He’s among Severn Trent ‘sewer detectives’ helping clear blockages caused by ‘unflushables’ like wet wipes being put down the toilet.

Tom Pitchford, 27, helps teams called out to tackle problems ranging from people flushing the wrong things down the loo, or putting fats, oils and greases (FOG)  down kitchen sinks.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers fan highlighted some of the strangest discoveries found in the sewers to mark the annual Unblocktober awareness campaign.

Tom, Waste Catchment Lead for the Central Birmingham and Walsall areas, said: “I help and support the work of our operatives called out to tackle the blockages and also attend incidents myself.

“I suppose we are like sewer detectives because we have to investigate to identify the blockages, including using CCTV cameras we put down the sewers, and then clear them.

“The strangest thing I’ve heard found down the sewers was a decapitated teddy bear in Birmingham. I don’t know how it got there, or why it had no head! But it certainly should not be there.”

Other incidents Tom recalled was a bucket being found in the sewers and even a table leg.

The former mechanic joined Severn Trent 18 months ago. He is based at Minworth sewage treatment works and his day to day role is reviewing the work of blockage teams to ensure problems are resolved for customers.

He is also occasionally called in to help carry out investigations on site himself, including repeat blockages.

“It’s a great job, every day is different,” said Tom, whose passion away from Wolves is travelling to far-off countries. 

“The satisfaction of helping customers by sorting out what can be upsetting blockages and flooding for them is the best part of the role for me. I’ve had quite a few cups of tea as a thank-you!

“I do think the messages from the Unblocktober campaign are getting through to people. They should know that if they put the wrong things down the toilet or sink then it causes blockage and flooding which can affect them and their neighbours.”

And Tom added: “People should only be flushing the ‘three Ps’ down the toilet – poo, pee and paper – and certainly not teddy bears!”

Around two and a half tonnes of wet wipes are pulled out of our sewers per year, while around 14 million litres of FOG are successfully cleared - the equivalent of SIX Olympic size swimming pools.  

Other items that cause issues for households include kitchen roll, cotton buds, nappies and sanitary products.

Grant Mitchell, Sewer Blockages Lead at Severn Trent, said: “Our work preventing and clearing blockages is something we talk about all year round, but Unblocktober is the perfect time to reinforce the 3Ps  messages to our customers.”

A spokesperson from The Lanes Group, which organises Unblocktober, added: “Unblocktober is the first campaign driven by the British public and aims to continue to improve the health of our drains and reduce the environmental impact of our waste water. Now in our sixth year we are more committed than ever to continue to push the message to help people reduce their impact on the environment. “

For advice about blockages visit www.stwater.co.uk/avoidblockages or to see our Sewer Stories visit for more information about the Unblocktober campaign visit www.unblocktober.org.