0:00:03 > 0:00:08Getting clean water can be a dirty business...
0:00:08 > 0:00:09What not to flush, eh!
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Mmm.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17..for the people who run one of Britain's biggest water companies.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Oh, look, she's going over there! Aah!
0:00:19 > 0:00:21They cover over 5,000 square miles...
0:00:23 > 0:00:24..and three million homes.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27I'll just open t'gate for you.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31We follow them through one of the hottest summers on record...
0:00:31 > 0:00:33'I've calmed down and I've counted to ten.'
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Although the sun's shining, unfortunately,
0:00:36 > 0:00:38we've still got shit flooding everywhere.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Are we pulling it this way, or are we going that way with it?
0:00:40 > 0:00:44But keeping the networks flowing depends on teamwork.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Want your helmet, sweet-cheeks?
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Cheers, love. Yeah, that's it. You work the magic, son.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Yeah, we just saw each other and just fell in love!
0:00:52 > 0:00:56You don't have to do paper, scissors and stones - he's straight in there.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Come on in. It's lovely.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59No smell's too strong...
0:00:59 > 0:01:00It's the smell, innit?
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I can't smell it, me.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04..or job too dirty...
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Someone's shat a helmet!
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Probably been in every dirty hole that you can think of.
0:01:08 > 0:01:09He's living the dream.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11..for the water men.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Looks like we're going to get wet.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- See you in t'morning, Wes. - Yeah, see you in t'morning, mate.
0:01:18 > 0:01:19Just another day in the office!
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Lennox Gate Pumping Station in Blackpool.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Watch yourself.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39For over 100 years, it's been carrying waste from low-level
0:01:39 > 0:01:41housing to the main sewers.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45This station takes, like, a lot of Blackpool sewage.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50If this goes wrong, say any assets end up failing,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53it will end up flooding further back and flooding properties
0:01:53 > 0:01:56and land, so we need to be on it.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Beautiful. Like a new one.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01In charge of maintenance, Chris and Mark.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04This is just a part-time job, what we do.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06In our real life, we're actually fighter pilots.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Shite-r pilots. That's us.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Today, they need to fit a new pump essential to keeping
0:02:12 > 0:02:14the works flowing.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Look at that, that's beautiful, isn't it?
0:02:18 > 0:02:21You think, "I don't really want to put it in the sewage," you know,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23because it's nice and shiny.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- Do you want to go forward a bit? - Yeah.- That'll do. Keep it there.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31The old one has been destroyed by sewage debris.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Go on. Keep going.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37That's just, that's just on the chains, wrapped round the rags.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42A certain amount of rags - the pumps can't handle them.
0:02:42 > 0:02:43You ready, mate?
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Obviously, it causes the pumps to block.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Blows a fuse in the pump and, eh, can cause some big problems really.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52I tell you, it's just people flushing all sorts - towels.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- There's been towels, hasn't there? Towels.- Towels, jackets.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Every day you get a prize, don't you, something different.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Pair of underpants. Armanis.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Skidded in them at the weekend and that and thought,
0:03:03 > 0:03:05"I tell you what, give these lads a job.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07"We'll flush 'em down 'toilet."
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Give us a hand, mate.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Well done, mate. Pass it all down.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Pull it out of way, mate.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22You need two men most of 'time,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25so I say the preference is someone else,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27but Mark was the only one here.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31We came across the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33They do exist.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35So we're here with him.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38So we could change that wearing, couldn't we?
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Let's just get it in.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44It's quite an unpleasant job sometimes, innit?
0:03:44 > 0:03:46You know, you get a bit mucky and dirty,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49so you've got to have a bit of a laugh at work.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Chris and I have been together, like teamed up, for about a year now.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59He's saying, "Chris", "Chris and I". He never usually calls me Chris.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Usually "Knobhead" or summat like that, you know what I mean?
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- That's it.- Didn't know you were on about me, mate.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Just trying to be nice, that's all. Just being polite for once.
0:04:11 > 0:04:12Beautiful. Beautiful.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15You have to trust the people you work with, like,
0:04:15 > 0:04:20you know what I mean? So ... knows why I do it with him!
0:04:38 > 0:04:40So we're going to have to look after this fat now.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- Ah, we're going to have to. It's a problem, int' it, but...- Yeah.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48At Davyhulme Wastewater Works in Manchester, process controllers
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Scott and Wayne have a serious fat problem to deal with.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54If you can think of an iceberg, that's what it is.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- And it's the length of this channel. - A fatberg!- Yeah, a fatberg.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01That's down to industries - like chippies, your chip pans,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04your waste - just throwing it down the sewer.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07This channel runs down between the screening houses
0:05:07 > 0:05:09and the primary treatment tanks.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12It's constricting the flow into this part of the works.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15We need to get that cleaned out ASAP.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17We're going to have to have a think now about how we can get
0:05:17 > 0:05:20the fat out and at the same time deal with the odour that will
0:05:20 > 0:05:23come with the fat, so it's a bit of a balancing act, if I'm honest.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29Nice(!)
0:05:29 > 0:05:32That's what the problem is, there.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35They've called on a team of DISAB operators to see
0:05:35 > 0:05:38if they can remove the fat without removing the covers.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42Oh-ho-ho! It might be deeper than we thought.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46In this channel here, we've got what we expect to
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- be about 100 tonne of fat. It's in...- Yeah?!- Yeah!
0:05:49 > 0:05:52It's in different depths, so I'm just wondering how you
0:05:52 > 0:05:55think the best way to take this fat from this channel is.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57You going through these holes 'ere?
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Yeah, we've got to try these hatches rather than take the covers off.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03If we can start them off from there, start sucking from there,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- we'll get some high water pressure on it, yeah?- Yeah.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- And see what happens. Take it away. - Brilliant.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Because she'll take it, like, she'll take it.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- Do you know what I mean?- Yeah.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18This is basically a massive vacuum cleaner,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20and it'll just suck the fat off the top of the tank.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27We don't actually know how well this'll work.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29We've not had a go at it before.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31It's never been done on this level, this amount of fat.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37A high-pressured jet helps break the fat down.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Obviously no-one can smell the smell we're smelling now,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43but it's quite strong, isn't it?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Yeah, you've got the fat, what's broke on there,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47what's been sat there.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Once we've started breaking it up, extracting it,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51that's when it started giving off the fumes, the gases,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54basically, and that's what you can smell at the moment.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55- This is the set-up you'd like to see.- Yeah.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Like this young man over here. This man's expecting trouble, I think.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01He knows something we don't know.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10It does look a lot deeper than we thought it would be,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13to be honest, but we'll have to just keep chipping away,
0:07:13 > 0:07:14chipping away, chipping away.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Here's a shot of prehistoric man fishing for food.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Scott and Wayne have a history that goes back 20 years.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28I started off as an operator, same as Scott.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Went to college at the same time, didn't we?- Yeah.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33It was quite funny, cos everyone was like at different companies,
0:07:33 > 0:07:37saying, "I'm doing an NVQ in Maths," or something like that.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41And we were doing a B.Tech in wastewater!
