Could Waverley’s water shortages soon become a distant nightmare?

Thames Water has confirmed that over half of Guildford’s new water transfer pipe is in place, with 5.8km now installed. The company is laying approximately 9km between Pewley Reservoir in west Guildford and Netley Mill water treatment works in east Guildford. 

Waverley residents well remember the Netley Mill Saga, which led to repeated shortages and frequent visits to bottle banks.

Waverley Council hosts a public meeting on water outage on December 8.

Water outages continue in Waverley & Guildford continues.

Following periods of interrupted water supply, for which Thames Water was heavily criticised, the company says that the new pipeline will help to keep the taps flowing for local people whose water is currently only supplied from Netley Mill water treatment works, including customers living in Cranleigh and the surrounding villages. By providing an additional source of water to residents in these areas, the company says that the new pipeline will help keep the taps flowing for local people whose water is currently only supplied by Netley Mill water treatment works.  

Thames Water said in a statement:

“The project is on track to complete in time for winter 2025 and will transfer up to 14 megalitres of water per day, equivalent to almost six Olympic swimming pools. 

“As construction progresses, work will begin to lay pipe at Pewley Hill and Pewley Down between the villages of Albury and Shere. Access will be maintained for local people, dog walkers, runners, and those wishing to visit Pewley Downs throughout the work. 

Paul Wetton, Thames Water’s strategic programme director for water, said:

“We’ve made significant progress in improving resilience and reliability to water supply across the 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 backup source of water for our Cranleigh customers and those in surrounding villages.”