Mayors for a drinkable Thames

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



join the network

Upcoming gathering:

July 11th, 2025

Official launch of the Mayors for a drinkable Thames

We invite all mayors and councillors in the Thames watershed to join!

River basin network “Mayors for a Drinkable Thames”

The network

This Thames watershed is a network of boroughs, mayors, councillors and local actors 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.

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

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)
Judy Sarsby (Elmbridge)
Julia Neden-Watts (Richmond)
James Manthel (Kingston)
Ian Manders (Kingston)

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

Thames actions and activities

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...