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Thames Water Starts GBP20 Million Project to Protect East London Water Supply

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Thames Water is working to upgrade original Victorian water pipes, bringing them up to date for the 21st century.

  • Thames Water is investing GBP20 (USD25.2) million upgrading over 1,300 metres of ageing water mains pipes in East London  
  • The work will take place on Mile End Road and Burdett Road in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets  
  • The investment will reduce leaks and protect future water supply for thousands of Londoners  
Thames Water engineer works to replace mains pipe (Photo: Thames Water)

The work begins on 4 March 2024, outside Mile End tube station, where the UK’s largest water company is working to upgrade original Victorian water pipes, bringing them up to date for the 21st century.   

The GBP20 (USD25.2) million project will involve a 12-week lane closure on Mile End Road, where engineers will rehabilitate and replace 962 metres of ageing pipe. Thames Water is also replacing 391 meters of mains pipe on nearby Burdett Road. The company will carry out the upgrades in phases from March 2024 until 2026.  

Martin Padley, London Water Director, Thames Water, said, “It’s critical that we continue to upgrade our leakiest water pipes across the capital and our multi-million-pound upgrade at Mile End Road will help us do just that.  

With London’s population forecast to grow to 12 million by 2050 and the UK set to experience more extreme heat events, we need to act now to protect this precious resource and keep the taps running for Londoners.

Martin Padley, London Water Director, Thames Water

Over 95 per cent of leaks are hidden underground, which is why the company also continues to invest in new technology to detect leaks before they are visible, including using AI to identify the size and scale of leaks.  

Thames Water is also rolling out a further 33,000 smart metres across London, with the near-real time readings helping to locate leaks on customers properties.