Neglecting drains and culverts can lead to a block to the flow of water, causing flooding. As well as the inconvenience and cost to human activity, we sometimes overlook the harm that flooding does to the environment, including wildlife, plants and the soil.

For organisations responsible for premises containing a drain and sewer network, the lack of a regular maintenance programme can allow drains, sewers and culverts to be blocked up by foliage, rubbish or silt. They may also become damaged or collapsed. This means water can’t flow properly through the drainage system, backing up and causing destruction to the environment, including natural habitats, and potential health hazards, in a number of ways.

Erosion

Flood water flowing down channels at high volume often leads to erosion of the surrounding soil, eroding its fertility as well as damaging roads and buildings. Floods also cause landslides and mudflows, which may be a risk to people and their property.

Vegetation

Plants also suffer from flooding. Water running over land and down slopes without catch basin or trench drain containment carries soil, mulch, and debris with it and robs trees and plants of nutrients

Pollution

Standing water attracts mosquitoes and other insects that carry diseases. Additionally, standing water can become a hazard for fish and animals that depend on clean water sources for their survival. Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and often gets covered in algae, killing off fish

Waterlife

Birds, fish and insects and mammals rely on healthy waterways for their survival so if these watercourses are not maintained properly then it can mean the end for these species in some cases.

For example, insects sometimes lay their eggs in watercourses, which can lead to the growth of insect larvae. These larvae then become food for other animals such as birds or fish when they hatch out into adulthood.

Animals

It also floods tunnels and holes that are the homes not only to riverside creatures but to burrowing animals in the surrounding countryside.

Neglected waterways can also become polluted, killing off wildlife and reducing biodiversity and causing other environmental and public health problems.

Some birds are dependent on wetland habitats as breeding grounds, while others use these areas during migration season to restock their energy reserves before continuing their journey southward.

Doing your duty to the environment, looking after your drains

Storm drains and culverts are important defences to a premises. Our team at Drain and Sewer Surfaces are experienced at with our drain cleaning, drain unblocking and drain repair services, carrying out the maintenance needed to ensure waterways are doing their job, protecting premises and the environment:

  • Clearing debris and dumped rubbish which can be washed into watercourses by heavy rainfall
  • Surveying and repairing drains
  • Constructing retaining walls along the banks of the watercourse to prevent erosion and prevent soil clogging up culverts
  • Clearing vegetation from around culverts to ensure freeflow of water

Do you need help with blocked drains or sewers?

Within the boundaries of a business premises, the owner is responsible for making sure that guttering, drains, gullies, culverts and soakaways, etc. are kept clean to allow surface water to run off efficiently.

If you are responsible for a large property with a drainage system running through it and you need to talk about maintaining your surface water drainage systems, then call our team at Drain and Sewers on 01252 312738 or email info@drainandsewer.co.uk to find out how we can help.