Guardian: London's water supply is at a 'knife-edge'
A report has revealed that Thames Water's operations are on the verge of collapse, putting the supply to 16 million customers at risk. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Thames Water is facing an impending operational collapse, jeopardizing water supplies for 16 million customers, according to a recent report from The Guardian.
The country's largest water provider has £23 billion worth of assets in urgent need of repair, with water supply in London and other regions sitting on a “knife-edge.” The report highlights the severity of the situation, citing management failures in addressing safety concerns and necessary upgrades to outdated IT systems.
The company's core infrastructure still utilizes software that dates back to the 1980s, raising alarms about its ability to deliver a consistent water supply. For years, Thames Water has been warned about deteriorating reservoirs and pipelines. Employees have described a frantic effort to maintain aging systems, often making temporary fixes and sourcing parts from other obsolete machinery. Despite these challenges, management and regulatory bodies have reportedly overlooked these critical issues.
In defense of its operations, a Thames Water spokesperson stated that “the wellbeing and safety of our colleagues and customers is our highest priority” and emphasized that the company provides “2.6 billion liters of water every day, rated among the highest quality of drinking water anywhere in the world.”
The report indicates that the financial situation at Thames Water is worse than previously thought, with the urgent need for repairs contributing to the £23 billion shortfall. Operational challenges further hinder the company's ability to ensure consistent access to clean water, with a senior source commenting, “Operations have been hollowed out and cut to the bone. We’re putting the public at risk by failing to invest in the most basic needs.”
To compound these issues, the company is grappling with £15 billion in debt and has indicated an inability to repay some of its lenders, worsening its capacity to address urgent maintenance issues.
A spokesperson from the UK water regulator Ofwat remarked that the investigation revealed “serious allegations” against Thames Water and affirmed that they would “take action if there is evidence of breach of the company’s obligations.” They stressed the importance of all water providers ensuring a safe and reliable water supply.
Additionally, Ofwat noted that Thames Water had requested a “substantial increase in expenditure, including to address issues of asset health,” mentioning that it is currently reviewing this request, with a final funding decision expected in December.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
The country's largest water provider has £23 billion worth of assets in urgent need of repair, with water supply in London and other regions sitting on a “knife-edge.” The report highlights the severity of the situation, citing management failures in addressing safety concerns and necessary upgrades to outdated IT systems.
The company's core infrastructure still utilizes software that dates back to the 1980s, raising alarms about its ability to deliver a consistent water supply. For years, Thames Water has been warned about deteriorating reservoirs and pipelines. Employees have described a frantic effort to maintain aging systems, often making temporary fixes and sourcing parts from other obsolete machinery. Despite these challenges, management and regulatory bodies have reportedly overlooked these critical issues.
In defense of its operations, a Thames Water spokesperson stated that “the wellbeing and safety of our colleagues and customers is our highest priority” and emphasized that the company provides “2.6 billion liters of water every day, rated among the highest quality of drinking water anywhere in the world.”
The report indicates that the financial situation at Thames Water is worse than previously thought, with the urgent need for repairs contributing to the £23 billion shortfall. Operational challenges further hinder the company's ability to ensure consistent access to clean water, with a senior source commenting, “Operations have been hollowed out and cut to the bone. We’re putting the public at risk by failing to invest in the most basic needs.”
To compound these issues, the company is grappling with £15 billion in debt and has indicated an inability to repay some of its lenders, worsening its capacity to address urgent maintenance issues.
A spokesperson from the UK water regulator Ofwat remarked that the investigation revealed “serious allegations” against Thames Water and affirmed that they would “take action if there is evidence of breach of the company’s obligations.” They stressed the importance of all water providers ensuring a safe and reliable water supply.
Additionally, Ofwat noted that Thames Water had requested a “substantial increase in expenditure, including to address issues of asset health,” mentioning that it is currently reviewing this request, with a final funding decision expected in December.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
