Thames Water has appointed Arup and Binnies (Arup Binnies joint venture) as its Technical Partner to lead development proposals for a vital new reservoir near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, UK.

The South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) is planned for a site southwest of Abingdon. Thames Water’s Strategic Resource Options team, through a partnership, gains access to technical experts experienced in major infrastructure projects, including engineering, environmental assessment, planning, and land acquisition. The Arup Binnies joint venture, appointed after a competitive process, brings expertise from projects like the Thames Tideway Tunnel and Fens and Lincs Reservoirs. This joint venture will help prepare for a development consent order in 2026. If approved, the reservoir will secure water for 15 million customers by 2040.