0:07:44 > 0:07:47How much tonne will that hold? 20 tonne?
0:07:48 > 0:07:49Ten?
0:07:51 > 0:07:53The DISAB's full. Now they need to empty it.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58The cost involved with taking the fat out of the tank is £10,000,
0:07:58 > 0:08:04but it would then cost an extra £90,000 to remove the fat off-site
0:08:04 > 0:08:09and have the fat disposed of by the correct means you're supposed to.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16But Mike Scott runs an energy company that will take it
0:08:16 > 0:08:17away for free.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20We've developed this process to convert fat,
0:08:20 > 0:08:25oils and grease from effluent treatment facilities into biodiesel.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27I think we're probably the first in the business to take this
0:08:27 > 0:08:30type of material and turn it into a high value fuel.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Well, we're suspecting that it's 70% fat on the back of that DISAB,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36and about 30% water.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38We would need a volume of water, otherwise the fat would just
0:08:38 > 0:08:40solidify in there, we wouldn't move it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44And we're actually blowing it from our DISAB to the energy
0:08:44 > 0:08:46country's vac tank unit.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51Once we're happy that it's been decanted, yeah, what we need to
0:08:51 > 0:08:55do is, obviously, you need to be in contact with us immediately.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Then we'll come and arrange to get it collected.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01If I loaded that tanker in a day, yeah, let it settle overnight,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04decant in the morning, job should be good, shouldn't it?
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Yeah. That's right, because the fat off-loads straightaway.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Yeah. Happy with that, yeah.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Well, it is exciting because instead of taking the material
0:09:13 > 0:09:16and putting it into landfill, then you've got a real valued use
0:09:16 > 0:09:20for it at the end of it that could be used to run their own fleet.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Tea-time!
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Hello, Mrs Lee, this is Rachel at United Utilities' wastewater team.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34We're running slightly behind schedule.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35We haven't forgotten about you,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38and we will be with you as soon as possible. Is that all right?
0:09:38 > 0:09:40I've just seen that you've just finished on that job.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Have you given Rach your tracker details at all?
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- 'No, no.'- No, right.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Gem, I've got another job for Barry Taylor.
0:09:49 > 0:09:50No, I understand completely.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53I mean, how bad is the severity of the leak coming out there?
0:09:53 > 0:09:54Are the problems internal then?
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Have they had problems with their toilets and things?
0:09:57 > 0:09:58'The drains are smelling.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01'So it turns out that it's four manholes that are full of water.'
0:10:01 > 0:10:02Right, OK.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04It's only if we can get to it,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06because there's quite a lot of jobs in the area, you see, so...
0:10:06 > 0:10:07Thank you, bye-bye.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10At the moment, we're busy with wastewater,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12so it's really... Everything is all go.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Although the sun's shining, unfortunately,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17we've still got shit flooding everywhere.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Not very good, is it?
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- Yeah, fuelled-up. Ready to rock'n'roll, Turry?- "Turry".
0:10:30 > 0:10:34Reacting to calls are wastewater teams like Andy and Terry.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37# Everything... # Mate, could you do that job?
0:10:37 > 0:10:41No. That'd be so boring. On t'motorway all day.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44They've been working together for two years.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47# No, I can't have you
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- BOTH:- # I don't want nobody, baby.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- # Well, I can't have you BOTH:- # Oh-oh-oh!
0:10:53 > 0:10:54# Yeah. #
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Yeah, we just saw each other and we just fell in love, didn't we?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00THEY LAUGH
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- Want your helmet, sweet-cheeks? - Cheers, love.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05He's like one of my good mates,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09so always a bonus when you work with one of your good mates, isn't it?
0:11:09 > 0:11:10C'mon, let's go.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Today, they've been called to a collapsed pipe in Blackpool.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18See what Terry likes to do?
0:11:18 > 0:11:21He likes to trap himself inside the tiniest gaps,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24so you can't even get into it.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Let's have a look down here. I think it might be blocked, bruv.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Oh, you can smell that a la de urine...
0:11:33 > 0:11:34I think we work together well.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- Work it, baby.- Yeah. That's it. You work your magic, son.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40We keep the same rate, we're the same pace.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41He knows where everything is on the wagon,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- I know where everything is and.... - We just click, once we're on site.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Yeah, that's it. - Boom-shak - in one!
0:11:51 > 0:11:53I think we found a dead dog!
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Do you think they use baby wipes(?)
0:11:59 > 0:12:04There's got to be half a tonne of baby wipes there. Watch out!
0:12:04 > 0:12:07The best bit is coming into work or waiting for a Thursday
0:12:07 > 0:12:08and the new rota comes out.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10And then you see it, like, you realise,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12"Oh, yeah, I've got Terry all week."
0:12:12 > 0:12:15One second, I'll close this and make it safe.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18And that's the best bit about it because you know you're
0:12:18 > 0:12:21with each other and you're, like, you're prepping yourself.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Yes! Get the CDs ready, get the van ready,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- because I'm with Terry. - Because he's my baby-cakes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Don't be like that, mate. People will see this on telly.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31This is for personal.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32Vertically challenged.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Now, after two years as a waterman,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Andy's decided it's time for a change.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Right, shall we just tidy some of this hose up?
0:12:41 > 0:12:45Yeah. I'd rather he stayed, so I could work with him, but...
0:12:45 > 0:12:47It is what it is. It's like a piece of pie.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50If you like it, try and keep hold of it and get that same pie,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53but when t'pie changes, you don't want to get rid of it.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54It's a crap flavour.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56HE LAUGHS
0:12:56 > 0:12:57Skip!
