An online petition calling on a council to monitor waterways for pollution has been set up because water companies "cannot be trusted".

That's the view of Medway Liberal Democrats who are calling on people to back their campaign demanding that Medway Council steps in.

John Castle, chairman of Medway Liberal Democrats, said: "Water companies cannot be trusted to monitor the quality of our waterways.

"Currently, they meet their statutory monitoring requirements by measuring at a time of their own choosing, allowing them to avoid reporting the consequences of raw sewage leaks.

"This means their numbers cannot be trusted and the residents of Medway deserve to know the true quality of the waterways.

"Other local authorities are already monitoring water quality themselves, we are calling on Medway Council to gather the data to hold Southern Water to account over their leaks.

"The River Medway and its estuary are at the heart of our towns, providing a haven for our precious wildlife and a place for leisure and recreation for all of us.

"This is why Medway Liberal Democrats have launched an online petition.

"We can no longer simply let companies like Southern Water police themselves. Medway Council needs to listen to our sensible solutions and stand up for our residents. Medway and its river deserves better."

The annual DEFRA report on the performance of English water companies said Southern Water had the highest number of pollution incidents and received just a one-star rating.

The report said that in 2021, the company reported 372 separate incidents of pollution in rivers and seas, 12 of which were classed as serious. These numbers are deemed significantly above the agreed targets set.

Additionally, Southern Water has been awarded the lowest Supply Demand Balance Index (SDBI) score, in response to not fully doing its job in supplying residents with safe drinking water.

'We already work closely with local authorities across our region in conducting water quality testing above and beyond the Environment Agency’s bathing water test programme...'

A Southern Water spokesman said the the River Medway’s health was of vital importance to the company, with water from the river supplying thousands of homes, schools and hospitals with drinking water.

He added: “The quality of its water is influenced by many factors, including agricultural, industrial and road run-off, and waste from boating traffic.

"Working together with other river users, we are determined to do what we can to protect our precious environment.

“We already work closely with local authorities across our region in conducting water quality testing above and beyond the Environment Agency’s bathing water test programme.

"We do this by providing electronic equipment and scientific support, and we have installed the UK’s first near real-time monitoring buoy off Tankerton Bay.”

To access the online petition, click here.

Medway Council declined to comment.