Network protection and enforcement
The Network Protection and Enforcement team are skilled investigators who protect our sewer network from the causes of blockages, flooding and pollution in order to protect the environment.
What does the Network Protection and Enforcement team do?
Our Network Protection and Enforcement Officers are a team of skilled investigators, including some retired police officers, who each cover one of our regions: Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Working under the Water Industry Act 1991 (Sections 111 and 118-121), they work with teams across the business to keep our sewers healthy and prevent blockages. Sewer blockages can result in devastating flooding and pollution, so there needs to be some control around how our network is used by businesses before we reach the need for enforcement.
Working with teams across the business
Trade effluent
The Network Protection and Enforcement Officers support Trade Effluent Inspectors in their investigations with breaches of trade effluent consents. These are licences held by businesses that produce wastewater, allowing them to discharge their waste into a sewer.
Regular samples of the wastewater are collected to reduce the risk of misuse which may cause blockages, flooding and pollution. These also help support investigations and enforcements.
If a consent is breached, the company could be taken to court.
Imported tankered waste
Some of our larger wastewater treatment sites allow the treatment of tankered trade waste (not from the public sewer) and domestic tankered waste (from residential cess pits and septic tanks).
The Network Protection and Enforcement Officers control the appropriate use of tankered waste to protect our wastewater treatment sites and keep them operating correctly. Officers also support the Environmental Agency by investigating the fly tipping of wastewater into manholes, putting increased pressure on our network.
Fat, oil and grease
Fat, oil and grease is produced in every kitchen, including your kitchen at home. Cafés, restaurants, and takeaways all have foodservice kitchens and it’s the job of our Network Protection and Enforcement Officers to inspect these kitchens to make sure fat, oil and grease are being disposed of correctly.
Our team serve approximately 28,000 foodservice kitchens and from time to time, some of these may have caused or contributed to a blockage in our sewer.
When inspecting businesses our Network and Protection Enforcement team offer advice and information on how to prevent fat, oil and grease entering the sewer and causing blockages, fatbergs and odours which can disrupt business and damage the environment.
Developer services
Our Developer Services team help builders, housing developers and construction companies connect to our sewer network or build over or close to one. To do this, permission is required under sections 106 and 185 of the Water Industry Act 1991.
The Network Protection and Enforcement Officers support our Developer Services team who provide details of each application and where applications have not been made. This allows the Network Protection and Enforcement Officers to investigate and provide enforcement to make sure applications are made and approved in-line with construction regulations and the Water Industry Act.
Damages to our network
Network Protection and Enforcement Officers investigate damages to our sewer network and owned assets and look to recover the cost of putting things right. Damages could include:
- Concrete entering the sewer from a building or housing development.
- Heating oil escaping fuel tanks or fuel delivery trucks.
- People illegally entering the sewer.
- Illegal or wrong connections between sewers and drains.
The misuse of sewers can have a huge impact on our precious environment. Our team work closely with the Environment Agency to investigate pollutions and prevent them from happening.
Power of entry
Under sections 168 – 172 of the Water Industry Act 1991, Network Protection Enforcement Officers have the power to enter any premises for the purpose of carrying out their work. Before doing so, they will always seek the permission and co-operation of the owner, landlord or occupant of any premises, land, or property.
Enforcement
Network protection officers will try to resolve any issues before using any legislation. Prosecution is a last resort, and their work is based around the five E's:
How can I contact a Network Protection Enforcement Officer?
If you’d like to avoid blockages, potential flooding, and pollutions within your business, get in touch with one of our Network Protection Enforcement Officers by contacting our call centre on 0330 303 0368 or emailing Netproenf@southernwater.co.uk.