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Asset manager Joe Jazmik
0:13:12 > 0:13:15has worked at the company for over 42 years
0:13:15 > 0:13:19and has been involved in many of its most ambitious projects.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24Most recently, my highlight's been the Haweswater Aqueduct outage,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27which was in the planning for many, many years.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30I remember starting it off probably 12 or 13 years ago,
0:13:30 > 0:13:34and it's been a challenge and, to be honest, a successful one.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39He's responsible for maintaining pipe work carrying water
0:13:39 > 0:13:41to 80% of the company's customers.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46This is one of my jobs. We're at Rivington Aqueduct,
0:13:46 > 0:13:50and we're doing a cleaning programme from Monterey down into Prescot.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54We've got over 46,000 kilometres of pipes in the company,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57so what happens? Materials build up over time
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and that discharges into our customers' taps.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03And what we're trying to do is reduce that event frequency.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05So when's pig going in?
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Well, they're here now.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09As soon as they come back to give us the go-ahead
0:14:09 > 0:14:11because they've got to put some sensor in front of it.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14We're cleaning it using the piggy method, which is
0:14:14 > 0:14:18inserting a big swab, in other words, into the main
0:14:18 > 0:14:22and using the force of the water to push it through the pipe
0:14:22 > 0:14:26and it discharges the discoloured water over at Prescot.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30And we'll do that up to six times, and hopefully by the end
0:14:30 > 0:14:33of that time we'll have nice clean water coming out at the other end.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35It's smaller than the pipe, isn't it, just?
0:14:35 > 0:14:36So, it's like a proving pig.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Well, here are the pigs, as we call them.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43They're actually a polyurethane coating.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45As you can see, quite a tough coating.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48And this gets flushed down and pushed into the pipe
0:14:48 > 0:14:50and the pressure then takes the pig along,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53pulls all the material off the sides and then,
0:14:53 > 0:14:56as it flushes out with the water, it comes out at the other end.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58They said when it comes out at other end,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01it don't come out with extreme pressure, it'll just...
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- Plop out.- Plop.- Yeah. - And then a rush of air.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05My background is engineering,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08and I've always liked getting my hands dirty.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09I enjoy big pipes.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12You know, when you get to see a pipe like that one in there,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14I don't know, it gets those juices flowing, doesn't it?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16It gets that interest going as well.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Take it up a little bit.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Which is great. You know, it's the best job ever.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27But this is one job Joe won't see through to the end.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30I won't see any of the cleaning physically finish
0:15:30 > 0:15:33because I'll be retiring in a few months' time.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36It's a big step.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38It's something that I will, I will miss,
0:15:38 > 0:15:42but a lot of the projects, the meaty projects, are coming to an end,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45so I thought, well, it's a good time to go.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59At Heaton Park Reservoir, water business analyst Andy
0:15:59 > 0:16:01is overseeing his first big job.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06It's like a nice little Christmas present, this, because it was
0:16:06 > 0:16:09ordered, we actually placed the order for it just before Christmas.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11It's a bit late.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13You know, when you get Christmas presents, you normally
0:16:13 > 0:16:16want them on Christmas Day, but I'll make do with getting it now.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19He's here to see the installation of a new reservoir mixer.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22It's been shipped from Australia to solve an algae problem.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Do you know what? It is actually quite exciting to see it.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I'm actually... That's why I've got this big smile on my face.
0:16:28 > 0:16:29And I can't wipe the smile off.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Riddled with algae, the reservoir
0:16:34 > 0:16:38and nearby treatment works have been out of action for two years.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40One of the problems with algae is that it gives off taste
0:16:40 > 0:16:42and odour compounds and it smells.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45And there was so much algae in this reservoir, it stunk.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47I mean, really reeked. Ugh!
0:16:47 > 0:16:51I had to walk away at one point because it smelt so bad.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57Algae sits at the top of the water, needing oxygen and light to survive.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- Am I allowed to go up and touch it? - Yeah, sure.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02I know it sounds a bit weird, but it's one of those things.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06When you get something new, you just want to go and have a little touch.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09The reservoir mixer works by moving the oxygen-rich water
0:17:09 > 0:17:12at the surface down towards the bottom...
0:17:13 > 0:17:17..meaning that conditions for algae are not suitable.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18Good.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21The mixer itself, basically, the way I describe it to someone
0:17:21 > 0:17:24is it literally is a way of just putting your hand
0:17:24 > 0:17:26in the reservoir and just stirring it up.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28And it is only very slow moving, it's not a fast moving thing.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32It's not going to whizz it up. It's not a blender.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Costing half a million pounds, it's the first time a reservoir
0:17:35 > 0:17:39mixer has ever been used in the UK to treat algae.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Personally, for me, this project is great because I've only been
0:17:42 > 0:17:47in my role now about three years and before that I worked in finance,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51I worked behind a desk in accounts, you know, crunching the numbers.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53And now, here I am out on site,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56having one of my first major capital projects that I've
0:17:56 > 0:17:58kind of seen right from the start being delivered.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Think I get a bit over-excited about this cos it's like my first
0:18:01 > 0:18:04and it's only a little one but it's like, it's like my baby.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10A helicopter will lift the mixer into the reservoir.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14We'll position it down here. The lorry will then back away.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17And then the helicopter will come and land in that space over there.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20I need to see if I can get a lift in the helicopter.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21That's what I was trying to say -
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- "Is it going to come back and land again?"- Certainly not.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27If you need somebody to go up, I'll take one for the team, you know?
0:18:29 > 0:18:32The helicopter's now come in and landed.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34They're going to hook up the resmix to it.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Once it's hooked up, it will then lift it over this embankment
0:18:36 > 0:18:38to around the middle of the reservoir here.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40It will be anchored into place.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44This is the exciting bit now.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53I think he might've forgotten the unit. Ha-ha! Over here!
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Oh, he's coming back. Oh, he's coming back round.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09That's brilliant to see. At least he's remembered it this time.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12I got a sudden panic then that he'd forgotten it, or they'd had
0:19:12 > 0:19:16to cancel and call it off - "Oh, no, we'll do it another day."
0:19:16 > 0:19:19With the mixer in place, divers hook it up ready to be switched on.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23He is coming back! I could have had a go in it.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Andy will be back in four weeks to see if it's working.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Could have lost a bit of weight, couldn't he? To be honest.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Letting the side down, really. LAUGHTER
0:19:47 > 0:19:49His, his bum does look slightly big in it.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53At the pumping station...
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Frogs holding on for dear life. Frogs!
0:19:56 > 0:20:00..one of the screens protecting the pumps needs cleaning.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Main comes in, sewer comes in
0:20:04 > 0:20:08and, erm, these screens catch quite a lot of the rags
0:20:08 > 0:20:12but, obviously, stuff still comes through.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16If we don't clean it off, it just ends up backing up this side
0:20:16 > 0:20:18and the station'll think there's nothing in
0:20:18 > 0:20:21but it'll be full this side, if you know what I mean.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Chris, do you want to get in, mate?
