On Tuesday 18th February, a High Court Judge will hand down a decision that will reverberate across the entire English and Welsh privatised water industry.
Ofwat and our government will be forced to feel more than just the tremors, even though they have so far been unforgivably looking the other way, and undoubtedly hoping that campaigners, the media, and public would do the same. We didn't, you didn't.
The biggest impact will of course be on the subject of the decision, Thames Water, its customers and everyone and everything affected by its activities and pollution, and what appears to us to be an unhealthily high number of financial interests, each hoping to benefit from Mr Justice Leech's decision.
Will the proposed restructuring plan and the super expensive £3billion loan be laid upon the company and therefore the customers and public, or will it not?
Will the company be pushed to Special Administration where public interest and sound resolution is a priority, or will it be left open to financial predation?
Thumbs up for the public interest, or thumbs down?
Unlike the gladiatorial setting, whatever the decision, this will probably result in an appeal from one or more of the parties. That, of course, may mean a trip to the appeal court, and very soon, because (surely unforgivably) the money is running out at the UK's biggest water company.
Thames Water is a monopoly selling an essential resource, with guaranteed access to 16 million customers and their money. A company that for many years has rewarded senior executives with obscene pay packages for 'doing such a great job' - for the shareholders - protected by price rises by Ofwat, is running out of money but still paying the dividends and bonuses.
We will be outside the court at 0930 when the decision will first be uploaded to the National Archive for public and media access.
The decision will then be formally handed down in Court by Mr Justice Leech at 1030 and some 'procedural stuff' will take place. There will be public access to the court and an 'overflow' (we made that joke last time) court but we are told the proceedings will be of 'limited interest' to most people. By that, we mean that after the big news, you may find it much more interesting outside.
Outside the court, Charlie Maynard, our MP, who has effectively represented the public, will talk about what the decision means and where we go next in this fight.
We will be joined by representatives from some of the many groups and councils that supported the principles of public interest set out in our letter; the Henley Mermaids, We Own It, River Action, the Angling Trust and the Heney River Action Group, to name a few early responders.
And we hope to see some of the many individuals and councillors who wrote to us but we do understand the effort (because we will be doing it) needed to get into London, especially at that time of day.
Not easy, but this will be an historic moment in the fight for our environment and to bring our water companies back to being water companies again, not cash machines.
Where will we be?
The High Court, 7 Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane, EC4A 1NL
When? Tuesday 18 February from 0930 to around 1100
If you are there, please come and say hello.
Just seen the decision at the High Court has gone in Thames Water's favour. Gutted. To add insult to injury, letter arrived today from them telling me that I must have a compulsory smart meter fitted as my region 'seriously water-stressed'. I wish I could walk away from this company after all they have done, or not done as the case may be. A big thank you though to everyone involved in representing the public at the court case, you could not have done anything more. Unfortunately 'the money' always wins!
Unlimited thanks to you Ash and the team for getting the country to understand what has been happening to our rivers and to value them properly, and creating united opposition to polluting them. The Windrush photos, taken ten years apart, are a heart-rending replica of what has happened to the Thames as it goes past my garden in Oxford over the same period - from having habitats suitable for minnows, small fry, damsel flies, dragonflies and large fish, it is now the colour of concrete, completely opaque and absolutely dead. We will think of you tomorrow. Please take heart! Katrina Robinson. I am a member please allow me to log-in.
Thames water and those in charge should be investigated for fraud. Because that is basically what has happened.
I hate to be specious but.... Are you writing about the OFWAT regulated "Thames Water Utilities Limited" or the unregulated owners of TWUL. From the numbers it looks as if the unregulated owners will be getting some undeserved relief. John Petersen, sewage customer only.
Hi Ashley ,
I am so proud of what you guys are doing and have done . I live many miles from the Windrush valley but consider it my home river due to my historical connections to the river and its valley and wildlife.
The decline has been appaling.