Ken Livingstone dismissed plans to desalinate water from the Thames estuary as an energy-guzzling solution to London's water shortages that would contribute to climate change. In his submission to the forthcoming public inquiry into Thames Water's plans for a GBP 200m desalination plant in East London, the Mayor said desalination is energy-intensive and contributes to climate change. He called on Thames Water to fix leaks instead, saying the company has already been warned by Ofwat to reduce the 915 million litres it loses through leaking pipes every day.