In June 2007 , Livingstone criticised a planned Â # 200 million desalination plant at Beckton , which would be the United Kingdom 's first , calling it `` misguided and a retrograde step in UK environmental policy '' , and that `` we should be encouraging people to use less water , not more . '' In June 2007 , Livingstone criticised the planned Â # 200 million Thames Water Desalination Plant at Beckton , which will be the United Kingdom 's first , calling it `` misguided and a retrograde step in UK environmental policy '' , and that `` we should be encouraging people to use less water , not more . ''