Drainage companies don’t just offer drain jetting; they also offer a number of other services to clients such as:

• Drain excavation and replacement
• CCTV surveys
• Root removal
• Scale removal
• Drainage surveys
• Drain repair and pipe lining
• Drain maintenance

In fact, if you have a problem with your drain, the drainage engineers will most likely have a solution.

One of the common problems homeowners face is just an accumulation of waste matter in the drainage pipe. Over time waste will catch on any rough edges in the pipe, the waste will then build up and eventually, if left unnoticed, it will cause a total drain blockage. In many instances this can be solved really easily. A drainage repair firm will simply direct a jet of water under high pressure down the drainage pipe, which should provide enough force to break up the clog. The clog deposits can then be removed via the nearest manhole cover.

The above solution is just one of the repair/services that drainage teams can carry out. And, if you live in a large city like London you’ll be aware that problems with drains are a daily occurrence in heavily populated areas. For this reason it’s always a good idea to have the phone number of a reputable drainage company to hand.

Southern Water has just announced that the popularly walked Cuckoo Trail has reopened after sewer works were completed. The trail was closed in November last year, so the water company could replace a section of sewer which had a number of leaks.

The essential works meant sections of the trail were closed to the general public and the firm have had to contend with some severe weather after a couple of heavy snowfalls reduced workflow to a crawl.

The project manager from Southern Water, Keith Jeffery, stated:

“We have addressed the problems experienced in this area by undertaking significant works to help reduce the risk of sewage leaks in the future.

“During our work we identified very early on the need to balance engineering challenges with the needs of the public.”

The work on the sewer was carried out by one of Southern Water’s drainage contractors who replaced around 1.5km of sewage pipe.

Mr Jeffery further stated:

“I would like to thank the users of this popular trail for being so patient and understanding while this work was being carried out.

“We knew this was a very popular route for both leisure users as well as commuting cyclists, so getting this work done quickly with minimal disruption has been our top priority.”

Most London drainage companies will be able to come to your home quickly if you have a drain blockage. Drain blockages can cause countless other issues for the regular homeowner, with most problems degenerating quickly without prompt action.

The worst problem a homeowner may face if they have a blocked drain is a backflow of waste matter into their home or into their garden. Because the waste matter has nowhere to go down the drain it commonly surfaces from the drain in your garden or even shows as your toilet water not dropping in level. This can cause severe damage and may also pose a health hazard for those persons who come into contact with it.

When you call a drainage company, they may want you to give a brief explanation of your problem so they can work out if it is an emergency situation. Some companies work 24 hours a day and seven days a week, so even if the problem happens at the weekend or in the middle of the night, the drainage company in London will be able to come to your aid.

The sewage treatment works in Slough are due to open to the public for the first time this summer to show off some of the amazing architecture and educate the general public.

There are a dozen open days planned throughout the summer across the Thames Valley and London, which aim to show off some of Thames Water’s most prestigious sites, including Sir Joseph Bazalgettes pumping station at Abbey Mills.

The site in Slough treats waste from over 250,000 homes and has recently gained the accolade as the first site in the UK to extract phosphorus from the waste it treats, which can then be used as a fertiliser.
The Slough works are open on Saturday the 30th of July between 10am and 4pm.

Thames water’s chief operating officer Steve Shine stated:

“We’re the UK’s largest water company, providing THE essential service for 14 million customers across London and the Thames Valley, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This is a massive responsibility and we work hard to be good neighbours.

“The majority of what we do is out of sight – out of mind. Opening up some of our large operational sites like Slough provides a unique and exciting opportunity for our customers who are curious to know more about what we do, to see it for themselves.”

Members of the general public rarely make comment on their local sewage treatment works, yet they rely on them on a daily basis. Even when the works are upgraded or additional treatment areas are added, does it rarely make even local the news. One new treatment works which did however feature in the press recently was the new Crake Valley Wastewater Treatment Works – and all because they were blessed by the local vicar.

Reverend Canon Gary Wemyss from the St Mary the Virgin Church in Penny Bridge conducted a short ceremony at the treatment works on their opening day on July the 7th.

The vicar’s ceremony also included a minute’s silence for remembrance of the London bombings on the same date in 2005.

The project manager, Paul Romanko, stated:

“We have done this once before and people liked it so much we thought we’d try it here. They thought it would be a great idea.”

“There was so much interest while we were building the works, and people were so accommodating, that we wanted to say thanks and show them what we were up to all those months,”

The new facilities took over a year to complete and replace septic tanks in Greenodd and Penny Bridge.