London utility Thames Water’s newest sewer tools may be tiny, but they’re already making a big impact in the fight against wipes blocking narrow pipes.
Thames Water first introduced its innovative “hedgehog style” tool last year. Building on that success, a smaller version has now been adopted specifically to navigate tighter sections of pipe and help prevent sewer flooding in customers’ homes.
The baby hedgehog tool measures only 10 cm in length, compared with its parent tool at 15 cm. The compact design allows it to travel through smaller pipes, clearing wipes and debris before they build up into more serious blockages. Thames Water says removing these early‑stage obstructions helps prevent sewage backing up into homes, reduces pressure on the wider network and protects vital infrastructure from avoidable damage.
With over 20,000 sewer monitors now installed across London and the Thames Valley, the utility can pinpoint hotspots and target problem areas more effectively.
“Even the smallest tools can make a huge difference to our network,” says Alex Dudfield, Thames Water pollution improvement manager. “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.”
Wet wipes remain a major cause of sewer blockages, contributing to property damage and road flooding. This year Thames Water has already cleared over 18,000 blockages — over 200 every single day.