Sewage from 400 homes finally directed away from Dagenham’s River Roding tributary

The same stretch of water in Mayesbrook after pollution levels have dropped (Image: Archant)

The work began back in 2010 after dirty water from toilets, showers and washing machines in Dagenham was found to have been running into drains meant only for rainwater and ending up in the brook tributary.

After an extensive investigation into 10,000 homes north of Mayesbrook and up to the A12 by the Environment Agency and Thames Water, it was discovered that 231 washing machines, 23 toilets and 860 housing appliances had been wrongly connected.

Environment officer Shaz Isaac said: “Washing machines, showers and toilets were regularly discharging into the watercourse and reducing the water quality for the wildlife and creating an unpleasant environment in the brook.”

To identify problem areas the Thames Water team hung wire cages inside the drain network in a bid to catch toilet and kitchen waste and other evidence of pollution as it was flushed out of toilets and taps and along to the watercourse.

Investigators used techniques such as putting dye in plumbing water to see where it travelled (Image: Archant)

Once hotspots were identified further work was carried out, including household surveys, CCTV surveys and placing colourful dye into toilets to trace where it flushed.

According to Brighid Rowan, from Thames Water’s environment team, pollution levels have now significantly reduced after the pipes were redirected – but there is still a “massive job” left to trace more misconnections.

“No one wants toilets emptying directly into their local river so it’s a great feeling to have sorted this problem out and improved the water quality in the brook,” he said.

“It’s really important anyone having extensions built or carrying out plumbing work employs a reputable plumber and knows exactly where their wastewater is heading.”

Visit connectright.org.uk for advice on environmentally friendly plumbing.