Condition survey at a Sixth Form College in Ashton-under-LyNe

We carried out CCTV drainage inspections using a push-rod camera system, focusing on the areas linked to the three reported problems.

Art Block Drainage Investigation

The majority of the foul and surface water drainage within the art block area was found to be in good condition. However, several localised defects and restrictions were identified across the network.

The findings included:

• A blockage from one manhole, with a suspected defective connection

• Foreign objects within the invert of one line, creating a blockage risk

• Rubble present within several drainage runs

• Severely fractured and deformed sections from one catch pit

• Areas of collapse within the drainage network

• Silt accumulation within one drainage line

We recommended remedial works for the more significant defects, particularly where blockages, defective connections, foreign objects, severe fracturing, deformation or collapse were recorded.

For the remaining lines, we recommended high-pressure water jetting followed by reinspection to confirm that no further defects were present once the pipework had been cleaned.

Headmaster’s Office Foul Smell Investigation

We inspected the drainage line from the soil vent pipe serving the headmaster’s office to assess the cause of the reported foul odours. The CCTV survey identified multiple displaced joints along the run, together with sections of pipework holding water between the rest bend and the downstream manhole.

Standing foul water can stagnate and release gases within the drainage system, making these findings a likely contributor to the odour issue. The displaced joints also represented structural defects. If left unaddressed, they could worsen over time, increase the risk of leakage or ground ingress, and create catch points for debris that may affect flow.

We recommended high-pressure water jetting to cleanse the pipework and remove any accumulated deposits. Following cleaning, we advised that targeted structural repairs should be considered, including structural patch lining at key displacement locations where suitable.

Where internal repairs are not suitable, targeted excavation may be required to expose the drainage line and complete effective structural repairs.

Sports Pitch Drainage Investigation

We also inspected the field drainage system to identify the root cause of poor drainage and waterlogging on the sports pitches. The survey identified several significant issues across the field drainage network, including:

• Obstructions within one line, including pipe material and settled deposits

• One line subject to 100% cross-sectional loss due to soil ingress

• Broken pipe sections allowing water to escape during periods of heavy rainfall

• Multiple fractured, cracked and broken sections

• Attached deposits reducing the internal bore of the pipework

• Deformed sections across various drainage lines

Several broken sections were identified within the sports pitch drainage system. These defects would allow water to egress from the drainage network during heavy rainfall, reducing the effectiveness of the system and contributing to poor drainage conditions on the pitches.

One line was found to have complete cross-sectional loss due to soil ingress, preventing effective flow and requiring urgent attention. For the line affected by fractured, cracked and broken sections, attached deposits and reduced bore, we recommended high-pressure water jetting followed by urgent structural lining.

The deformed sections were not considered critical at the time of survey, but we recommended that they be monitored to ensure they do not deteriorate further.