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- Right, are we ready?- Yeah. - Right.- Watch yourself.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Chris will have to go right down into the sewage tank
0:20:31 > 0:20:33to clean it by hand.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Beautiful, beautiful.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42When I first started, it got a smell and you thought, "What am I doing?"
0:20:42 > 0:20:45The next thing, your guts are up the wall for about a week.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50Then, you're right. Now, you don't even think it's shit.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54We don't have to do paper, scissors and stones.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- He's straight in there. - Come on in, it's lovely(!)
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Like I said, he's like a pig in shit, is Chris.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Do you want to lower a bucket down? - Right, hold on.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Thanks, mate.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Chris's got what they call turtle-skin gloves on.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13What not to flush, eh?
0:21:15 > 0:21:16You're blind, basically.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19You don't know what you're going to put your hands into.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23Could be all sorts.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25It's stuff like this.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29If there's any needles or anything, it doesn't go through.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34He's living the dream. Someone's got to do it...
0:21:34 > 0:21:35Someone's shat a helmet.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39You have your tetanus, all your jabs and that, you know, for this job.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40Will you take that up, mate?
0:21:40 > 0:21:43You're bound to build up a good immune system
0:21:43 > 0:21:46because we are coming into contact with a lot of waste.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54This is, like, what we're up against day to day - sanitary towels,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57baby wipes. They're not disposable, you know.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00And this is what's causing us huge problems.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04I can't remember this at the recruitment centre. Ha-ha!
0:22:04 > 0:22:07I'll get him up now, I think he's had enough.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Yeah, spot on. Spot on.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21As spot on as it can be, like. You know what I mean?
0:22:23 > 0:22:25It's like trout fishing.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Brown trout, obviously, but, eh, yeah.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33You have t'be crackers, don't you? You know what I mean?
0:22:33 > 0:22:34To do this.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44It does look a bit like one of those James Bond torpedoes
0:22:44 > 0:22:48from maybe Thunderball or something like that, you know, I'm kind
0:22:48 > 0:22:51of expecting some sort of gun to come out or anything like that, no?
0:22:51 > 0:22:55No guns? No, OK. Never mind.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59It's been four weeks, and Andy's back with an EcoMapper to see
0:22:59 > 0:23:02if the reservoir mixer is working.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04Hopefully it will swim round and it will be telling us
0:23:04 > 0:23:07the live data coming from the reservoir about the various
0:23:07 > 0:23:10different water quality parameters that we're looking for.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13In particular, we obviously want to know where the algae is
0:23:13 > 0:23:15because the algae's been the issue.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Hopefully, it will tell us where the pockets are
0:23:17 > 0:23:18and that it's dying off.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- Do you want to take a look at this, Andy?- Yeah.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23This is the remote desktop into the actual EcoMapper.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26It has a compass heading here to show you which direction you're in.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- Right.- And this is how you actually drive it.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30So you don't get like a PS3 controller or an Xbox
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- controller that you can... - Unfortunately, no! Ha-ha. I wish!
0:23:33 > 0:23:34..push a button on it?
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Hopefully, if you go forwards and backwards,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- you'll see down there that the motor is actually moving.- Oh, yeah.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Yeah, remote-controlled cars when you're young is one thing
0:23:43 > 0:23:46but getting to have a go at remotely-controlling a torpedo
0:23:46 > 0:23:49is something I've never had the opportunity to have and probably
0:23:49 > 0:23:52won't get a chance to do again, so jump at it while I can, really.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Eco-survey operators Lisa and Neil
0:23:55 > 0:23:58will send the EcoMapper on a programmed course.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02It'll gather a continuous stream of data from its ten water
0:24:02 > 0:24:03quality sensors.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09What I'm quite pleased about already is that the reservoir
0:24:09 > 0:24:10is already looking clearer.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14When I was last here it still had a little bit of a greenish tint
0:24:14 > 0:24:16to it, so I'm really pleased, actually, now.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17It's a good sign so far.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25If you just click on that circle, you can move it forwards,
0:24:25 > 0:24:27backwards, left and right.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- You can see...- Oh, it's moving! - The EcoMapper starts to move off.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34It's quite quick, actually.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- When I hit go, like, put the speed up, it took off!- Yeah, yeah.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40And then I realised it was heading towards the embankment
0:24:40 > 0:24:42and I was like, "Stop!" THEY LAUGH
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I don't want to break a £200,000 unit,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47so I'm going to give it back to you now. I've had a quick go.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53It's found its first point, which is just here.
0:24:53 > 0:24:59And then it should head across in front of us and back up that way.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06It's just dived now, yeah. I can see it going down.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10If we did a standard sampling on the reservoir,
0:25:10 > 0:25:14you'd get a spot location - what the water's like at that point.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17What we want to know is what's the water's like throughout
0:25:17 > 0:25:19the whole of the reservoir
0:25:19 > 0:25:22because, putting the resmix in, the aim of the project was to
0:25:22 > 0:25:25ensure consistent water quality throughout the whole of the res.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Hopefully, this will give us that, the overall image.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30When the water was analysed,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33the algae had decreased by almost 99%.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Since starting at the company,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45there is one person's advice that Andy has always sought.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- I'll really miss you. - For at least 20 minutes!
0:25:49 > 0:25:53I've actually learnt so much from just sitting here and asking him
0:25:53 > 0:25:56constant questions every time something comes up on my e-mail.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57It's literally like having...
0:25:57 > 0:26:01I call him the Google of Asset Management, so just ask Joe.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05But now Joe's last day at the company is almost here.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08I'm going to miss him. I'll definitely be on the phone to you.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- I know that now.- That's all right. I'll answer it.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13I can't, you know, I can't help it sometimes.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15You need that quick question, sorry,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19that quick answer that you just seem to have off the top of your head.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21It's going to take me time to get that kind of knowledge.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24And all of us, it'll take time to get that kind of knowledge.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27That knowledge is here. The trouble is just getting to it.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29And people take a short cut by asking me.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32It won't be the same not having you there, though.
0:26:32 > 0:26:33We'll definitely miss you.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35You've been here ever since I've come to this team
0:26:35 > 0:26:39- and you've been the most helpful, friendly...- I've been here for ever.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42But you're definitely, definitely irreplaceable.
