CCTV Drainage Survey for potential contamination leak on a business park, Chertsey
An Industrial Park, situated in Chertsey, was home to a variety of businesses, ranging from small garage workshops to large distribution companies. James Turner, the property manager, had the critical task of overseeing the maintenance and operations of the business park, ensuring that tenants could run their businesses without any disruptions. Given the diverse range of companies housed there, including some involved in manufacturing and light industrial work, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations was one of James’s top priorities.
Recently, James had received a notice from the local environmental agency. The agency had conducted a routine inspection and raised concerns about the potential contamination of a nearby watercourse that ran alongside the business park. The inspectors feared that the business park’s drainage system could be leaking wastewater into the watercourse, potentially violating strict environmental protection laws.
As part of the notice, James was required to provide evidence that the drainage system was functioning properly and that there was no risk of contamination. This put James in a tough position. A failure to comply with the environmental agency’s regulations could result in hefty fines for the park, and even worse, it could damage the business park’s reputation.
He needed to investigate the drainage system thoroughly and provide proof that it was in good condition. The challenge was that much of the park’s drainage system was underground, and simply checking the surface-level drains wouldn’t suffice.
Recognising that this situation required professional expertise, James decided to call in Your Drain Experts, to undertake a thorough CCTV drain survey. Our company had been referred to him by another commercial property manager in the area, who we had recently helped to resolve a challenging drainage issue.
Our team scheduled a CCTV drain survey to investigate the Surrey business park’s drainage system. Our technicians explained to James that the CCTV drain survey would allow them to inspect the entire drainage network, including the underground pipes, using our high-resolution camera equipment. The camera would provide a real-time view of the inside of the pipes, helping to identify any damage, blockages, or leaks that could be causing wastewater to escape into the nearby watercourse.
On the day of the inspection, our drain surveyors arrived on-site with our equipment and began the survey by accessing the drainage system through manholes scattered across the business park. As the camera travelled through the pipes, it transmitted live footage to a main monitor, giving James a real-time view of the system’s internal condition.
The inspection revealed several areas of concern. In one section of the drainage system, the technicians found a significant buildup of debris, including silt, stones, and even some industrial waste that had likely entered the system over time. While this buildup wasn’t causing a complete blockage, it was slowing the flow of water and could eventually lead to an overflow during heavy rain.
However, the most serious finding was a crack in one of the underground pipes located near the perimeter of the business park. The crack was relatively small, but it was allowing wastewater to seep into the surrounding soil. From there, it was possible that the wastewater was finding its way into the nearby watercourse, which would explain the environmental agency’s concerns.
After completing the survey, our team reviewed the footage and findings with James. They recommended two immediate actions to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. First, they proposed clearing the debris from the drainage system using high-pressure water jetting. This would restore the flow of water through the system and prevent any blockages from forming. Second, they recommended repairing the cracked pipe using a no-dig drain relining technique. This method would seal the crack and reinforce the pipe, preventing any further leaks.
James understood the importance of addressing the issues promptly, not only to avoid fines but also to ensure that the business park remained compliant with environmental laws, and open for business. He gave the green light for our team to proceed with the work.
The following week, the drainage engineers returned to carry out the repairs. Using high-pressure water jetting, they thoroughly cleaned the drainage system, removing all debris and waste that had accumulated over time. This process restored the system to full capacity, allowing water to flow freely through the pipes.
Next, they used the no-dig drain relining technique to seal the cracked pipe. This involved inserting a flexible liner into the pipe, which was then inflated and hardened to create a permanent seal. The relining process was quick and required no excavation, meaning there was minimal disruption to the tenants and no damage to the business park’s landscaping.
Once the repairs were completed, Your Drain Experts provided James with a comprehensive report, including before-and-after footage of the drainage system. The report clearly documented the condition of the pipes, the repairs that had been made, and proof that there were no longer any leaks that could threaten the nearby watercourse.
James submitted the report to the environmental agency as part of his compliance documentation. Thanks to the thoroughness of the CCTV drain survey and the swift action taken to repair the system, the business park was cleared of any violations, and the environmental agency was satisfied that the drainage system posed no risk of contamination. This meant that no fines were due and no business was disrupted.
Relieved, James said, “I was really worried when we got the notice from the environmental agency. A potential leak into the watercourse could have been a disaster for the business park, both financially and reputationally. Your team were incredibly professional and quick to respond. Their CCTV drain survey was the only way we could prove that the drainage system was safe, and their repairs fixed the issue before it got any worse. I’d recommend them to anyone who needs to ensure they’re meeting environmental regulations.”
