Mayor Launches £1.8bn Plan for Swimmable London Rivers
A ten-year strategy aims to restore wildlife habitats and improve water quality across the capital's waterways.
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Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan introduced a ten-year strategy on 30 July 2026, designed to improve the quality of the capital's rivers and waterways. The Clean Rivers and Waterways Plan aims to make these areas safe for swimming and to re-establish thriving environments for wildlife. The initiative has secured a total of £1.8bn in funding.
Funding and Commitments
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A substantial portion of the funding, £1.7bn, will be provided by Thames Water over a five-year period, dedicated to depolluting the city's water. City Hall is contributing an additional £2.7m to the plan. The strategy will initially concentrate on ten specific locations, including Lea Valley and Pymmes Brook in Enfield.
Sir Sadiq Khan attributed the current state of London's rivers to "decades of neglect" from both water companies and the public. He identified Thames Water as a primary contributor to sewage discharge into rivers but noted their agreement to invest in cleaning efforts. The mayor stated that in 2023, sewage discharge levels were five times higher than in 2022, a situation he described as unacceptable.
The plan intends to reverse the decline in river conditions by reducing pollution and reviving natural habitats. It also seeks to improve access for local communities. Sir Sadiq Khan highlighted the importance of public behaviour change, stating that Londoners must act as better custodians of the city's waterways and develop a similar appreciation for "blue spaces" as they have for green spaces.
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The mayor emphasised a collaborative approach, involving local authorities and community groups in maintaining the cleanliness of waterways post-depollution. He indicated that different organisations will lead specific actions, fostering mutual accountability. The launch event took place at the West Reservoir in Hackney.
Future Actions
The plan also acknowledges the role of infrastructure projects, such as the Thames Tideway Tunnel, which is expected to divert a significant amount of storm overflow from sewers. Sir Sadiq Khan expressed his satisfaction with the collaborative work undertaken with water firms over the past year to develop this strategy.
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