0:26:42 > 0:26:43Thank you, Andrew.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Nobody's indispensible. Nobody is, you know. Drop dead tomorrow.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51What would happen? This is... Water'd still come out the taps.
0:26:51 > 0:26:52You'll keep yourself busy, I'm sure.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Mark's just buying a house up in Edgerton, so I'm going to end
0:26:56 > 0:26:59up doing a lot of work on that, decorating and stuff like that.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- You going to be a DIY man? - I enjoy my DIY.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Yeah. Joe the Handyman.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Andy's not the only one who'll miss Joe.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10It's going to be a big wrench, I think,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13for us all at the end of the day. I mean, Joe's been, you know,
0:27:13 > 0:27:17a wingman through my current role every minute of the day,
0:27:17 > 0:27:19you know, he's so reliable.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21I can pick the phone up. He's no trouble.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24I know things are being sorted, so that's going to be a big change
0:27:24 > 0:27:29for me but I think the biggest change will be for Joe himself.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm definitely going, you know.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36I've got to, really. Job application closes tomorrow
0:27:36 > 0:27:39for my replacement, so, eh, yeah,
0:27:39 > 0:27:44I don't think there's any turning back after that, I think!
0:27:44 > 0:27:46But, I wouldn't anyway.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49No, I'm, I'm beginning to look forward to it, in a funny
0:27:49 > 0:27:55sort of way, to be honest, but eh, erm, I'll have other things to do.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Won't take long now.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Yeah. Won't take long now!
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Only got another eight hours of daylight.
0:28:07 > 0:28:08HE CHUCKLES
0:28:08 > 0:28:10It's been a week since Wayne
0:28:10 > 0:28:13and Scott first began tackling the fatberg.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Fatbergs that are in here now are like bigger than
0:28:19 > 0:28:20we could have envisaged.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Unfortunately, now we've gone as far as we can go with the hatches.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26What we're hoping to do is take two covers off.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32Are we pulling it this way, or are we going that way with it?
0:28:32 > 0:28:34- I'd pull it that way.- That's it.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I can't believe it. How far does it go? Yeah, that's it.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48All right there.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55It's wall-to-wall, and it's as far as the eye can see.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59I could imagine you could actually walk across there,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02cos it's that thick and that deep, that fat.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06It's just congealed as one massive big mass across.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09And if it looks like this here, and it's not moving anywhere,
0:29:09 > 0:29:13this fat must be all the way to the end of this channel, which is
0:29:13 > 0:29:1650 to 80m long.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18You can't even see a flow down here now.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20That's how bad this is.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Now, the real scale of the problem is hitting home.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26At the moment, we're looking at chunks of about two foot deep,
0:29:26 > 0:29:30like, you know, so... Once we broke the key out of it and we get
0:29:30 > 0:29:35it moving, we should be able to get it going down one end and get at it.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38It gets worse than this.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41I mean, I've been down some of the dirtiest holes you could ever
0:29:41 > 0:29:44think, from Penrith down to Stoke, you know what I mean?
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Probably been down every dirty hole you can think of,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50that you can throw at us, like, you know?
0:29:50 > 0:29:51- With this?- Yeah.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Get it dancing, get it moving, like.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59It's like a nice, steady, easy job, to be honest with you.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03But I love me job. By rights, I shouldn't.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07There's no natural reason why I should like playing in crap
0:30:07 > 0:30:09all day, but I do, I love it.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11Break that key up.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Put it this way - if we didn't have our partners now, I think
0:30:14 > 0:30:17it would be hard work getting girlfriends doing this job.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20So, were you already working here when you met your Mrs, Scott?
0:30:20 > 0:30:22- Yeah, yeah.- Did you tell her straight off you were working here?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Well, I told her I was an engineer, cos of a fashion I am!
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Or a technician!
0:30:27 > 0:30:30She didn't realise it was a turd technician though.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32He's full.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39The stuff we do to earn a living.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Disconnection team Caroline and Ian
0:30:42 > 0:30:46are on their way to cut the water supply at a fried chicken shop.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49The last time they paid any money was May 2008,
0:30:49 > 0:30:53so there's been phone calls in the past, erm, the standard bills,
0:30:53 > 0:30:57reminders, erm, letters to advise that we're going to disconnect.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02They've not responded to anything. They owe just over £5,300,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05which is quite a bit of money for a small premises.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Hello?
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- Hiya.- Is your manager about, please? - The manager or the owner?
0:31:12 > 0:31:13No.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17Right. We're here to cut the supply of water off.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19- He's coming now. - He's coming now, is he?
0:31:19 > 0:31:21OK, thank you.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23We always hope there won't be any trouble
0:31:23 > 0:31:26and that they'll work with us, um, but you never, you never know.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28- Sorry, what's his name?- Al.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Hello, is that Al? We're here to disconnect the water supply.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36How long have you been at the property for?
0:31:36 > 0:31:38OK, so you're a new leaseholder.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41What's the reason you've not let United Utilities know that
0:31:41 > 0:31:44you've taken over the water?
0:31:44 > 0:31:46So, where we're at at the moment, sir,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49is we're going to have to start disconnecting the property.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Anything that you've got that's legal documentation to show
0:31:52 > 0:31:54that you've taken it over in the past few weeks,
0:31:54 > 0:31:58if you can get those documents to me then we can stop or undo
0:31:58 > 0:32:01the disconnection, but I need those documents.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04That's fine. Right, yeah.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Thank you. Bye.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Because the water's off, yeah, you're not allowed to trade.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11We'll have to let Environmental Health know.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15Yeah, if you can just shut the shop and then we'll start disconnecting.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17As the team disconnect the water supply,
0:32:17 > 0:32:20the camera crew are asked to leave the premises.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24One of the guys has made us aware that once this disconnection's done,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26just to let you know we're going to open again.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29The concern is there that they are handling chicken, and it's
0:32:29 > 0:32:33exceptionally dangerous, so as ever we'll let Environmental Health know,
0:32:33 > 0:32:39and let them know that they've opened up and started trading again.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- So...- To be honest, that's probably in keeping
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- because there's no hygiene sticker on the wall.- No.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48We've not got enforcement authority to shut them down per se.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53That would be Environmental Health, so it'll be over to them
0:32:53 > 0:32:56to just update them on what's happened and what we've advised
0:32:56 > 0:33:00and what we've observed. There's people in there now ordering food.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02It's disgusting.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Eventually, the leaseholder paid a recalculated bill
0:33:06 > 0:33:09based on his time at the property.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11It was £627.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21Hello? Hello? Hello, can you hear me?
