Epsom

A customer in the Epsom Downs area contacted ASL Limited because a private drainage system serving two or three properties had developed an unpleasant smell. Although everything appeared to be working, the odour was becoming a real nuisance.

Darren attended the same day and quickly traced the problem to the property’s treatment plant. The treatment plant itself was in very good condition, but it had been installed slightly too low in the ground. During periods of heavy rainfall, surface water was able to enter it. Although it wasn’t a huge amount, it was enough to overload the system beyond what it had been designed to cope with, and small amounts of debris were also washing into the tank, adding to the problem and causing the unpleasant smells.

Rather than simply masking the symptoms, Darren identified the real cause. As a temporary solution, he formed a small relief channel to divert surface water away from the treatment plant, which immediately reduced the amount of water entering the system and cleared the smells.

Darren then explained the long-term options and made recommendations for a permanent repair. A suitable watertight extension could raise the treatment plant cover, with the surrounding ground reshaped slightly so rainwater runs away from the plant rather than towards it. The customer was able to make an informed decision, knowing exactly what the problem was, what had caused it, and how it could be permanently resolved when they were ready.

This is a good example of how experience makes the difference. Sometimes the problem isn’t a blocked drain at all. It is understanding how the whole drainage system works, finding the root cause, and giving the customer practical options instead of unnecessary work.

Services

• Sewage Treatment Plants
• Private Drainage Systems
• Flooding & Pooling Solutions