Drainage Survey and Cleaning Services
At RSM we understand the importance of environmental compliance and the need for businesses and public sector customers to adhere to the most recent drainage and waste disposal regulations.
This means it is imperative to have auditable visibility and regular maintenance of your drainage system.
We offer a complete drainage service so you can understand, address and prevent any drainage issues at your site.
Contact Us

We offer drainage surveying and cleaning services across the UK.

Our team of expert engineers are here to help conduct drainage maintenance and testing.

We can map out the most extensive drainage systems with CCTV cameras, robotics, and computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
Complete drainage services we offer:
> Environmental risk assessments
> CCTV drainage surveys
> CAD and mapping
> Drainage connectivity surveys
> Interceptor integrity surveys
> Drain and interceptor repairs
> Interceptor cleaning and emptying
> Bund emptying and cleaning
> Bund and interceptor monitoring
> Drain closure systems
> Spill response
Contact Us
Speak to one of our experts today about our drainage services and drainage CCTV surveys or visit our contact page.
01422 291 277
Environmental Risk Assessments
An Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) is undertaken by one of our team of compliance experts and illustrates and advises you on any areas we think need attention to reduce waste management costs and mitigate pollution risks.
Our ERA procedure is based on thorough examinations of four areas of your site infrastructure:
Areas:
> Bunded area(s) with bulk storage
> Drainage (and associated plans)
> Pollution incident response plans
> Drain closure systems


CCTV drainage surveys
Too often, a CCTV drainage survey is performed because there is an issue in the system, but regular maintenance can prevent costly repairs and any potential pollution incidents.
Our CCTV drainage surveys use state-of-the-art, high-tech CCTV cameras. These are either manually operated by a highly trained RSM engineer or are attached to a robot, which can be safely navigated through extensive drainage systems by one of our operators.
Our drainage surveys are delivered by expertly trained and experienced engineers, who produce a fixed price, sitewide comprehensive environmental report.
The CCTV survey is designed to identify and report on:
- > Any blockages or leaks within the drainage system
- > Cracked or collapsed drains
- > Scale build-up
- > Displaced joints
- > Tree root ingress
- > Symptoms of poor insulation
- > A site map with a schematic drawing of the drainage system
- > An asset register consisting of the size, location and access points of each drain section
- > Manhole and interceptor records showing images of such assets
Outside the maintenance inspection of an incumbent drainage system, it is also essential to have a ‘pre-build’ CCTV drain survey for any new build or property. Local water authorities insist on this if building is taking place near or around their pipe network. In this case, we use CCTV to prevent damage to an existing but separate system.
CCTV surveys in commercial or large public environments are part of what is sometimes called a ‘drain mapping’ process, helping customers gain site-wide visibility of their drainage network. Our report results provide an in-depth drainage layout plan, which can be tailored to your requirements.
We consider ‘drain mapping’ and regular CCTV surveys vital and mandatory requirements for any robust, preventative maintenance programme. Having visibility of your drainage and interceptor system on a scheduled basis is crucial when managing and mitigating on-site pollution prevention measures. Having up-to-date and accurate information allows you to deliver an efficient and effective response in the event of a fuel or chemical spill, fire or any other emergency.
A site-wide drainage plan is the ONLY way to effectively prevent pollution or environmental risk when you store large quantities of hazardous material.
CAD and mapping
While a CCTV drainage survey gives you entry level schematic plans and the routes of all the drains on your site, we use CAD surveys to support the creation, modification, analysis, and optimisation of the sewer design and layout.
We leverage CAD to provide precise and detailed as-built drawings. Our CAD survey techniques ensure accuracy and efficiency, turning physical drainage and interceptor routes and environments into detailed digital models.


Drainage connectivity surveys
Whether you are checking your IPPC compliance, or just wish to have a better understanding of the sewer network, a basic connectivity survey is a suitable solution.
Using a combination of dye testing, sounding between manholes, electro-magnetic location with a line threader, sonde (beacon) and GPS, we can locate and map most drainage networks back to either the connection point with the public main sewer or point of outfall.
Having a better understanding of the effects your drainage system may have on the surrounding environment is a great advantage, it keeps you compliant and mitigates any risk of an unnoticed pollution event. This facility maps sewers from the source through its route and onto the receptor.
The level of detail collated depends on the project requirement. However, you can expect information on sewer type, pipe size, depth to the exit pipe, flow direction and condition at accessible points.
Should a project require a greater depth of information we would suggest requesting photographic MH cards (like the STC 25 standard) as this would deliver good tangible data benefitting any asset management programme.
Interceptor integrity surveys
An interceptor, sometimes called a ‘separator’, is a large underground tank that is fed by a drainage system and designed to protect the environment from an oil or chemical spill. Rainwater can run off and enter an interceptor without posing a risk, allowing most hydrocarbons to remain floating on the top and filtered water to be released into the drainage system.
Interceptors are designed especially as pollution prevention and control devices. They are usually in areas of high pollution, or at risk of pollution. In most cases, people are unaware that their site contains interceptors. Still, the likelihood is that water on site will lead to a tank/interceptor where any potential pollutants can settle out.
There are no legal requirements surrounding the management of interceptors, which is why they are often forgotten and left unmanaged, posing a significant and unnoticed pollution risk.
However, all businesses are responsible for preventing pollution, and under the Water Resources Act 1991, it is a criminal offence to cause or knowingly permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, or any solid waste matter to enter any controlled waters.
Integrity surveys for interceptors provide a more detailed and comprehensive analysis of the condition of the assets you have on site. This makes sure they are in good working order and provide preventative pollution controls when you need them most.


Drain and interceptor repairs
Interceptors are designed to trap harmful substances before they enter or pollute a wider drainage system or environment. However, if they are blocked or have failed integrally, they can flood or pose a much bigger pollution risk.
Interceptors require regular and scheduled maintenance, including cleaning, repairing and emptying. By ensuring your interceptor is operating efficiently you’ll reduce the risk of on-site flooding and pollution.
RSM engineers are trained to service, maintain and repair all types of fuel and oil interceptors.