Curdworth Drainage Survey

THE PROBLEM

Back in July we conducted a Drainage Survey of a huge piece of land in Curdworth, Sutton Coldfield, to inform a drainage strategy. Previous investigations that the customer had conducted using CCTV and Risk of Flooding from Surface Water (RoSW) data had not provided a good overview, and the drainage connectivity of the site was unclear.

Initially our client came to us with the following brief;
“We are working on a project which requires a bit of problem solving, initiative, or maybe a new approach to trace some drainage downstream of our clients site. A couple of survey companies have tried, but have not quite delivered.”

The CCTV that had already been conducted of the underground pipework was inconclusive as to where the pipework ended and subsequent outfalls were, and indeed if there was a good connectivity downstream of the site that could be sustained in the long term. 

THE SOLUTION

Using a combination of CAT and Genny with FlexiTrace, metal detectors and CCTV we located a large number of additional manhole covers that were not on the original topographic survey or CCTV reports. Many of these covers were deep in vegetation or buried, so needed to be completely dug-out. ​

By taking a staged approach in bringing all the possibilities of how the site drains connected, we were able to drive the investigations and achieve the aim.

The early stages included an initial walkover of the site, lifting manholes, sounding manholes, using FlexiTrace connectivity where possible. This led to interpreting the findings and recommending the next steps.

Next we unblocked pipes using a jetter and then conducted CCTV to progress the survey.

Finally we conducted a supplementary survey to infill the missing data not discovered in the early stages.

When we established the drainage connectivity on the site, all pipes and outflows needed to be assessed for condition and material, a CCTV survey was carried out to provide a condition survey as well as the accurate layout plans. ​

“The client came to us for help in analysing information from various sources, each bit of information was incomplete. Whilst each of the previous visits had found out a little bit more, it needed someone to take responsibility for driving the investigation forward. We achieved this using various techniques, engaging sub contractors over multiple visits, always focusing on the end goal. We have left the client with a much better understanding of the drainage routes enabling them to progress their project.”  
Chris - GCS Surveyor managing the project.