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Some of Severn Trent’s unsung heroes have taken a starring role in a new ITV documentary that aired last week (Thursday 25th July).

‘Sewer Men’ follows workers from Severn Trent as they unblock toilets and drains, fix leaks and bursts and welcome visitors to the company’s reservoirs. Filmed during the incredible heatwave last summer, the programme lifts the lid on what it takes to keep the UK’s water and waste pipes flowing.

Chad Cole, from Birmingham, and Liam Prosser, from Leicester, who both appear in the show as an inseparable team, explain: “People never think about how the water gets to their taps or what happens to their waste because they don’t have to. 

“Which is where this programme comes in – it’s a brilliant way to show our customers how we get clean water to them and what it takes to takes away the dirty water.”

Phil Powell and John McGregor, both from Birmingham, are another double team who appear. They said: “We both work on the waste side and I’m not sure there’s that many people who envy us but it’s a brilliant job that’s incredibly rewarding because you’re making sure customers don’t have to worry about what happens when they flush the loo.

“Imagine if we weren’t out there doing what we were doing – being out at all hours of the day in all weathers, fixing burst pipes and unblocking sewers. 

“But we’re really proud the programme has shown what a great bunch of people there are at Severn Trent, all working to do whatever we can to help our customers.”

The programme also features staff from Severn Trent’s contract partners. 

Mark Davies, who works for Lanes and is from Tamworth, is part of the team that delivers sewer network maintenance for Amey on behalf of Severn Trent. He said:

“Sometimes it does turn your stomach a little bit. It’s the fat that’s the worst, rather than the pony. Pony – yeah, that’s another word for the poo. It’s just a nice word in front of the customers, not all of them like us calling it poo and other choice words, if you get me.”

Severn Trent hopes the documentary will also have some practical outcomes, by encouraging customers to be smarter about how much water they use and by having a better understanding of what you can and can’t put down the sink or flush down the toilet.

“Our teams face the challenge of keeping the water flowing and keeping the sewers free from blockages every day,” said Chad.

“It’s so important that our customers get great service, all day, every day, and I reckon they can see that we’re doing a great job, all the while making sure the environment’s protected.  For me, everyone who works in the water industry are the nation’s unsung heroes.”  

If you missed ‘Sewer Men’, you can watch it on catch-up, and make sure you tune in for episode two next Thursday (1st August) at 9pm on ITV.