WAKEFIELD CCTV DRAINAGE INSPECTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF ACO DRAINS
Since the opening of our new Manchester office, we have welcomed an increase in work around the North of England, being seen as the go-to drainage contractor in the region.
We were instructed by a client to conduct a CCTV drainage inspection on a site in Wakefield as part of a portfolio.
Whilst there were numerous seized covers, silt and debris build up, all key signs of a poorly maintained drainage system, there were also a number of blocked and broken ACO drains.
ACO drains get frequently overlooked; they are smaller than gullies and are very common. During rainfall, they play a vital role in capturing surface water and taking it below the ground and into the system. This reduces the risk of standing water, preventing asset damage and serious heath and safety risks.
Particularly on a busy site, they are key to avoiding:
- Ice and black ice
- Flooding
- Asset damage
- Water ingress
- Pollution
Whilst our engineers were onsite, they were also advised that there was an attenuation tank. However, we couldn’t confirm this as the inspection chambers were so full of water it was unable to be identified.
Furthermore, it was discovered that there were no oil interceptors serving the surface-water system. Whilst there is no legal requirement to install an oil interceptor, it is sensible to capture any contaminants that do enter the system from the surface, preventing it leaving site and causing pollution – potentially causing reputational damage and fines if caught.
If this site continues to operate without addressing the drainage system, the issues identified indicate a high likelihood of flooding occurring following heavy rainfall as the site has no available capacity to accommodate additional surface water.
Such issues are commonly underestimated, yet they can lead to substantial operational and environmental consequences when neglected. It is therefore strongly recommended that annual maintenance is instructed to prevent costly and disruptive issues occurring that could have been avoided.
