Thames Water has set up a fast-track pollution reporting service to have incidents investigated within two hours.
The company has created dedicated phone and online reporting channels for members of the public to get in touch regarding any pollution incidents.
A rapid response team will attend the scene within two hours to take action to protect waterways.
Sustainability director, Richard Aylard, said: “Our aim will always be to try and do the right thing for our rivers and for the communities who love and value them, and we’re grateful to anyone who takes the initiative to tell us about a possible pollution. We have made it as quick and easy as possible for people to report something when they see it, because the sooner we can get to a problem the better.”
The company was prosecuted by the Environment Agency in May for pollution incidents dating back to 2016 at its Hogsmill treatment works. During the proceedings the company said it had committed to improving its environmental compliance to prevent pollution in future.
Angling Trust’s head of campaigns, Stuart Singleton-White, urged other companies to do the same: “This initiative from Thames Water to simplify its pollution reporting and to commit to responding more quickly is a welcome step. It would be good to see all water companies following this lead, making it straightforward for people to report and ensuring swift action in response.
“Often time can be a crucial factor in turning a minor issue into a major one. It is why it is important for anglers and other river uses to report pollution as soon as they see it, not to wait a few hours or days. Too often, however, the frustration has been, that after reporting, nothing happens. It is good to see Thames Water seeking to tackle this.”