How to fix a leak

10.54.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Jun 2008

The algae shows how long this leak was there.

Persistence! Local campaigner Paul D Smith has spent the last 5 months chasing Thames Water and they have finally fixed a leak. The leak was causing pavement on the New River bridge near Gentlemans Row to become uneven because it was washing the sand under the paving slabs away.

Paul first rang Thames Water in early February and then rang again at regularly intervals until they escalted the problem and they started ringing him with progress reports! Eventually, and after many false starts, they fixed the leak in mid June.

"Whilst we're told to conserve water, small leaks are wasting hundreds of gallons of water per week" said Paul. "And the danger to pedestrians because of the paving slaps moving only added to the need to get this particular leak fixed.".

Water leaks can be reported via the Thames Water website, http://www.thameswater.co.uk, or by telephoning 0845 920 0800. If nothing appears to happen, do let us know because we're sure Thames would like to hear from Paul again.