A SURVEY of the 100 sewers in Henley has not up turned up any problems so far.

On Monday, Thames Water contractor Envirowaste started investigating the waste pipes using CCTV cameras.

Watch our video chat with the Thames Water team here.

The survey, aimed at finding blockages and faults in the system, is expected to take six weeks but could last longer if repairs are needed.

A 20-strong team from Envirowaste is using a remote camera called a Portareel, which is attached to a cable and fed into the pipes through a plastic tube.

It can extend almost 200ft and must be pushed into the system by hand.

The workmen can look at the inside of the sewer via a video screen.

If any blockages are found, they will be dislodged using a high-pressure jet washer and removed.

The procedure is known as sewer drainage and clearance, or SDAC.

Envirowaste's SDAC project manager Michael Cathorne said: "This type of work is more complex, because you're looking for the root cause of problems.

"We don't just do a stand¬ard survey; we gather as much information as possible so that we have a better understand¬ing of how we can improve the network."

This week, Envirowaste is checking in and around the centre of Henley, including the town hall.

The men thought a lighting rod on the side of the build¬ing had broken through into a nearby sewer, but the camera showed it was intact.

In the next few weeks, Envirowaste will be spreading out to cover all of Henley's outly¬ing residential areas.

Henley mayor Elizabeth Hodgkin was out on Wednes¬day to inspect the company's work.

She said: "This is a preventative measure, which is really important. It will hopefully pre-empt emergency works.

"There have been certain areas in town, like Hart Street or the town hall, where the drains continually get blocked.

"We end having to close half or even the whole road for repairs, and traffic gets backed up, so this is a much better way of dealing with things.

"I think if all the utility companies regularly inspected

what they have underground in town, it would be much better."

Every Wednesday, Thames Water will have staff in Market Square explaining the work and how residents can do their bit to protect sewers and not flush away items that could damage them.

Published 19/10/12