The new Mayor of London has dropped a legal challenge initiated by his predecessor that claimed a proposed water plant in East London was inefficient and bad for the environment.

Boris Johnson withdrew the case after Thames Water, which is planning the £200 million desalination plant in Beckton, promised to introduce a series of environmentally-friendly measures.

The former mayor, Ken Livingstone, launched a High Court challenge against the plant, which aims to ease water shortages in the south-east, last year.

Mr Livingstone said cleaner, cheaper and less wasteful alternatives should be found to avoid the “energy-guzzling and carbon-intensive” way the plant was run.

But today Mr Johnson said he had agreed to withdraw the legal challenge after Thames Water announced a series of measures including saying it would power the with 100 per cent renewable fuel.

Mr Johnson said: “We cannot risk London running out of water at times of drought, but this cannot be at any cost.

“Thames Water has satisfied me that the desalination plant will minimise its impact on the environment by using renewable energy, and by being used only when absolutely necessary.”

Thames Water welcomed the decision to drop the case. David Owens, chief executive, said the news was a victory for common sense, as London’s growing population would need more water.

“The desalination plant is a vital part of our response to this situation, and we are committed to getting it built as quickly as possible, so it is available to provide more safe, clean drinking water to Londoners by 2010.”

But Darren Johnson, Green Party member of the London Assembly, said: “This desalination plant is a waste of energy, a waste of money and will encourage Londoners to keep wasting water.

“Building the desalination plant is the kind of short cut which we have come to expect from Thames Water. Instead of spending money on this energy-wasting, short-term solution, they should be investing in fixing pipes and stopping leaks.”

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