Plain answers about the problem, the dogs and how Eco Dog Solutions CIC works.
A drainage misconnection is when household wastewater is connected to the surface water drainage system instead of the foul drainage system. It can allow untreated wastewater to reach a river or brook.
Surface water drainage often runs straight to the nearest river or brook. If an appliance is connected to that route by mistake, wastewater can bypass treatment and flow into the waterway.
Misconnections are widespread enough to be a recognised issue across the UK. The exact scale in any given catchment is what surveys establish.
With the right training, a dog can learn to indicate a specific target odour in a working environment. The dogs screen accessible drainage assets and help identify points that need further investigation.
No. This work needs specialist scent training, careful handling and managed working sessions. The dog must be suited to the task and its welfare comes first.
The health, safety and wellbeing of the dogs come first, always. Dogs work managed sessions with rest and reward built in.
No. All work is at surface level and non-intrusive. Surveys are carried out only where safe access, permissions and risk assessments are in place.
A dog indication identifies suspected contamination, not a confirmed misconnection at a property. Appropriate investigation is needed before any corrective work is undertaken.
No blame. A connection may have been installed wrongly years before you moved in, or simply never noticed. Our aim is to solve the problem, not assign blame.
Repairs are carried out by an independent, qualified and insured plumber. Where funding allows, we aim to remove cost as a barrier to getting eligible work completed.
A drainage issue needs appropriate investigation before a misconnection can be confirmed. If you are concerned, seek professional advice and do not make DIY alterations to drainage connections.
Eco Dog Solutions CIC holds public liability insurance. Further information can be requested before a survey is arranged.
Yes. We work to written risk assessments and method statements, available on request before any survey. All surveys are subject to safe access, appropriate permissions and risk assessments.
It depends on access, layout, conditions and operational requirements. Pilot work is how we establish realistic rates for a particular catchment.
Depending on scope, outputs can include GPS-referenced indication locations, photographs and timestamps, drainage asset observations and maps of suspected contamination pathways. Findings, technical summaries, recommendations and optional follow-up screening can also be included.
Scope and cost are agreed case by case. Get in touch to discuss the catchment, access requirements and the right next step.
A Community Interest Company exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders. Eco Dog Solutions CIC is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee.
Donations, grants and other income support environmental work and necessary running costs. Any surplus goes back into the work: more surveys, more repairs, cleaner rivers.
Donations to a CIC are not tax deductible. Eco Dog Solutions CIC is a CIC rather than a registered charity.
Follow the News page for updates as work develops. You can also follow Eco Dog Solutions on Instagram.