AFTER 16 years of controversy Thames Water's plans for the future including a huge reservoir three times the size of Farmoor and with half the capacity of Lake Windermere comes under public scrutiny this week.

At the Guildhall in Abingdon, the company has unveiled the first of a series of exhibitions outlining its plans to meet water demand over the next 20 years and beyond.

And key to its strategic plan is a reservoir costing more than £1bn between Steventon and East Hanney.

The exhibition will be the first of 16 during the next four weeks in Abingdon, Wantage, Steventon and East Hanney.

But exact details of the size, appearance and leisure uses of a proposed reservoir will not be revealed until the second phase of consultation early next year.

The first consultation phase will focus on what measures Thames Water are examining to meet the growing demand for water brought on by climate change, a growing population, house-building and economic growth.

All these factors are putting the region's water resources under pressure and the predictions are that water supplies will be insufficient within the next 25 years.

By the year 2030, Thames Water forecasts an extra 280 million litres a day will be needed for London and an extra 60 million litres a day for Swindon and Oxfordshire.

The vexed question of water leakage will be high on the agenda of reservoir critics. Thames Water loses a third of its supply and has the worst record of all water companies in repairing leaks and replacing worn out pipework. The company will show how much money it is spending on plugging the leaks in an ageing mains infrastructure, particularly in London. Extending water metering is another part of the company's strategy.

Importing supplies from water-rich areas in the north is also being examined as is a £200m scheme for a de-salination plant in the Thames estuary but that is running into problems with the environmental lobby because of the high energy consumption such a plant would demand.

Thames Water says even if leakages are plugged and other measures put in place a reservoir will still be needed to secure water supplies in the future. It is the company's preferred option using water pumped from the Thames near Abingdon.

The issue of a huge reservoir first surfaced in 1990. It disappeared following a public outcry but was resurrected six years ago.

Opponents of the reservoir call it a "massive in-land sea." They say stop the leaks and there will be no need for a reservoir and they say "importing" water from other regions should be examined. Although there is still a groundswell of opposition to the idea there are indications that the "anti-factor" may be diminishing.

A survey carried out this year by Steventon Parish Council indicated a feeling that a reservoir was beginning to look inevitable. And if that is the case then people think the Vale of White Horse District Council should squeeze the best possible deal out of Thames Water in what's called "planning gain" - developers pay towards improved roads and services including schools, libraries and local transport schemes.

Others see a reservoir as a major economic benefit for the county. It would act as a magnet for tourists. There would be sailing and angling and a haven for wildlife. The largely flat land is not heavily populated and lends itself to a large development.

But there are fears about noise and pollution during a lengthy construction programme. Soil would have to be dug out and materials such as aggregates brought in by road and rail putting pressure on local roads.

Thames Water is pursuing a new line in its efforts to obtain planning permission under a procedure under section 167 of the Water Industry Act of 1991 known as a CWO or Compulsory Works Order. It brings together various consents and authorisations and includes the compulsory purchase of land into one process.

But just like the conventional planning applications it will be considered through a public inquiry. The Government will have the final say.

WHERE THE WATER EXHIBITIONS ARE:

  • ABINGDON: THE GUILDHALL: Today, between 9am and 9pm, September 18, 9am-6pm, October 13, 9am-9pm and October14 between 9am and 4.30pm.
  • STEVENTON: VILLAGE HALL: Wednesday September 20 from 8.30am until 6pm, Thursday, September 21,1.30pm-6pm, Friday, September 22, 8.30am-5.30pm, Saturday, September 23, 8.30am -5.30pm and September 29 from 1.30pm until 9pm.
  • EAST HANNEY: WAR MEMORIAL HALL: Wednesday, October 4, 8.30am-9pm, October 5, 8.30am-9pm and October 6 between 8.30am and 9pm.
  • WANTAGE: CIVIC HALL: Tuesday, September 26, from 8.30am until 9pm, September 27, 8.30pm-9pm and September 30 between 8.30am until 6pm.