Hey, listen up! Water companies in the UK

Hey, listen up! Public Water companies in the UK, plus private treatment plant and septic tanks can let untreated sewage flow into our rivers and seas when it rains too much and their treatment systems can’t handle it. This way, sewage doesn’t back up into our streets and homes.

But here’s the thing: we need to protect ourselves and our families from this.

So, here’s what you can do: 

To avoid this, if you think you have a blocked drain, or you think you have wrong connections or you want to make sure, don’t hesitate to call a professional. They’ll be able to clear it up quickly and safely.

Oh, and here’s a heads up: sewer gas can be dangerous if you’re exposed to it for too long. Symptoms include tiredness, irritated eyes, coughing, nausea, shortness of breath, headaches, irritability, memory issues, and dizziness. In severe cases, it can even lead to sewer gas poisoning, which can cause weakness, headaches, dizziness, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even suffocation

So, if you smell sewer gas in your house, it’s important to get it fixed right away. Don’t let it linger and cause any health problems. Stay safe and keep your drains clear!

Water companies are allowed to pump untreated sewage into the UK's rivers and surrounding seas when too much rainfall threatens the capacity of their treatment systems.

When Pumping partial or untreated sewage

This prevents sewage from backing up into our streets and homes.

Rainwater downpipes should not be connected to the Wastewater system. If the rainwater gutters and gullies are connected to the wastewater, (sewage drain), rainwater during heavy downpours of rain will overwhelm the drain and cause contaminated, smelly ponding, or a flooded garden.

A simple blockage with the additional rainwater in the foul system would overwhelm the drains from the kitchen or the toilets which are using the same drain, and will quickly, during a normal downpour of rain back up to, and, under or around the house.

Be proactive

It will be prudent if you have a competent Blocked Drains person on your phone, pinned, or on speed dial.

protect your health. Often customers tell me they realize they have a blocked drain because of the smells in the house. Some people when affected (feeling ill) may think it’s a bad flu. Sewer gas exposure may include tiredness, irritated eyes, coughing, nausea, shortness of breath, headaches, irritability, memory issues, or dizziness. Prolonged or high exposure to methane can cause sewer gas poisoning. If you notice a sewer gas smell in your house, it is important to address it immediately.

Other polluting effects and risks

When wastewater isn't treated, it can contain pollutants that can contaminate the lawn, soil, water, and air.

Raw or partially treated sewage is harmful when it's released or overflows especially when it’s hidden in the gravel on the driveway or in the grass, which is now a lush green, the contamination is now in the environment. It needs to be properly treated.

Or safely disposed of. Otherwise, it can contaminate water, cause pollution, harm wildlife, and even result in the spread of disease.

It's important to treat pollutants so that they don't cause harm to people, our children, plants, and animals

That’s why combined sewers can be a problem. They now contain bacteria, debris, and other hazardous substances that can be harmful to people, pets, and wildlife; can also cause beach closures, shellfish bed closures, algae growth, reduced oxygen levels in waterways, and aesthetic impacts from floating debris or oil slicks.

The public is noticing the effects of sewage more and more because the heavy downpours of rain are so regular these days.

Sewage and wastewater contain bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses that can cause intestinal, lung, and other infections. Bacteria may cause diarrhoea, fever, cramps, and sometimes vomiting, headache, weakness, or loss of appetite. Some bacteria and diseases carried by sewage and wastewater, as a result of direct contact with sewage or surfaces contaminated by sewage, can result in illnesses such as Gastroenteritis, which means inflammation in your stomach and intestine. Inflammation makes these organs feel swollen and sore. It causes symptoms of illness, like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

If you notice any new areas for concern in your home that could be related to drains and contamination, get in touch with our experts at ASL Limited.

Take a look at our blog for more information about how long a septic or treatment plant can last after removing threats of contamination.