Thames Water team star in BBC1 show 'Dom Digs In'

A group of Thames Water employees have starred in a BBC1 series about life on the frontline with the UK’s essential workers which aired on Wednesday, May 5.

‘Dom Digs In’ is fronted by popular presenter Dom Littlewood and follows him meeting and celebrating the heroic efforts of some of the UK’s key workers, including several from Thames Water who featured in their own 40-minute episode. 

Filming across the Thames Water region took place over four days in October 2020, with Dom visiting Walthamstow Wetlands, Mogden sewage works and the company’s operational control centre in Reading. He also spent time with a sewer cleaning crew and a drinking water technician who both help manage the company’s vast network of pipes. 

Dom was set to work to see if he could hack various roles, including removing wet wipes from the equipment at Mogden, seeing how leaks are fixed and making sure there’s enough water to meet demand from millions of customers.

Becky Trotman from the Thames Water media team set up the filming and was Dom’s mentor. She said: “Having a whole BBC show shine a spotlight on our key workers was an opportunity too good to turn down.

“The logistics were challenging due to social distancing but I’m hugely excited to see the important work of so many Thames Water people recognised on national TV. The show will hopefully give our customers a great insight into the hard work that goes on to provide them with life’s essential service.”

Speaking about his brush with fame clean water technician Louie, who had Dom shadow him for a gruelling 10-hour shift on a very wet and windy day, added: “I enjoyed the experience even though it was a very long day! Dom and the crew were really nice, although I’m not sure that I'm looking forward to seeing myself on telly.”

‘Dom Digs In’ started on BBC1 on Monday, April 26 and the episode dedicated to Thames Water aired on Wednesday, May 5 at 11am.

It is available on the BBC iPlayer.