Prevention is better than a cure

Not since the Great Stink of 1858, when the smell of untreated sewage in the River Thames forced a suspension of Parliament, has the state of London’s sewage system been so overstretched.

One direct result of the Great Stink was the building of a brand new sewage system for the capital by Joseph Bazalgette, and it has served the city well for more than a century.

But the population the system served in the mid-1800s was around 3 million and the number of people living in London is now nearer 8.8 million; our sewers are struggling to cope.

An evolution in the type of waste being dumped into sewers is also causing problems. There has been a huge increase in modern times in the amount of fatty foods in the diet and it is finding its way into sewers, as are modern sanitary products. The discovery of “fatbergs”, huge dams of coagulated fats under the streets of London that cause blockages, and potential health risks, has made planners realise they need to act.

Prevention is better than cure

But the problem isn’t restricted to London; many local authorities could be facing large bills for unblocking drains or widening them.

Therefore it’s important to educate users about the kinds of materials they should avoid dumping down the drain or flushing down the toilet:

  • Fats, oils or lard from cooking
  • Engine oil or grease
  • Coffee grinds
  • Egg shells
  • Produce stickers
  • Food scraps
  • Hygiene products.
  • Paper towels.
  • Cat litter

They can also fit a trap to plug holes to catch solids and dispose of them in a bin or onto a compost heap.

Drain and Sewer Services

Our engineers at Drain and Sewer Services are fully trained in unblocking techniques to deal with any size of blockage problem.

We use modern CCTV technology to locate blockages and the latest jetting units for removing them before they grow into a problem.

We provide a full range of drain and sewer services to local authorities, business and homeowners. To find out how Drain and Sewers Services can help you, by calling our Aldershot office on 01252 312738 or email info@drainandsewer.co.uk