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| Reservoir 'biggest in 25 years' | Reservoir 'biggest in 25 years' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Britain's "leakiest" water supplier Thames Water has announced plans to build a £1bn reservoir to meet increased water demand. | Britain's "leakiest" water supplier Thames Water has announced plans to build a £1bn reservoir to meet increased water demand. |
| Thames said the site near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, would be the biggest built in the UK in 25 years, holding 150 million cubic metres of water. | Thames said the site near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, would be the biggest built in the UK in 25 years, holding 150 million cubic metres of water. |
| The plan could mean customers paying more for their water, while some people could be forced to move home. | The plan could mean customers paying more for their water, while some people could be forced to move home. |
| Water watchdog Ofwat has described Thames as the UK's leakiest supplier. | Water watchdog Ofwat has described Thames as the UK's leakiest supplier. |
| THAMES WATER Population supplied: 8mDaily supply: 2,822m litresMains pipe: 31,416kmLeakage: 895m litres/day (253 litres/property/day)Supply source: 83% surface, 17% ground. | |
| The reservoir, planned for farmland near Abingdon, would supply an extra 350 million litres of water a day. | The reservoir, planned for farmland near Abingdon, would supply an extra 350 million litres of water a day. |
| Despite its huge size - it would hold about half the volume of water of Lake Windermere - the amount falls far short of the estimated 900 million litres a day being lost through leaky pipes under the streets of London. | Despite its huge size - it would hold about half the volume of water of Lake Windermere - the amount falls far short of the estimated 900 million litres a day being lost through leaky pipes under the streets of London. |
| Thames Water said the plan meant customers would have to pay higher prices, or face an increased risk in hosepipe bans and water restrictions. | Thames Water said the plan meant customers would have to pay higher prices, or face an increased risk in hosepipe bans and water restrictions. |
| People living between East Hanney and Steventon would also be affected, with the company warning of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs). | People living between East Hanney and Steventon would also be affected, with the company warning of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs). |
| Richard Aylard, Thames' environmental director, said: "I have huge sympathy for the people living there. No doubt some will not want to leave. | Richard Aylard, Thames' environmental director, said: "I have huge sympathy for the people living there. No doubt some will not want to leave. |
| The new reservoir will be located south of Abingdon in Oxfordshire | |
| Leakage loss | Leakage loss |
| "We have spoken to the people in the area, saying if they are interested in selling, we want to buy." | "We have spoken to the people in the area, saying if they are interested in selling, we want to buy." |
| But he said he hoped CPOs could be avoided. | But he said he hoped CPOs could be avoided. |
| A public consultation on the plans began on Thursday and lasts until November. | A public consultation on the plans began on Thursday and lasts until November. |
| It marks the first of three stages of consultation, looking at future demand for water and the best location for a reservoir. | It marks the first of three stages of consultation, looking at future demand for water and the best location for a reservoir. |
| Plan welcomed | Plan welcomed |
| The second stage will concentrate on the design of the site, and the third its environmental impact. | The second stage will concentrate on the design of the site, and the third its environmental impact. |
| If the scheme is approved at a public inquiry, construction is likely to begin in 2011 and is due to last about eight years. | If the scheme is approved at a public inquiry, construction is likely to begin in 2011 and is due to last about eight years. |
| The Consumer Council for Water said it welcomed the plan, but warned it was not the sole solution to the region's water resource problems. | The Consumer Council for Water said it welcomed the plan, but warned it was not the sole solution to the region's water resource problems. |
| "Thames Water must continue to reduce leakage faster and further than it has in the past, and consumers must continue to use water sensibly," it said. | "Thames Water must continue to reduce leakage faster and further than it has in the past, and consumers must continue to use water sensibly," it said. |