Mayors for a Drinkable Thames

A Thames watershed network of boroughs, mayors, councillors and local river guardians to work towards a drinkable Thames. Combining the passion of river communities with the influence of local mayors.

Upcoming event:

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June 2026

Thames Relay River Walk

River basin network “Mayors for a Drinkable Thames”

The network

This Thames watershed is a network of boroughs, mayors, councillors and local river guardians that adopts the compass of a drinkable Thames to give a shared direction to work towards. The network recognises that they are all dependent on the Thames river and tributaries. They are thus also responsible for the health of the Thames river system. A drinkable Thames helps us to encourage (local) actions as well as with our regional and watershed collaboration and commitment.

Our healthy lifeline

A Thames that is ecologically healthy and in balance that we can drink straight from is both simple and appealing and also engages all inhabitants, the general public. A healthy Thames is the lifeline for all of us: inhabitants, businesses, otters, dragonflies and also for all the rowers, sailors and swimmers. Strengthening this shared base will benefit many. That is why this network collaborates closely with river user groups and local environmental organisations.

Thames relay river walk 2026

To build upon the successful Thames River Walk undertaken by Li An and Maarten, we’re working on a collectively organised relay river walk —we will welcome any forms of transport that are powered by movement, such as swimming, cycling, paddling, rowing, etc— celebrating one of Britain’s most historically significant waterways.

Commencing at the Thames source, the route will be divided into daily sections of approximately 12 miles (15km) and the walk of each leg will be led by members of the Thames river family.

We will update you soon on the route, dates and how you can participate!

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Thames river walk 2023

The Mayors for a Drinkable Thames network was co-initiated by James Manthel, inspired by the Thames River walk by Li An and Maarten from Drinkable Rivers in Sept/Oct 2023.

Learn more about the Thames walk

Connecting efforts across the Thames: Key themes from our gathering with the Port of London Authority

On the 12th of December, we came together online for a valuable session with Emily McLean from the Port of London Authority, who shared insights from the Clean Thames Plan and the process behind its development.

The conversation allowed us to learn from an established approach and to explore where our work can align. We identified four thematic groups that could be helpful to focus action and strengthen collaboration:

river water quality data and monitoring;
engaging children and young people;
education and communication;
and restoring and rewilding the Thames.

We addressed that reaching out to catchment partnerships might be valuable e.g. Evenlode; Cirencester and South East Rivers Trust (SERT) and other groups like the Teddington Society.

Emily highlighted the importance of coordinating priority areas for action across tidal and non-tidal stretches of the river, linking projects that share themes or geography, and maintaining open communication to celebrate progress and learn.

These principles offer a strong foundation for more joined-up, effective action across the Thames catchment.

Founders Mayors for a Drinkable Thames

James Manthel

Councillor of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

Mark Wilson

Councillor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

Li An Phoa

Founder and Director of Drinkable Rivers

Co-initiators at the soft launch of the Thames network

The co-initiators

Boroughs

Runnymede
Elmbridge
Hounslow
Spelthorne
Richmond
Kingston

Mayors

Elaine Gill (Runnymede)
Neil Houston (Elmbridge)
Karen Smith (Hounslow)
Med Buck (Spelthorne)
Richard Pyne/dep Kuldev Sehra (Richmond)
Liz Green (Kingston)

Councillors

Elizabeth Laino (Elmbridge)
Ian Manders (Kingston)
Judy Sarsby (Elmbridge)
Julia Neden-Watts (Richmond)
James Manthel (Kingston)
Mark Wilson (Windsor & Maidenhead)

Part of the Global network

The Thames Mayors network is one of the river basin networks whithin the global network of “Mayors for Drinkable Rivers”

Learn more

Mayors for a Drinkable Thames events

The official launch of the Mayors for a Drinkable Thames campaign

5 November 2025, Maidenhead We look back fondly on the successful launch of the Mayors for a Drinkable Thames campaign, which brought together over 50 mayors, councillors, scientists and stakeholders united by a shared ambition: to make the Thames drinkable again....

Soft launch Mayors for a Drinkable Thames

22 November 2024, KingstonOne of the Thames Councilors, James Manthel, co-initiated Mayors for a drinkable Thames and convened the first gathering on the beautiful Thames Venturer riverboat, in Kingston Upon Thames last Friday 22 November 2024. Inspired by the Thames...

Thames Walk 2023 Diary

Oct 17th - Day #28 - Our final event in London at the Dutch embassyWe're finished walking and we celebrated this moment with about sixty people. We've shared some of our experiences, insights, and encouragements that we have for the Thames River family. We encourage...