The water could be used in air conditioning systems

"Understanding what volumes of water will become a problem for us."

Underground water levels have continued to rise over the past 40 years.

The water is eroding the thick layer of clay that prevents it from seeping to the surface and could be affecting the foundations of tall buildings.

The General Aquifer Research and Development Team, which is in the third year of its five-year investigation into means of bringing groundwater levels under control, is tackling levels by drilling boreholes across London to extract the water.

Seven boreholes have been activated so far in Merton, Streatham, Honour Oak, Wanstead, Brixton, Battersea and Islington.

'Exciting buildings'

Samantha Heath, chairwoman of the GLA's environment committee, said: "Many new and exciting buildings could save London from flooding and put this water to good use, for example in air conditioning systems.

"The GLA has already made plans to do this in our new building at More London."

London Underground currently pumps out 30,000 cubic metres of water a day from its tunnels, enough to fill about 3,000 swimming pools.

Roughly 4,500 litres of this is removed from Victoria Station alone.