One of Thames Water’s three pumping stations will take water from a collection of 22 boreholes at Stratford Box International Station which would otherwise be pumped to waste into the River Lee to prevent the station flooding. The new pumping stations, costing £12 million, have been enhanced by architects to be unique landmarks to liven up their surroundings.
 

Old Ford Pumping Station, which will abstract water from an old well, has been designed as a selection of 'perfect cubes', set within a clearing of protected woodland, close to the Greenway Walk. The pumping station at Stratford Box is a collection of brick structures with growing roofs. The third pumping station at Edmeston will draw water from two boreholes drilled during work on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
 

Steve Shine, Thames Water's chief operating officer, said: “London is water-stressed, so it's essential that we make use of all water available to us to meet rising demand and help supply the capital's rising population. We'll now be able to transfer millions of litres of water a day to our raw water reservoirs in Walthamstow from these unused underground sources providing precious supplies to help keep the capital's taps running during long dry spells.”
 

The architectural finishes on each of the pumping station buildings will be completed in July 2010.