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<p>During 4 and 5 November, the effects of Storm Ciarán caused Thames Water’s Shalford
Water Treatment Works in Guildford to shut down. Approximately 20,000 properties in
Guildford had their water supply disrupted. Most properties were back on supply on
8 November and mains water supply has now been restored to all impacted properties.</p><p>
</p><p>Defra officials were in close contact with Thames Water throughout the incident
to ensure appropriate support was provided to impacted customers. This included the
opening of three bottled water stations, and regular deliveries to vulnerable customers.</p><p>
</p><p>On 9 November Defra’s Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, spoke with Cathryn
Ross, joint CEO Thames Water, to discuss lessons and seek assurances that further
mitigations will be implemented to avoid future incidents. This was followed up with
a further conversation on Tuesday Nov 14. Thames Water is also producing a detailed
report for the Drinking Water Inspectorate, who will undertake a full assessment.</p><p>
</p><p>Ensuring water companies have strong levels of resilience is a Government priority,
as set out in our Plan for Water published in April 2023. Earlier this year, regional
water resources groups and water companies, including Thames Water, consulted on their
draft Water Resource Management Plans. Within their plans, water companies must consider
all options, including demand management and water resources infrastructure for at
least the next 25 years.</p><p> </p><p>Water companies are also using the £469 million
made available by Ofwat in the current Price Review period (2020-2025) to investigate
strategic water resources options, which are required to improve the resilience of
England’s water supplies. Ofwat also recently announced that water companies are bringing
forward £2.2 billion for new water infrastructure delivery, over the next two years,
with £350 million worth of investment in water resilience schemes. Thames Water has
committed to invest in building a new 9km water transfer pipeline to connect parts
of the Guildford area to an alternative source of water. Works are scheduled to start
in early 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The Government and regulators will continue to closely
monitor Thames Water’s performance and will not hesitate to hold them to account if
they fall short.</p>
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