Thames Water is approaching the final stages of a £46 million pipeline initiative in Guildford, which is part of a broader investment exceeding £90 million aimed at ensuring the area’s water supply for future generations. These enhancements, featuring significant upgrades to water treatment facilities, will enhance reliability for thousands of households, safeguard local rivers, and bolster Guildford’s ability to withstand future supply disruptions and extreme weather conditions.
The £46 million project involves the installation of 9 kilometers of new piping linking the water supply from west Guildford to the east, stretching from Pewley Reservoir to Netley Mill Water Treatment Works. This initiative will ensure a continuous water supply for residents in Cranleigh and the nearby areas, with construction managed by Galliford Try, who are diligently working to protect the local environment and habitats along the pipeline route.
Additionally, a significant project to upgrade Shalford Water Treatment Works is currently in progress, prompted by the water supply outage in 2023. These improvements will greatly enhance the plant’s recovery capabilities after any future outages, along with upgrades to the disinfection systems. This project is scheduled for completion in 2028, with Thames Water investing £35 million into the site.
Moreover, nearly 5 kilometers of clean water pipes are set to be replaced along Guildford Road, an area that has faced frequent burst issues in recent years.
Paul Wetton, Thames Water’s Strategic Programme Director for Water, stated:
“Our mission is to provide essential services so that our customers, communities, and the environment can flourish.
“Since 2023, we have concentrated on enhancing the resilience and reliability of the water supply in Guildford and its surroundings. We have made significant upgrades to our water treatment facilities and are nearing the completion of the pipeline relaying between eastern and western Guildford.
These advancements will be crucial in preventing future supply disruptions in the local area.”
Thames Water is launching its most extensive network upgrade in 150 years over the next five years (2025-2030) as part of a £20 billion innovative program designed to enhance water and wastewater services for future generations. This upgrade will improve resilience against increasingly extreme weather patterns, address the ongoing challenges of population growth, and support economic development in the UK.
Source: Thames Water
