{"id":26847,"date":"2025-03-17T06:11:40","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T06:11:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/?p=26847"},"modified":"2025-03-19T16:51:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:51:57","slug":"new-series-taps-into-crisis-at-beleaguered-thames-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/business-law\/new-series-taps-into-crisis-at-beleaguered-thames-water\/","title":{"rendered":"New series taps into crisis at beleaguered Thames Water"},"content":{"rendered":"

A mix of personal stories, behind-the-scenes footage, and poignant visuals help to convey the challenges faced by Thames Water, in a new OU\/BBC co-produced TV series starting on Monday 17 March 2025.<\/p>\n

The two-part series Thames Water: Inside the Crisis<\/strong><\/a>, will run on consecutive days and be shown on March 17 and 18 2025 at 9 pm on BBC Two and on BBC iPlayer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The documentary explores the \u00a315 billion + of debt of Thames Water and how the organisation is running out of cash, as well as grappling with Victorian infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Each episode introduces the audience to the people fighting to fix it, while navigating being ever-present in politics and public discourse.<\/p>\n

A wealth of drama, from the boardroom to the frontline<\/h2>\n

Filmed over six tumultuous months it tells the story of Britain\u2019s most beleaguered water company as it battles for survival.<\/p>\n

Thanks to exclusive inside access at Thames Water, this fascinating documentary covers a wealth of drama – from the boardroom to the frontline – capturing the troubled utility\u2019s attempts to fix everything from sewage spills to the multibillion-pound hole in its finances.<\/p>\n

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An engaging interactive accompanies the series<\/p><\/div>\n

Several themes are covered across the two programmes, including the financial aspect of a company struggling to stay afloat and avoid taxpayers footing the bill.<\/p>\n

At ground level, we see the embattled day-to-day operations to combat sewage spills, water shortages and failing machinery – just some of the relentless challenges faced by the company and its workforce.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the series examines some very real human aspects: from villages submerged in sewage to rowers falling ill in polluted rivers. The impact is tangible, with furious customers bearing the brunt of rising bills and environmental fallout.<\/p>\n

The Open University has two academic consultants on the series.<\/p>\n

Dr Yue Meng-Lewis<\/span><\/span><\/a> is a senior lecturer in digital marketing in the Faculty of Business and Law.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She said:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“As a researcher and educator in digital marketing, communication and branding, I explore how companies adapt and respond to technological, regulatory, and societal challenges. I am particularly interested in the complexity of leadership styles, business ethics, public trust, and accountability \u2014 issues that align closely with the themes of the series.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis OU-BBC co-production series offers a compelling exploration of Thames Water\u2019s financial and operational struggles, shedding light on the broader implications of corporate decision-making, regulatory oversight and consumer trust. I hope it inspires meaningful discussion and debates on the tensions between business sustainability, public service, and corporate responsibility.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Vicky Johnson<\/a> is a senior lecturer and Head of Department (Geography and Environmental Studies) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/p>\n

She said:<\/p>\n

“With my background in geography and environmental studies, I research and teach in these fields. I explore how human actions shape both the environment and society, and the related impacts on habitability.<\/p>\n

“My interests include the human impacts on water, including its quality, scarcity, surplus resulting from both local and global impacts.<\/p>\n

“The challenges of dealing with excess water due to climate change and development are seen within the programmes showing the complexity of the systems within which Thames Water operates.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Supporting Online Content:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect<\/a> where you can find steps to keep our water system healthy and take a virtual house tour<\/a> to discover what\u2019s really<\/em> going down our drains. Both academics have supported the additional interactive resources which accompany the series.<\/p>\n

This series was commissioned by Broadcast & Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Faculty of Business and Law, with particular relevance to Q99 | BA (Honours) Environmental Studies<\/a>, R44 | BA (Honours) Geography<\/a> and Q91 | BA (Honours) Business Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n