Heavy rain over recent days has seen Thames Water discharge huge quantities of polluted storm water sewage into local rivers.

At the same time, a number of flooding alerts were issued to local residents amid concerns that some streams would breach their banks.

Alerts were issued on Sunday for both the Mogden Sewage works and the Hammersmith pumping works, which were both overwhelmed with storm water.

A number of similar alerts have been issued in recent weeks amid mounting concerns that privatised water companies have failed to invest in their sewers while paying billions in dividends to shareholders.

Mogden discharges water into the Duke of Northumberland stream which, in turn, flows into the Thames.

The lower Duke of Northumberland's River flows for 4km from Kneller Gardens in Twickenham to the Thames in Isleworth.

The river, which was constructed in the 16th century to supply water to mills in Isleworth, has been disfigured by a number of sewage discharges from Mogden.

Earlier this year, the Environment Agency revealed it is investigating discharges of more than two billion litres of raw sewage from Mogden into surrounding waterways. The equivalent of 800 Olympic-sized swimming pools of raw sewage was released across 48 hours in October 2020.

The Hammersmith works discharges water directly into the Thames near Hammersmith Bridge.

Details were issued by Thames CSO Alerts, which releases information on Thames Tideway combined sewer overflow discharges as notified by Thames Water.

On Sunday morning, it said: "Rower notification from Thames Water: Mogden Sewage Treatment Works (STW)

"Following the recent rainfall, Mogden Sewage Treatment Works has in the last hour discharged heavily diluted storm water into the River Thames."

At about the same time, it said: "Rower notification from Thames Water: Hammersmith Pumping Station (PS)

"Following the recent rainfall, Hammersmith Pumping Station has in the last hour discharged untreated sewage into the River Thames, due to lack of capacity in the existing sewer network."

Residents condemned the discharges on social media. Critics claimed that the government has been allowing water companies to get away with sewage discharges that, in the past, would have been illegal.

One attacked Thames Water saying: "It rains a lot in this country. Please invest your extensive profits in dealing with the weather more appropriately."

Another said: "Lack of capacity in the network is down to sub-par investment by @thameswater. Instead the company has maxed out dividends to greedy investors. It should be closed down."

A third said: "Disgusting, irresponsible and dangerous. Shame on you. Why don't you pump some of your profits into renewing pipes and increasing capacity?"

On Sunday, Richmond borough council issued a warning, saying: "Parts of Richmond are at risk of flooding from the rivers Crane, Beverley Brook and the River Thames."

At the same time, a number of local roads became inundated after the drains became clogged by falling leaves.

The Council said: "After heavy rain, it is expected to see some water in the road or on open land, despite work undertaken to prevent this.

"It may be because other parts of the drainage system are at full capacity and it will slowly recede.

"If water is still present after a few hours and you believe the issue is being caused by a blocked or damaged roadside gully, or if you wish to report another non-emergency drainage issue, please contact the local authority Highways team on [email protected]"