Gate 2

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