0:33:21 > 0:33:25- 'The main blockage...'- Yeah. - 'I've got a rat infestation.'
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Right, OK. Oh, dear.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30'And what it is, we had no water yesterday.'
0:33:30 > 0:33:32- Yeah, yeah. - What's your name, please?
0:33:32 > 0:33:33'Shush, I'm on the phone, kids.'
0:33:33 > 0:33:36I've got one in Stockport and then I've got a few in Manchester,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39so we'll try and keep you round the same area, all right?
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Rachel's been distributing jobs to the teams
0:33:42 > 0:33:44out in the field for over eight years.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46All right, cheers, babe, bye.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49But today she's going out on a job.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Today, I'm going to go out with the boys.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55I'm going to go over in a bit to meet Adam and Mick Barton,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58and I'm going to go do a day in the life of them.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Yeah, she's lucky to be with two very fine men like me
0:34:02 > 0:34:03and Adam today.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08It's development really, for ourselves.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10I think it's important you go out
0:34:10 > 0:34:14and see what they do in the field, so you know what you're on about.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16I've spoken to Rachael for years on the phone.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19When I've gone, "Rachael, I've got this - I'm going to be ages."
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- HE MIMICS:- "No problem, love." Love it.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27Right, see you all later. I want nice jobs, Ton, nice jobs.
0:34:27 > 0:34:28Nice jobs.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32- No matter what time you call her, she's always in a good mood. - She's always friendly.
0:34:32 > 0:34:33Yeah, she's always helpful.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36No, I'm all right. I'm quite excited, to be honest with you.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39I've even put on me mascara, which I don't think I should've done,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42because if, if I'm 'eughing', I'm going to be all panda eyes.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44That isn't going to look very good, is it?
0:34:44 > 0:34:46Jesus. I'll be all right. I'll be all right.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48I'm all for it.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50I can't wait to be sandwiched with the boys.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52SHE LAUGHS
0:34:52 > 0:34:53- You all right?- Hiya. You all right?
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Yeah, not too bad. Am I going in the middle?
0:34:56 > 0:34:57- Eh, erm...- Or on the end?
0:34:57 > 0:35:00I think you'll go on the end. There you go.
0:35:01 > 0:35:02Oh, this is cosy, innit?
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Oh, what you doing? Stay in your lane.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- C'mon. No, no, no. - Oh, she's going over there!
0:35:16 > 0:35:17Oh! Oh, my God!
0:35:17 > 0:35:19And she nearly had a crash.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25The team are called to a job in Manchester's Newton Heath.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29So, we're at the job. We've got a blockage.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31We've got some flooding in the rear garden.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Mick's just doing a risk assessment,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36just to make sure it's safe - obviously.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39Adam's just gone to have a little look to see whether it is
0:35:39 > 0:35:41flooding and then we'll go and have a little look, I presume.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43We're going to go out to play.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44This is going to be messy. Ho ho!
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Oh, God!
0:35:48 > 0:35:49Is it bad? Oh...
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I wish they'd never called for me now, to be honest with you.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Ha! Now I'm here.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58It's not the - ugh...
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Ugh, it's the smell, innit?
0:36:04 > 0:36:07It's the smell! It's the smell.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Don't know - like dried fat, off fat, I don't know.
0:36:16 > 0:36:17It's not good though.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19There's a manhole next door but, unfortunately,
0:36:19 > 0:36:22as the customer's not in next door and we've haven't got permission
0:36:22 > 0:36:26to access the property, there's not much we can do other than try
0:36:26 > 0:36:30and clear it from here, which would make a lot more mess, if we can't.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34So we'll do as best as we can by them to try and get it sorted.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37You expect something dead easy and obviously, erm,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41we can't do what we need to be doing because we can't gain access.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43So we're going to play it by ear.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46I think it's going to be a bit of a tricky job, to be honest with you.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49That smell is not good.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I think it's going to get worse, you know, as they're jetting it.
0:36:52 > 0:36:53Really bad.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Important day.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09We're looking for an assessment of the candidates that are going
0:37:09 > 0:37:12to replace Joe, which is an absolutely impossible task.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- It's... - Oh, I wouldn't say that at all.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18There are many, many good candidates.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21We're, we're quite a small little team of anoraks really that
0:37:21 > 0:37:23love our pipes.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26Now, so, I want to see a bit of passion out of somebody,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29that that's what they want.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30And it's our job to tease out
0:37:30 > 0:37:33whether they're actually pretending or it's actually in the blood.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36So the first thing we do is do a blood test to see
0:37:36 > 0:37:38if they've got aqueduct water in their veins.
0:37:38 > 0:37:39HE LAUGHS
0:37:39 > 0:37:41- If they haven't...- Is it true blue? - Yeah.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45I can't think of very many people that've actually
0:37:45 > 0:37:47interviewed for their own position.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51Erm, but, yeah, it is quite odd in a way.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53It's going to be a big ask
0:37:53 > 0:37:56and big shoes to fill for whoever is successful in it.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59- Daniel?- Yeah.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Good to see you. C'mon. We're through here.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- Cheers.- OK. Come on in.
0:38:03 > 0:38:04How you doing?
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Hiya, Joe. You OK?
0:38:09 > 0:38:13Five internal candidates are being interviewed for the role.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Good to see you again.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17One of them is Andy Bent.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Definitely feeling quite nervous.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22The Asset Manager is a role, a job I really want.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25It's something that I really want to do.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27It's not the first time I've gone for the role.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29I've been pipped at the post a couple of times.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32I formally welcome you to the interview process.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33Do come on through.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Eh, the thing is, all the candidates are great candidates, so it's
0:38:36 > 0:38:39very difficult when you're going up against friends and colleagues.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44I don't know what kind of character they are looking for to
0:38:44 > 0:38:47fit into the team, so it could be any of us.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Just fingers crossed it's me.
0:38:50 > 0:38:51Just one more to go, John.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53- OK. Last one?- Last one.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Right. I've got me notes? Yep.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I think John knows what he wants from that person.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02I know what I would like from that person
0:39:02 > 0:39:05and it's that commitment to the position.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09You've got to have that love, that passion for that particular type
0:39:09 > 0:39:14of job because it's... It ends up all-consuming, to be honest.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34So, Andrew Bent. I'll go and get Andy and bring him in then, yeah?
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Do I look good, do I?
