Resolution of Burpham Sewer Problem Expected Today

Published on: 30 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 31 Aug, 2017

Tankers involved in the 24-hour pumping operation at Bowers Lane.

The blocked sewer in Burpham that has been a problem for thirty days should be cleared today (August 30, 2017), according to Thames Water.

In a statement a spokesperson said: “We’re sorry for the time taken to resolve this issue, but it was important we used the right equipment to safely remove the blockage from the sewer without causing further damage.

“The blockage is formed of a number of items and substances which should never have been put down drains such as wipes, sanitary products, fat and general rubbish.

One of the blocked manholes in Burpham.

“We urge people in the area to not flush such things down their sinks and drains in future to avoid further blockages, which as this recent incident has demonstrated, can be very disruptive. Our message is clear. Bin it – don’t block it.”

Jim Allen, a resident of Bower’s Lane where tankers have been pumping sewage from the blocked pipe around the clock, for weeks, said: “Well tankers are still present at the moment [3.20pm August 30] but I have heard locally that the blockage has been cleared.

“Obviously certain items should not be disposed of down the toilet etc but why has this sewer not been cleared and serviced in living memory and why didn’t they know the design of this part of the system?

“I hope they now check other parts of the local system to see if there any others problems elsewhere.”

Allen reported that Guildford’s MP Anne Milton had got involved at Director level in recent days. Anne Milton has not confirmed this.

Responses to Resolution of Burpham Sewer Problem Expected Today

Jim Allen Reply

August 30, 2017 at 4:02 pm

Profit orientated Denver Colorado USA, clean and check 47 miles of sewer per year – yet not one inch of Thames Water sewers are checked and serviced – they are merely cleaned when blocked.

At an estimated cost of £2,000 per day, per tanker means their failing to clean the sewers on a regular basis has cost an estimated £70,000 just keep the sewer below total flood, let alone the numerous other attempts and vehicles which appeared on an irregular basis.

It would have been so much cheaper to clean on a regular basis, say one every 15 years! The fact they don’t know the layout of their own system is another questionable facet of what occurred.

So now the blame game will start – with the customer being blamed for the companies profit motivated lack of rational cleaning procedures.
Nyree Lowndes Reply

August 31, 2017 at 6:57 pm

Oh, so that’s why our road’s sewers were cleaned through last week! I did wonder. It was just Thames Water taking pre-emptive action to avoid yet more bad publicity, then.

Mind you, when a neighbour comes home to find her garden awash with raw sewage because the next house up the ‘line’ insists on flushing away liners and pads, and she has no non-return valve to stop it entering her drains.

It’s pretty disgusting how ignorant and selfish some people can be.