Thames Water Warns of ‘Rapid Flooding’ Risk to 37,000 London Basement Properties

Britain’s biggest water company, Thames Water, has warned 37,545 basement properties in London are at risk of “rapid flooding” because they are located near ageing water trunk mains. In the asset health deficit document, which has been posted online, the firm says its ageing infrastructure poses, “a risk to public safety, water supply and the environment.” Thames Water says much of its £19 billion of assets—including water pipes, sewers, and sewage works—are in a “poor” or “failed” condition and are “no longer capable of reliably performing their function.” Bursts of sewage mains have increased by 70 percent over the past seven years, according to the document, because they have “reached the end of [their] estimated serviceable life.”...