WATER detectives are on the case to help clean up the North West's streams and bathing waters.

United Utilities is organising a region-wide survey to tackle the problem of wrong drainage connections, which lead to environmental pollution.

UU project manager Chris Wright said: "If the drains aren't plumbed in properly then water can end up in local streams instead of where it belongs - the local wastewater treatment works."

To ensure the right connections are in place, special dyes are being used to trace the pollution.

Mr Wright said: "When people do their own plumbing they might accidentally make the wrong drainage connection. They won't realise they have done anything wrong, but it could be having a serious impact on the local stream. Many people don't actually realise that, depending on the age of the property, there can be two separate drainage systems."

UU is also writing to nearly 10,000 homes across the North West in areas where there are local pollution problems to arrange a visit by one of its contractors to check the drainage connections. If a wrong connection is found, the homeowner will be told what the problem is and what they have to do to put it right.

Engineers may also be able to tell from the outside of the property whether it is correctly connected and what they need to do to put it right.