Doing Our Bit: How Every Home Can Help Stop Pollution

Southern Water recently highlighted how fatbergs are one of the biggest hidden threats in our drainage system. These heavy, cement-like blockages form when fats, oils, wipes, and waste solidify inside underground pipes.

They don't just cause blocked drains – they lead to flooding, pollution, and damage to our rivers and streams throughout the South of England.

At ASL Limited, we see the same problem up close – not just in the public sewer network, but on private properties too.

Most people assume:

"Once the waste leaves my house, it's someone else's problem."

But in reality: Pollution often begins at home.

The Hidden Chain Reaction

When fat or wipes go down a drain – even in tiny amounts, a few times a week – they don't disappear.

They stick, they build, and over time they block.

This triggers a chain of problems:

• Toilets back up inside the house
• Manholes overflow outside
• Polluted water enters soakaways, ditches, and streams
• Treatment systems fail under the pressure

One household habit can affect an entire community.

A Shared Responsibility

Water companies work hard — clearing blockages, upgrading sewers, monitoring pollution.

But they cannot fix household habits.

This is something we influence every day:

🏠 In the kitchen

🚽 In the bathroom

🌧️ In the garden

At ASL Limited, we maintain drainage systems across Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex and surrounding areas – but even the best engineers cannot "out-work" daily habits that cause the damage.

The good news is that solutions are simple.

Five Simple Ways to Help Protect Drains, Streams & Our Land

1. Keep fats and oils out of the sink

Let the fat cool → wipe off with kitchen roll → put it in the food bin.

Even small amounts can build into blockages.

2. Only flush the Three Ps

Pee, Poo & Paper

Not wipes, not cotton buds, not sanitary products — even if they say "flushable."

3. Service your septic tank or treatment plant regularly

A healthy system protects your land and the environment.

Learn why maintenance matters:

🔗 What is a Septic Tank and Why Do They Fail?

4. Keep gullies and soakaways clear

Blocked gullies send polluted water into ditches or into the foul system.

🔗 What's the Difference Between a Road Gully and a Rainwater Gully?

5. Dispose of chemicals responsibly

Paint, cement washout and oil disrupt the natural bacteria treatment systems rely on — affecting soil, gardens, streams and drinking water.

Why Private Systems Matter

A lot of homes in our region rely on septic tanks, treatment plants, and pump stations.

When these systems are overloaded with:

• Roof water
• Surface water
• Grease or wipes
   

They fail — and untreated water can escape into local land and streams.

To understand the chain reaction clearly:

🔗 Preventative Maintenance vs Reactive Maintenance

Our Commitment at ASL Limited

For more than 25 years, we have supported homes and communities with responsible drainage care.

We invest in:

• Skilled local teams
• Regular training
• Good systems
• Quality equipment
   

But more than that — we take pride in protecting the land we all share.

Together, One Drain at a Time

Pollution doesn't only come from factories or public sewers.

It starts in every household – and so does the solution.

We are proud of the rivers, fields, woodlands and villages we work in.

And we're proud to play our part in keeping them healthy.

This land is ours to protect – and we're proud to do our bit.