A popular local swimming group targeted Thames Water for the second time over the weekend as they made their voices heard on the privatised water company's controversial plans to replace water from the River Thames with treated wastewater.

The Teddington Bluetits, a firm favourite in the community which currently boasts over 950 members and recently celebrated its two-year anniversary, set up camp at the Teddington Lock footbridge by The Anglers pub on Saturday morning.

The group from 11am - 1pm rallied with their placards as they chanted in unison and engaged with locals informing them of Thames Water's plans and how they can get involved with upcoming consultations, which have been added due to the overwhelming demand from MPs, councillors and residents.

The proposals from Thames Water would see up to 75 million litres of water drained a day from the Thames some 350 metres upstream of Teddington Weir, directly where the swimming group is based.

The extracted water would then be replaced with treated effluent from the Mogden Sewage Treatment Works.

Members of Teddington Bluetits during Saturday's protest at Teddington Lock (image supplied)

As well as the Teddington Bluetits, the stretch of the Thames targeted by Thames Water is home to a large sailing community, rowers, paddle boarders and families during the summer months who often make their way from Kingston.

A prime concern of the proposed scheme is the cost it will have on environmental and river life with its implementation resulting in a change in the water temperature and its chemical make-up.

The local swimming group have been relentless in their pursuit of Thames Water and targeted the company with a series of protests last month as it carried out filming for a new advert.

Just last week, the Teddington Bluetits were visited by the BBC for coverage on their campaign which has also seen a petition aiming to stop the new abstraction site being built above Teddington Weir signed by over 9,300 people.

Speaking to Nub News, Teddington Bluetits Founder Marlene Lawrence, said: "630 million litres are lost per day by Thames Water which amounts to 20% of water usage, it couldn't be more vital for us as a community directly affected by this scheme to hold the company to a standard where they aren't looking at every opportunity to pump effluent into our rivers."

Thames Water put forward the plans in its draft water management plan 2024, which looks at tackling future water shortages and boosting drinking water supply as the population grows and the risk of drought caused by climate change increases. The company estimates it will need an extra one billion litres of water a day for customers by 2075.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: "It's critical that we secure our water supplies for the future, which is why we have launched our draft water resources management plan 24 which sets out the actions and investment needed for the next 50 years. We're proposing to invest in several new strategic schemes that will provide water to the South East, including the new river abstraction at Teddington supported by water recycling.

"We're still in the very early stages of consultation and design. If the scheme is taken forward, there will be detailed option appraisal and design work, where we will carry out engagement and consultation with the local community.

"The scheme would not negatively impact the river water quality. The treated wastewater effluent taken from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works, would go through an additional stage of treatment to ensure there is no deterioration to the water quality in the river. Putting the recycled water into the river Thames above the Teddington Weir will compensate the river for the additional abstracted water and protect the environment and wildlife.

"The abstraction point also has several features to minimise the impact on aquatic life, boats, water activities and swimmers. The design would reflect best practice and be similar to intakes already in safe operation on the River Thames and elsewhere, and would comply with all relevant health and safety requirements."

Outline of the abstraction proposals from Thames Water (Credit: Thames Water)

The first of two added consultation events by Thames Water took place last night however Twickenham MP Munira Wilson was critical of the online webinar.

Addressing her Twitter followers, she wrote: "I'm in the Thames Water webinar on plans to take water out of the river at Teddington and replace it with treated effluent. It's so heavily managed, no transparency on questions asked and even some pre-prepared answers being read out. Not quite the open public meeting Cllr Julia Neden-Watts and I asked for."

A community information event will take place at York House on Friday 3 March between 2pm - 8pm, local residents can register to attend on the Thames Water website here.

The Teddington Bluetits plan to hold a further demonstration before the consultation period ends for the Thames Water scheme on March 21st.