TV documentary gets down and dirty with Rochdale wastewater technicians

Photo: United Utilities

United Utilities’ Rochdale wastewater technicians Rob Hardie and Mark Holland who are appearing in a new documentary, Sewermen

They’re the hardy souls who turn out all hours and all weathers to unblock sewers and keep the taps running for seven million people across the North West and a new documentary series will show life at the sharp end for the staff of United Utilities.

Among the show’s ‘stars’ are Rochdale wastewater technicians Mark Holland and his team mate Rob Hardie, who works for United Utilities’ contract partner Sapphire. Their job is to respond to and sort out sewer problems affecting customers.

The show follows Mark and Rob as they clear blockages and floods in homes and businesses across east Lancashire bringing their unique banter and friendship along the way.

Mark said: “We had to get used to having the camera pushed in our faces but then we quite enjoyed it. I’m not so sure about seeing and hearing myself on television though. No-one likes to hear themselves, do they? But if it helps our customers see the work we do and understand a bit more about what not to flush, it will have been worth it.”

Added Rob: “I don’t work with Mark all the time, but it was a pleasure to work with him. My children are excited to see me on telly, but I’m well nervous about it.”

The new no-holds-barred documentary called Sewermen will be shown on 5Spike (Freeview channel 31) from week and follows the trials and triumphs of the men and women whose job is delivering some of our most vital and least glamorous household services – water and wastewater.

Fatbergs, blockages and goo are the order of the day, but it’s not all about sewers. The series also follows United Utilities’ clean water staff as they keep the region’s tap water up to scratch and work against the clock to build the UK’s biggest new water pipeline in Cumbria.

To make the programme, cameras were given unique behind the scenes, under the ground and round the bend access to United Utilities 5,000 employees and almost 120,000 kilometres of pipes from Carlisle to Crewe.

The first episode sees the launch of a mammoth water pipeline tunnelling machine under the Lake District as well as a flooded pub in Blackburn and whiffy basement in Birkenhead.

Commenting on why United Utilities had decided to open its doors, Customer and People Director Louise Beardmore said: “We’re one of the North West’s most familiar household names and millions of people rely on us. The chance to show our customers the real people who keep the region’s tens of thousands of kilometres of pipes flowing was not to be missed. They keep smiling even when the job gets really difficult and the pride they have in serving our customers just shines through.”

The first show of Sewermen, the sometimes hilarious, often icky, but always interesting documentary series, will be broadcast at 9pm on 20 June on 5Spike, with the rest of the series continuing on subsequent Thursdays.