Thames Water deploys ‘baby hedgehogs’ to clear sewers

Thames Water has introduced new 10cm sewer-clearing devices nicknamed ‘baby hedgehogs’ to remove blockages caused by wet wipes in narrow pipes.

The tools are a smaller version of the company’s original 15cm ‘hedgehog’-style devices and are designed to access tighter sections of the sewer network.

Alex Dudfield, pollution improvement manager at Thames Water, said: “Even the smallest tools can make a huge difference to our network.

“Our new baby hedgehogs allow us to reach parts of the sewer system that were previously difficult to clear.

“They help us work out where the wipes are coming from which means we can talk to the right people and stop blockages before they cause real problems.

“By tackling wipes at the source, we’re protecting homes, the environment and the wider network.”

The miniature tools clear wipes and debris before they form serious blockages, helping to prevent sewer flooding in homes and reducing pressure on the broader network.

Wet wipes remain a major cause of sewer blockages, contributing to property damage and road flooding, and costing an estimated £40 million annually.

So far this year, Thames Water has cleared more than 18,000 blockages, averaging more than 200 per day.

The company continues to remind customers to flush only the ‘three Ps’ – pee, poo, and toilet paper – and to bin wet wipes to prevent fatbergs and sewer blockages.