Mainland Britain’s sole large-scale desalination plant in London is currently out of service despite record-low river levels and a declared drought.
Key facts
- •The Thames Gateway desalination plant is mainland Britain’s only large-scale facility of its kind.
- •The plant has not been used at all in 2026 despite a drought declaration on July 29.
- •Current river flow rates at Teddington are approximately 220 megalitres per day, below the 3,000 megalitres per day threshold for plant activation.
- •Thames Water is currently replacing damaged equipment, including filtration membranes, to prepare the plant for potential use later this year.
- •The facility is designed to provide up to 100 megalitres of drinking water per day, or 4 per cent of the company's daily supply.
The Thames Gateway desalination plant in Beckton, London, remains idle despite the UK experiencing its driest July since records began. Although the facility was designed to provide drinking water during severe droughts, it has not been used at all this year. Thames Water reports that the plant is currently out of service due to technical issues, even as river flow rates in the Thames have dropped significantly below the threshold required to trigger its operation.
By the numbers
Operational Status and Technical Issues
The £250 million facility, which opened in 2010, is capable of producing up to 100 megalitres of water per day, representing approximately 4 per cent of Thames Water’s daily supply. However, the plant has only operated five times in its history, providing a total of seven days' worth of water. Thames Water’s 2027 draft drought plan indicates that the plant requires repairs, including the replacement of damaged filtration membranes. The company is currently working to bring the plant online by the end of the year to assist with reservoir recovery.
Drought Conditions and River Flow
A drought was officially declared in England on July 29, 2026, following the driest July for the Thames area since 1871, with only 1 millimetre of rainfall recorded. Data indicates that water flow rates at Teddington have dropped to approximately 220 megalitres per day, well below the 3,000 megalitres per day threshold that would typically allow the plant to begin production. These low flows have raised concerns regarding river health and oxygen levels.
Future Desalination Projects
The ongoing issues at the Beckton site coincide with efforts by other water companies to expand desalination infrastructure across England. Anglian Water is currently planning two facilities in Norfolk and Lincolnshire that would utilize seawater from the North Sea. Additionally, South West Water is developing plans for a desalination plant in Par, Cornwall, to manage increased water demand during summer months.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by New Scientist.
