A specially designed drain cover, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, has been unveiled to celebrate the annual Pride event in the town of Reading.

The cover has been painted in the rainbow colours which are symbolic of the LGBTQ+ movement along with black and brown to represent LGBTQ+ people from Black and Asian backgrounds.

The unique design includes LGBTQ+ symbols along with the words ‘Every rainbow needs a little water to shine,’ chosen by Thames employees, and intended to express how communities shine and thrive because of the diversity within them. While coloured drain covers have been seen in countries including Japan and the USA, it is thought this is the first in the UK and one of four to be installed in the region, with one set to appear in Swindon and two in London.

Matt Rimmer, Thames Water’s director of wastewater networks and an ally of the company’s LGBTQ+ network, said: “While most of the infrastructure we use to provide essential water and waste services is underground, the drain covers are there for all to see and are a perfect canvas on which to promote our values.

“While we continue to support Pride events, we also want to have some permanent and highly visible statement pieces that reflect our commitment to our LGBTQ+ employees and customers.”

Thames Water is one of the sponsors of Reading Pride 2021 and the cover is positioned on the Pride march route near the company’s head office.

Emma Kosmin, associate director of workplace client relationships at Stonewall, (she/her) said: “We’re delighted that Thames Water is installing drain covers that visibly celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Initiatives like this, which openly show appreciation for our communities, help LGBTQ+ staff and members of the public feel seen and valued.

“Thames Water has consistently strived to create a more inclusive workplace where LGBTQ+ employees and customers are free to be themselves. From placing diversity at the heart of recruitment to working with communities across the country to celebrate Pride, it’s been incredible to work alongside an organisation that is so dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion.

“We look forward to continuing to support Thames Water to create an environment where their LGBTQ+ staff, and the communities they serve, are free to thrive as themselves.”

Thames Water has previously commissioned two commemorative drain covers in London to mark the clearing of the infamous 2017 Whitechapel Fatberg and on Abbey Road to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles album.

Simon Turner, commercial director at Wrekin Products, which manufactured the cover, said: “We’re delighted that the cover is in the ground for all to see ahead of this year’s Reading Pride and beyond. Having worked with Thames Water on bespoke drain covers in the past, this was the perfect opportunity to publicly display our allegiance with the LGBTQ+ community while adding a splash of colour to the built environment.

“We’re thrilled with the finished product and hope that the message ‘Every rainbow needs a little water to shine’ will be able to empower, inspire or even simply put a smile on the face of those who pass.”