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 Clever Works, we believe in doing things right. We have invested heavily in 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 MSCC5 Coded Reporting
What it is: WRc publishes the Manual of Sewer Condition Classification (MSCC5), the UK coding system for describing drain and sewer defects, aligned with the European standard BS EN 13508-2. It is a coding standard for reports, not an approval scheme for contractors or software.
Why it matters: Water companies, insurers and mortgage lenders read CCTV survey reports written in this coding. If you need a survey for a mortgage application, an insurance claim or a build-over agreement, a report that is not coded to MSCC5 may be queried or rejected, which can mean paying for a second survey.
In practice: Every CCTV drainage survey report we produce is coded to WRc MSCC5 and BS EN 13508-2, with each defect, its position and its grade recorded to that standard.
Water Authority Submissions
What it is: Thames Water, Southern Water and the other local water authorities set out what a CCTV survey submitted with a build-over application must contain: MSCC5 coded observations, a drainage plan and the recorded footage.
Why it matters: When planning an extension or new build near public sewers, you must submit a survey to your local water authority, and they check it against those requirements before they agree to the build.
In practice: Our build-over surveys are coded to WRc MSCC5 and BS EN 13508-2 and delivered with the plan and footage in the form the water authority asks for.
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 coded to WRc MSCC5?"If they say no, or don't know what it means, your water company or insurer may query or reject the survey.
- 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.