The second of a two-part documentary on Thames Water airs tonight, Tuesday 18 March, at 9pm on BBC Two.
The documentary, called Thames Water: Inside the Crisis was filmed over six months, and features exclusive behind-the-headlines access to Britain’s largest water company as it battles for survival.
Filmmaker and Director Barnaby Peel was allowed full access to Thames Water, following key characters, from the CEO Chris Weston and the new management team to the men and women coping with a system under pressure.
The first episode follows CEO Chris Weston and his executive team as try to plug the 15-billion-pound hole in the company’s finances. They are months away from running out of cash. Thames Water says there is only one solution – an increase in customer bills. But can it persuade the regulator Ofwat – and the public – to agree to this?
In the second episode, we’ll see the company reach a crisis point. There are storms closing in, and flood waters spell trouble for the already-stretched company.
Tessa, the new director of waste, has major concerns about creaking infrastructure and the ability to stop serious pollutions and multimillion-pound fines.
Meanwhile, CEO Chris seeks emergency measures to keep the company afloat. Now only weeks away from running out of cash and with the company’s credit rating reduced to junk status, can he find anyone willing to bail Thames Water out?
Episode two of Thames Water: Inside the Crisis airs on BBC Two at 9pm on Tuesday 18 March and will be available on BBC iPlayer.
