Water pipeline to preserve Kennet

The Environment Agency has raised concerns about the future of the river if water continues to be taken from it to supply nearby towns, including Swindon.

There are fears that if water continues to be taken, wildlife – such as water voles and brown trout – which rely on the river may be under threat.

To combat the problem, Thames Water is proposing to build a new 18-kilometre pipe linking Swindon with Farmoor Reservoir, which draws its water from the Thames.

The pipe would stretch from the reservoir, which is located just outside Oxford, and enter via South Swindon.

Plans have been submitted to both Swindon and Wiltshire councils for the pipe’s construction, which would cost around £25 million and take about 18 months to build.

As it stands, water is taken from the River Kennet, which is listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is one of only 200 chalk streams in the world, at Axford and Ogbourne treatment works.

The news has been welcomed by those who have campaigned for the Kennet to be preserved.

Charlotte Hitchmough, director of Action for the River Kennet, said: “We are very excited to see this project really starting to happen now. It will provide protection for one of England’s best-loved chalk streams, and we look forward to seeing a healthier river from 2016.”

The Environment Agency announced in July that it was making changes to Thames Water’s abstraction licence from April 2017. Reductions for the Kennet are part of a national programme to help restore sustainable abstractions, the removal of water from natural sources, across England.

The proposed 20-inch in diameter pipeline will mean Thames Water can stop taking groundwater from the River Og area, which feeds into the Kennet, and reduce by half the amount of groundwater it takes out of the Kennet catchment at Axford.

Sally Coble, environment planning and engagement manager at the Environment Agency, said: “The proposed pipeline will help to improve the River Kennet chalk stream and protect the important habitat and wildlife it supports.

“The River Kennet is just one example of the Environment Agency’s programme of abstraction licences under review across the country.

“Our programme will improve water levels in rivers, lakes and marshes, enhance wildlife habitats and help protected species.”

When completed, the pipeline will go underneath the M4 and railway line and pass through the Honda car plant where Thames Water will trench share with Southern Electric who are carrying out mains cable laying work.

Steve Tuck, Thames Water’s abstraction manager, said: “We’re always conscious of the need to provide our customers with a reliable source of water while protecting the environment. We’re really pleased to be building a new pipeline that will help us do both.

“We agree with the Environment Agency and Action for the River Kennet that we need to reduce our reliance on the Kennet and believe this pipeline will help to ensure a healthy future for this very important chalk stream, which gives so much pleasure to so many people.”