Plans to build a reservoir with enough water to fill three million baths have been met with scathing criticism.
Councillors did not hold back in their condemnation of private utility company Thames Water at a full Oxfordshire County Council meeting on December 12.
The water supplier has proposed to introduce a new South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) to the south west of Abingdon - just south of the A420 and adjacent to the A34.
Its new reservoir, which spans 6.7 square kilometres, would provide water to customers in London and the Thames Valley region.
A motion asking for a pause in SESRO, further enquires, and an all-party meeting with the secretary of state was presented by Independent councillor Sally Povolotsky, of the Hendreds and Harwell division, before it passed unanimously.
Ms Povolotsky said: "None of us are in full receipt of the facts nor have we been consulted.
"25 years in the making, this is seven km in size and up to 30m high.
"It is a great big sink between beautiful heritage spring line villages."
But Thames Water said it had carried out "extensive public consultation earlier this year" on two reservoir sizes.
Conservative councillor Nick Field-Johnson, of the Burford and Carterton North division, said: "Thames Water and other sewage companies are using our rivers as sewage outlets.
"Whilst it is not my own party's position nationally I feel that there is an extremely strong case for action to be taken against water companies - particularly ones that perform poorly in financial, environmental and consumer terms."
Liberal Democrat councillor Jenny Hannaby, of the Grove and Wantage division, added: "This is probably one of the most disastrous things that could hit our area in all the years that I've lived in Wantage."
She cited the presence of "floods everywhere", blaming Thames Water.
The company has said it is going to halve leaks from pipes by 2050 and put itself "up there with the world leaders".
Its proposed reservoir has an expected lifespan of 250 years and completion date of 2040.
Councillor Bob Johnston, of the Kennington and Radley division, concluded: "If I’m spared to 2040 at which time I shall be 97 this is the biggest thing I shall see."
The councillor of 30 years added the project was a reflection of a type of "gangster capitalism".
But a Thames Water spokesman said: “Our revised draft plan sets out that if we do nothing, we could face a shortfall of over one billion litres of water per day by 2050.
“A new larger reservoir in Oxfordshire would not only help secure water supplies for future generations but provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to invest in new infrastructure and provide many social, economic and environmental benefits, including a place where people can enjoy recreational activities.
“Across the south east we looked at more than 2,000 options and new reservoirs came out among the best of them based on cost, value for money and security of supply.
“We also continue to engage with the local community, last month we held two engagement events to keep customers, communities and stakeholders up-to-date on our proposals.”
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