0:39:37 > 0:39:39- You OK? We all set? - Yeah. All set.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41OK, let's go.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45Andrew.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48You all right? Nice to see you.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50- Andrew, right. Come on through. - Cheers.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Second door on the right.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54On the right?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- Hiya. Nice to see you.- To see you.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02That's the hot seat, Andrew, so if you want to sit in there.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Yeah, brilliant. Cheers.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07And we'll, eh, conduct the interview.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Do you want me to hold your hose, Mick?
0:40:14 > 0:40:16HE LAUGHS
0:40:17 > 0:40:19- Rachael?- Yeah, baby?
0:40:19 > 0:40:20- Could you do me a favour?- Yeah.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Could you stand on the corner there in a minute
0:40:22 > 0:40:25and then you can shout to Ruddy on-off, up-down.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Right. That's off.
0:40:28 > 0:40:29Yeah.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31Obviously, that's pressure up.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33- Yeah. Off, up. - Yeah, yeah. That's it.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Higher - lower. I got it. I'm on it.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37- That's good.- And this is we've cleared it, Rachael...
0:40:37 > 0:40:38Woo-hoo!
0:40:38 > 0:40:40SHE LAUGHS
0:40:40 > 0:40:42I can do that!
0:40:44 > 0:40:46- Right, turn water on, Rach.- Check.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Turn the water on!
0:40:56 > 0:40:57You smell that?
0:40:59 > 0:41:02So what happened then this morning? What was your problem?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Erm, it was yesterday. It flooded up yesterday.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06And this morning, when we woke up,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09it had come through all the drains and up the toilet and everything.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11And just near enough flooded the full bathroom.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13Yeah. God. You got a little 'un as well?
0:41:13 > 0:41:17- Yeah. Well, it's her little 'un. I'm just a baby-sitter. - Oh, God bless you!
0:41:17 > 0:41:18So what is it? Is it everybody...?
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Is it just more than one house that is causing this then?
0:41:21 > 0:41:24- Yeah. It's a build-up.- Oh.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Unfortunately, it's all been sat in a manhole and because you're...
0:41:27 > 0:41:31Right, so what I want this time, yeah, is at the end o' street we need a Portaloo.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Everybody can go and use that.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36So I don't have to wake up smelling this.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38- Argh.- Oh!
0:41:38 > 0:41:39SHE LAUGHS
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- Is it going?- Yeah, it's gone. We just need to clear it further down.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49It's just with the thickness, it's blocked up further downstream.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51We're going to be here for ages yet.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53I thought that. Eugh.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55SHE COUGHS
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Is it...? Is that really getting to you, Rach, yeah?
0:41:58 > 0:41:59I can't smell it, me.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02It's a tough job, eh?
0:42:02 > 0:42:03A real tough job.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07I'm normally tucked in me office just having a joke with them down the phone but...
0:42:07 > 0:42:09- You can see how hard she's worked, lads?- Eh?
0:42:09 > 0:42:11She's worked hard, hasn't she?
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Yeah - grafting.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15LAUGHTER
0:42:15 > 0:42:17It's your turn to clean mess up.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- I know! - You're having sweeping brush.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22I'm going to have to have the brush. I said that.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24After four hours out on the job,
0:42:24 > 0:42:27it's time for Rachael to return to the office.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Well, it has been a blast, young men, but I do have to go.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32- No, that's all right.- No problem. - Go back to my normal place now.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35I'm not even going to shake hands with either of you,
0:42:35 > 0:42:36not in me leather gloves.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38THEY LAUGH
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- I'll speak to you on the phone soon, Rachael.- All right, darling. Thanks very much for my day.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45- Yeah, thanks for coming out with us. - Thank you for gracing us with your presence.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48- You'd better believe it. - It's been a pleasure.- God love you.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Right, I'm going then. I'll see you soon.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52- All right. See you later. - Tara, lads.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55It's been a long day, a cold day.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Yeah, but I've enjoyed it. I've... We've had a good day.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00This job was hard.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04They say it was easy, but I think it was hard, really hard.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07The smell.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09I take my hat off to them... Ta-da!
0:43:09 > 0:43:12No, it was, em, yeah, good. I've enjoyed it.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15I've really enjoyed it.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17And I'll come out again soon if they'll have me.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32All right. Cheers, thanks a lot. Cheers. See you later.
0:43:32 > 0:43:34- Cheers, bye.- Bye.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37Yeah, it went OK. It was a bit... It's always one of those things,
0:43:37 > 0:43:40I was nervous at the start and you're conscious that you may
0:43:40 > 0:43:43be rambling a little bit, but then, eh, it went well.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46I think that was very interesting.
0:43:46 > 0:43:50It was a very good - very good spread of candidates in my view.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53I didn't want to let myself down and I don't think I have.
0:43:53 > 0:43:57I think I've done my best and that's all we can do in anything,
0:43:57 > 0:43:59in any situation, is just do our best.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01You can see on these scores there's two distinct groups.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04- Yeah. - But those that got it.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07And it's pretty obvious those that didn't get it.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10- Not quite get it, yes. - My gut feeling is we've got an individual here...
0:44:10 > 0:44:14- I think so too.- ..who is going to be right for the job, who performed in the interview.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16I totally agree.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19The wait always is the hardest bit and it's always excruciating
0:44:19 > 0:44:20because you just want to know.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23Let's just see if it stands the test of an overnight sleep.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26Fingers crossed, this time next week I'll maybe know something.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28Hopefully, fingers crossed.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38Keep walking. You're going to get into the...
0:44:38 > 0:44:42- That's all right that, innit?- Yeah.
0:44:42 > 0:44:45Four weeks and six truckloads later,
0:44:45 > 0:44:49finally the channel at Davyhulme is fat free.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53We've actually taken out of this channel 87 tonnes of fat.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57The carbon implications are that a tonne of biodiesel keeps
0:44:57 > 0:44:58a car off the road for a year.
0:44:58 > 0:45:01So we've effectively, by actually doing this process,
0:45:01 > 0:45:05took 32 cars off the road for the emissions and everything
0:45:05 > 0:45:08else that is dangerous to the environment for a entire year.
0:45:08 > 0:45:13It's quite impressive and it's only on one small part of the works, you know.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15We've saved, just on this one project alone,
0:45:15 > 0:45:17over £100,000 for United Utilities.
0:45:17 > 0:45:21This time, we've give the fat away for nothing.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24Next time, it might be an actual product we sell.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27# ..And I'm feeling good. #
0:45:39 > 0:45:41Mate, I can't wait for this shift to be over.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43Why?
0:45:43 > 0:45:44Another day, another dollar.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48Last day, last shift - can't be that bad.
