Thames Water's online tool to report blocked sewers and flooding

Thames Water said it had created the new tool to help customers report issues faster

A new online tool has been designed to help residents report blocked sewers, flooding and pollution in the Thames Water area.

It will allow users to report problems, upload video or photographs and provide the location using an interactive map.

Once reported, the company said its engineers would investigate an issue and fix it.

Retail director David Bird said: "We're making it as quick and easy as possible for people to report something."

Once an issue is reported, the firm said its engineers would investigate

Once an issue is reported customers will receive a case reference number which they can use to receive progress alerts and updates, Mr Bird said.

"Time can sometimes be a crucial factor in turning a minor issue into a major one," he added.

Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, executive member for environment at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "This design brings us one step closer to resolving the ongoing challenges faced by residents.

"We have been working closely with Thames Water to tackle the impact of sewage on our waterways, including the issue of reporting broken sewage infrastructure."

Thames Water's area covers parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, West Sussex, London, Essex and Kent.