Thames Water has received government approval for its Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP), which includes the construction of a £2.4 billion reservoir near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, designed to supply up to 270 million litres of water per day to help address the region's water stress. The reservoir, known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), is part of a 50-year strategy aimed at ensuring a sustainable water supply amid increasing population pressures and climate change challenges. The plan also includes a new water recycling facility in Teddington and initiatives to reduce water leakage and daily usage by 2050. Despite facing local opposition, the plan was backed by extensive public consultations and aims to significantly lower reliance on groundwater sources. Critics, including local campaigners, have raised concerns about the reservoir's environmental impact. Thames Water's CEO emphasized the importance of this approval for securing water supplies for millions in the South East and pledged investments in infrastructure to meet future demands.