Thames Water

	(16/July/2011) Thames Water held an Open Day at the Coppermill Water Treatment Works in Coppermill Lane, E17, on Saturday, July 16, 2011, when guidied tours were available. Although St Swithun's Day (the day before) had been fairly dry, the day Thames Water chose was very wet so umbrellas and wet weather clothing were the order of the day.
	Coppermill's Water Treatment Works was opened in 1972 and provides drinking water for over 1.5 million people. Water is pumped from the Lea flood relief channel and the New River. It is stored in 12 reservoirs that feed the water treatment works. The reservoirs are of international importance for wildfowl and have one of the largest inland heronries in Great Britain. Walthamstow Reservoir is one of London's biggest fisheries, offering coarse and fly fishing. During the walk round officials were saying that it costs on average a penny for a bucket full of water produced by the plant.