Thames Water

Today, we have announced a proposed transaction to extend our liquidity runway by up to £3bn. It will enable us to continue with the planned investment and maintenance of our infrastructure, progress our equity raise, and complete the Final Determination process. This is an important step as we work towards increasing our long-term financial resilience, and is further positive progress of our turnaround following Ofwat’s improvement of our operational performance rating earlier this month. https://lnkd.in/ehg9enGS

In Ofwat’s assessment, our approach to supporting customers that need extra help was graded ‘exemplary’ across all five requirements – the only water company to achieve this result. However, we know there is much more still to do to achieve the new standards set for the industry. We’re committed to turning our business around to deliver the best service we can for customers, communities and the environment. The next big step will be the final draft of our Vulnerability Strategy in 2025 following our Final Determination.

We held a Remembrance Service at our Ashford Common Water Treatment Works, where we have two memorials inscribed with the names of our former employees who lost their lives in the two World Wars. Current and former Team Thames colleagues, including many with a military background, joined our CEO Chris Weston, who also served in the armed forces, for a wreath-laying ceremony. Representatives laid six wreaths on behalf of our military veterans, our wider body of colleagues, the Thames Water Retirement Association, the Royal British Legion, our trade unions and our partners and suppliers. Thames Water has a long history of recruiting armed forces veterans who bring valuable skills and expertise to our business so we're proud to honour those who sacrificed their lives and defended our freedom. #RemembranceDay #LestWeForget

Major milestone! Over half of Guildford's new water transfer pipe is now in place. Paul Wetton is our Strategic Programme Director for Water and gave this update on the project: “We’ve made significant progress to improve resilience and reliability to water supply across the Guildford area, carrying out a series of upgrades to our water treatment sites and laying over half of our new water transfer pipeline between east and west. “The Guildford area currently operates as an ‘island’ water supply zone and the new pipeline is particularly important in helping prevent future supply interruptions across the local area. Once complete it will create a back-up source of water for our Cranleigh customers and those in surrounding villages.” Huge thanks to our partner Galliford Try, carrying out the pipeline works on our behalf and working carefully to protect the local environment and habitats along the route.  Nearby, we're also making progress on several multi-million-pound site upgrades as part of our major water network overhaul across the Guildford area. We're improving the reliability of the water treatment process at our Shalford site, while investment at Mousehill water treatment works will increase the amount of water available. We've also installed a new power generator at our Ladymead site, along with control monitors at several of its booster sites to minimise the effect of power surges, reducing the risk of customers experiencing supply interruptions. All of this builds greater resilience and means a better service for our customers.

🚀 💩 Introducing Skidney the Pooperhero! 💩 🚀 I am thrilled to announce the release of my children’s book, “Skidney the Pooperhero.” I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch my narrated version here - https://lnkd.in/eedYyNUk. Hopefully you enjoy the Oscar-worthy performance 🏆 The book should soon be available for download from the Thames Water website – watch this space. The story begins when Sidney learns about the 3 Ps—pee, poo, and paper—and the importance of proper grease disposal during a school lesson. His adventure takes a twist when he meets a talking poo who urgently needs help defeating a menacing fatberg blocking the sewer. Transforming into Pooperhero Skidney, he embarks on a mission to tackle the fatberg and spread awareness about responsible waste disposal. Through his heroic efforts, Skidney helps create cleaner sewers and healthier rivers, paving the way for a brighter future for all. I firmly believe that early engagement with children is crucial for driving lasting behavioural change, especially as the risks of fatbergs and pollution continue to rise due to urbanisation, population growth, and climate change. We plan to use this book at Thames Water as an educational resource in schools and beyond, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards! The idea for this project began as a piece of coursework for my L7 MSc Apprenticeship in Sustainable Business at Coventry University. This course has allowed me to explore creative approaches to sustainability in ways I never expected. #childrensbooks #education #fatberg #wastewater #sustainability #environment #apprenticeship

It's right that we, and all water companies, should be open to scrutiny. Effective scrutiny is based on the facts, it supports high quality decision making and drives us towards better outcomes for all. In this blog, Water UK addresses some of the myths…

I had the pleasure of meeting with Keith Haslett, Affinity Water CEO and Lawrence Gosden, Southern Water CEO last week on our joint proposals for an essential new reservoir for the South East.   As our population grows and the effects of climate change continue to take hold, demand for water will increase. We’re serious about tackling water leakage and reducing consumption levels, but that alone isn’t enough. We must build more resilient infrastructure to avoid a future crisis.   We are working together – water companies, our regulators and Government – to develop new water storage and supply solutions. This issue is much bigger than the role of one team, one business or one region. We must all play our part.    Much like the Thames Tideway Tunnel, this reservoir is a nationally significant infrastructure project and Keith, Lawrence and I have a shared commitment to ensure it becomes a reality. I’m looking forward to continuing this collaboration to bring this vital project to life.   Southern Water Affinity Water

This Black History Month features the 10th anniversary of a landmark movement – Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC)’s Wear Red Day.       We proudly stand united against racism and are working alongside SRtRC to deliver training that raises awareness of these critical issues.     We look back earlier this month to #WearRedDay, where we wore red to show our solidarity and support while sparking vital conversations in the workplace about how we can all contribute to an inclusive and equal society.     The movement has come a long way in 10 years – from 7,000 participants in 2014 to over half a million in 2023 – and this year, SRtRC is hoping to reach one million. We’re proud to be involved and to take a strong stance against racism every day.       To find out more or take part next year, visit theredcard.org    #WRD24

Anyone granted refugee status in the UK has the legal right to work. Mentorship is one of the most effective ways for companies to help refugees integrate economically, providing practical support to navigate the labour market and expand professional networks. A skilled workforce supported by a robust education and skills system drives social mobility, promotes inclusion and provides good work for all. Team Thames colleagues volunteer as mentors through the Tent Partnership for Refugees, working one-to-one with Ukranian women refugees. Simon Adams, Programme Director in our Strategic Resource Options team, is among our volunteer mentors: "Personally, I have learned how difficult it can be to get an interview if you are unfamiliar with the standard processes in this country. As a mentor, I like to feel that, in a small way, I'm helping remove some of the road-blocks to people building their careers, which is incredibly rewarding, all while getting to know some incredible individuals. "As a business, we're benefitting from better equipping potential condidates to apply for some of the amazing jobs that will help secure our future water supplies." #NationalMentoringDay

Nearly 4 in 10 young people leave care on the day of their 18th birthday. Young care leavers supported by the charity Become have described the time around their 18th birthday as feeling like a “cliff edge”. There’s an expectation that they'll become independent at a much earlier stage than their peers.   Every young person needs support to thrive so, last week, care-experienced young people joined us on a jam-packed week of skills-building on our Next Step Forward Programme.   Each day focused on learning one new life skill and one new employability skill. From learning about electricals with our fantastic Technical Manager, Paul Gurney, to preparing five deliciously different meals using a single chicken at John Lewis Partnership. Our other partners on the programme, Mott MacDonald, Thorpe Park and Westcoast Limited have committed to support young people in our patch to build their network with local businesses, developing independent living skills and confidence in entering the job market.    #NCLW2024