Thames Water is cracking down on people who illegally connect and steal water from its vast network of pipes.
Led by a former police detective, a team of Pimlico-based investigators are patrolling London and the Thames Valley to find and, if necessary, prosecute after a dramatic crime spike. Over the last six years, unauthorised connections have sky-rocketed from 33 in 2011 to 734 in 2017.
It is an important step forward by Britain’s biggest water company - any unaccounted-for water is classed as leakage in end-of-year performance tables.
Ex-Surrey Police detective Stuart Orchard, Thames Water, said:
“We’re not out to get people, but it’s against the law to dig up the road, find our water mains and illegally connect to our network.
“Thousands of litres of drinking water are lost every day. Therefore, to help protect water supplies for future generations and gain a greater control of our network, it’s vitally important we find and stop the people doing this.
“I would encourage anyone who thinks there might be suspicious water usage taking place near them to join this fight against water crime and contact us immediately.”
Last month, cleaning firm Hydro Cleansing pleaded guilty to 18 offences in Croydon and Reading under the Water Industry Act (WIA) 1991 after illegally connecting standpipes to the network. The company was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling almost £15,000.
Investigator Claire Rumens, formerly of Kent Police CID, added:
“People should follow the correct procedures, not strike cash-in-hand deals with rogue traders.
“If we’re notified of an illegal connection or any illegal activity, we will investigate and potentially go in and disconnect the supply. We try to work with our customers to put things right, and show them how it should be done. But if they continue to abuse the network we do have the power to prosecute, and we will.”
The team had previously taken Kilgannon Street Care to court in September. They were seen on four occasions to be connecting an unlicensed standpipe to a fire hydrant in Battersea, and using thousands of litres to clean the streets.
The firm’s director admitted 12 offences under the WIA and was ordered to pay more than £5,000 in fines and costs.
Reducing leakage is a top priority for Thames Water and the company has significantly increased investment this year. Teams are working harder and smarter to create a more resilient network while minimising costs and disruption to customers.
To report any water network abuse email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call customer service on 0800 980 8800.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Börger UK, which has firmly established itself as a leading pump brand since it was set up in Staffordshire in 2004, has moved into bigger, brand-new premises in Shrewsbury.
HUBER Technology UK & Ireland are inviting people to register for their March webinar where they will be providing information about HUBER water intake screens for municipal and industrial applications.
Sulzer has launched a new global Center of Excellence (CoE) for Water Treatment Solutions - the CoE consolidates Sulzer’s wastewater treatment expertise in a unified and global manner.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.