Silence of the Thames

Hmmmm ... would you believe it?

A water company has refused to admit how hefty the bill was for telling us how brilliant it is.

We put in and FOI asking how much Thames Water had invested in producing and promoting an advertising campaign about its 'biggest upgrade in 150 years'?

It was a simple question. But the precious little souls refused to answer it.

The advert, which has appeared on television as well as Facebook and potentially other platforms, boasts that the company is replacing hundreds of miles of old pipes to reduce leaks.

We asked how much the video cost to produce, how much Thames Water spent advertising it across Facebook and other platforms, and whether an outside company was paid to make it.

Their answer was, effectively, that none of this counts as environmental information.

Nothing to see here... move along... peasants!

Thames said advertising costs fall outside the Environmental Information Regulations and therefore refused to process our request.

We are, of course, challenging that decision.

This is not an advert for washing powder or a summer sale. It promotes a major water infrastructure programme which Thames Water says will reduce leakage and protect water supplies.

The Environmental Information Regulations cover information about measures and activities affecting the environment, including water, as well as those designed to protect it.

The Information Commissioner’s guidance also says environmental information should be interpreted broadly and considered in context.

The context here could hardly be clearer. Thames Water has spent money producing and broadcasting an advert about work it claims will prevent the loss of a vital natural resource.

Customers are entitled to ask how much of their money is being spent fixing the pipes, and how much is being spent telling everyone about it.

We have now requested an internal review and asked Thames Water to reconsider its refusal. If it maintains its position, we will consider taking the matter to the Information Commissioner.

Watch this, sadly, all too predictable, space!