Accreditations & Certifications
Why qualifications matter when choosing a drainage company, and the rigorous standards we uphold to protect your property.
Why Accreditations Matter
The drainage industry is largely unregulated, which means anyone can buy a van, a basic camera, and call themselves a "drainage expert." Unfortunately, hiring unqualified individuals often leads to misdiagnosed problems, unsafe working practices, and ultimately, more expensive repairs down the line.
At CleverWorks, we believe in doing things right. We have invested heavily in industry-leading training, software, and certifications. This means that when we conduct a CCTV drainage survey, clear a blockage, or repair a collapsed pipe, you can trust that the work is being carried out safely, legally, and to the exact standards required by UK water authorities and insurers.
WRC Approved
What it is: The WRC sets the national standards for water fittings and materials in the UK. Being WRC approved means our reporting methods and software adhere strictly to these national guidelines.
Why it matters: If you need a drainage survey for a mortgage application, an insurance claim, or a build-over agreement, the report must be WRC compliant. A report from an uncertified company will likely be rejected, forcing you to pay for a second survey.
In practice: Every CCTV drainage survey report we produce is fully WRC compliant, guaranteeing it will be accepted by all major UK water boards, insurers, and mortgage lenders.
LWA Approved Report & Software
What it is: Certification that the specific software and reporting formats we use meet the exact technical requirements of Local Water Authorities (such as Thames Water or Southern Water).
Why it matters: When planning an extension or new build near public sewers, you must submit a survey to your local water authority. They require specific data formats and coding standards.
In practice: We use industry-standard, LWA-approved software to generate our reports, ensuring a smooth, delay-free approval process for your building projects.
Water Jetting Association (WJA) Trained
What it is: Formal, rigorous training provided by the UK's leading body for safe and professional high-pressure water jetting.
Why it matters: High-pressure water jetting is incredibly powerful and, if used incorrectly, can cause severe injury or catastrophic damage to your pipework. Untrained operators frequently blow apart old clay pipes by using incorrect pressures or nozzles.
In practice: Our engineers know exactly how to calibrate their equipment for different pipe materials and blockage types, clearing the issue safely without damaging your property's infrastructure.
Confined Spaces Entry & Rescue Trained
What it is: Specialist training and certification required to safely enter, work in, and perform rescues from confined spaces like deep manholes, sewers, and tanks.
Why it matters: This is a strict legal requirement under UK health and safety law. Sewers can contain toxic gases, low oxygen levels, and pose severe physical risks. Many smaller companies skip this expensive training, putting themselves and your liability at risk.
In practice: We carry the correct gas monitors, winches, breathing apparatus, and rescue plans. We will never compromise on safety or put you in a position of legal liability.
First Aid Trained
All our operatives are fully first aid certified. Drainage work involves heavy machinery, high pressures, and hazardous environments. Having trained first aiders on every site ensures the immediate safety of both our team and your property.
Fully Insured & SafeContractor
We carry comprehensive public liability insurance, protecting your home or business against any unforeseen circumstances. Furthermore, our SafeContractor approval demonstrates our ongoing commitment to rigorous health and safety compliance.
What to watch out for
When hiring any drainage company, always ask these questions to protect yourself from rogue traders and unqualified operators:
- 1"Are your reports WRC compliant?"If they say no, or don't know what it means, their survey will likely be rejected by your water board or insurer.
- 2"Are you Confined Spaces trained?"If they intend to enter a manhole deeper than 1 metre without this certification, they are breaking the law and operating unsafely.
- 3"Are you WJA trained?"Untrained use of high-pressure jetting equipment can destroy fragile pipework, turning a simple blockage into a £5,000 excavation job.