0:45:48 > 0:45:52Yeah, this is the end of the dream team, so they say.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54What do you think, Tez? Are you happy I'm leaving or what, mate?
0:45:54 > 0:45:57Yeah, can't wait. Get someone decent 'work with.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59That's it.
0:45:59 > 0:46:00LAUGHS
0:46:00 > 0:46:04It's been emotional. The world is our oyster today.
0:46:04 > 0:46:07I'll not be questioned on my last shift.
0:46:08 > 0:46:10Turn your light off there, mate. Let's rock.
0:46:13 > 0:46:17- You're not going to miss working wi' me?- No, mate.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19Cheers, pal.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21I'm not going to miss thinking about shit all day.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28The first job is a blocked manhole in Blackpool.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31Although it is the last time you will ever use this wagon
0:46:31 > 0:46:34with me in it, do not dirty it.
0:46:37 > 0:46:38She's empty, mate.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41It's not, it's full. Bet you a fiver.
0:46:41 > 0:46:42Oh, yes!
0:46:42 > 0:46:44Full.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46Can you smell the aroma?
0:46:46 > 0:46:49It'll be the last time I'm smelling you, baby.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51THEY LAUGH
0:46:53 > 0:46:57I feel quite overwhelmed I'm leaving actually. I'm quite excited.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59Look at him - he has to mix it up.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01Yeah, you have to see what they've been eating, don't we?
0:47:01 > 0:47:03Can I do it?
0:47:03 > 0:47:05Excuse me. You're not trained enough for this.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07It's a bit hard fo' leave Terry
0:47:07 > 0:47:10because we've both been friends for a while now
0:47:10 > 0:47:13but I'm happy to leave me job and go to a new start, new beginnings.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15See where my life leads.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18Used to be a bromance. Now it's see you later, pal.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21Oh, yeah, it's just a bit of - bit of tissue there.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24Gone, it's gone.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26I'll miss the lads because they've been...
0:47:26 > 0:47:29Well, you're with them more than your girlfriend, you know.
0:47:29 > 0:47:31All the time in them wagons with them lads.
0:47:31 > 0:47:32HE SNIFFS
0:47:34 > 0:47:36Friendship!
0:47:37 > 0:47:41C'mon! And I think he is upset.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43He don't want me to go anyway.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46That's why he keeps saying, "Can we go for a drink tonight?
0:47:46 > 0:47:48"Can we go go-karting? Can we do something?"
0:47:48 > 0:47:50Can we do this? Can we do that?
0:47:52 > 0:47:54Love you, mate.
0:47:55 > 0:47:56It'll be all right.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00Last number, is it? In the back street up there, innit?
0:48:00 > 0:48:05With the manhole cleared, it's onto a blocked pipe just down the road.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07Sure! My God!
0:48:07 > 0:48:08Watch out fo' fudge!
0:48:08 > 0:48:11Watch out fo' dog fudge! There's millions of fudge!
0:48:11 > 0:48:13Where we...was this it?
0:48:13 > 0:48:17I don't know which one's which. Must be this one. In 'ere.
0:48:17 > 0:48:18Hold that.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20Mate, I'll just open gate for you.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22You all right? Sorry to bother you.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25The council reported a little dip in the highway, in the back street there.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- Yeah?- Is there any chance we could put a camera through the sewer?
0:48:28 > 0:48:31- Yeah.- There's a trap that used to be there.
0:48:31 > 0:48:32No, it's in this corner.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35Watch what you're doing, mate.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38I'm sure it's in this corner. There it is.
0:48:38 > 0:48:39Yes.
0:48:39 > 0:48:42- Where is it? Is it in there, really? - Yes.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45Once they find the trap, they put a camera down to locate the blockage.
0:48:45 > 0:48:50Whooh! This bin smells like your bed sheets.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52THEY LAUGH
0:48:52 > 0:48:54Cheers, mate.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58So, it's like here? On the wall.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01So, what we're doing now is just because we've camera-ed that trap,
0:49:01 > 0:49:04there's a slight open joint, which is the pipe pushed away,
0:49:04 > 0:49:07so the water's running to ground, so we're going to put a dig
0:49:07 > 0:49:10onto that there just to get that pipe replaced and changed up.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14Where it is, that's...
0:49:14 > 0:49:18It's like in the corner but like a foot back from fence, Tez.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23Terry likes to locate it. Then I try and have a go as well.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25When we've both been testing,
0:49:25 > 0:49:28we're both nigh-on bang on within a few inches of each other.
0:49:28 > 0:49:29I'm always better than Terry.
0:49:33 > 0:49:34Go from there, that hole.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37I'm good, I'm good. Are you happy, mate?
0:49:37 > 0:49:39I'm happy, happy as Larry.
0:49:39 > 0:49:41# If I'm happy, you happy. #
0:49:44 > 0:49:46After more than 42 years at the company,
0:49:46 > 0:49:49it's Joe's final day in the office.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52I think it's going to be harder work, once I retire.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54I've got a lot of DIY to get through.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58Still apprehensive, to be honest, still apprehensive about finishing
0:49:58 > 0:50:01but I know I'm going to go.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05Been part of your life for such a long time really.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14A decision's been made on who will take over his role.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19- Hello. - Come in, Andy. Have a seat.
0:50:19 > 0:50:23- Nice to see you, Andy.- I don't need to introduce you again to Joe, do I?
0:50:23 > 0:50:24No, I've met him before.
0:50:24 > 0:50:28Right, we're here to talk about the results of the interview
0:50:28 > 0:50:31process that we went through last week.
0:50:31 > 0:50:34We spent the week deliberating about the choice
0:50:34 > 0:50:39we were going to make and it's not been an easy choice for us at all
0:50:39 > 0:50:42but, to cut to the chase, erm,
0:50:42 > 0:50:45you've been unsuccessful on this occasion.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51Don't want you to be worried that you didn't do it justice.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53- You absolutely did.- Yeah.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56You know, and it was very, very close in the end, erm,
0:50:56 > 0:50:58particularly with yourself there.
0:50:58 > 0:51:00Yeah. Can I ask who it was who got it?
0:51:00 > 0:51:03- Yeah, Neil.- Neil? Yeah, I thought it was.
0:51:03 > 0:51:04Obviously disappointed because
0:51:04 > 0:51:07it's the third time I've gone for it now and I keep thinking...
0:51:07 > 0:51:10- You just start thinking am I doing something wrong or something?- No.
0:51:10 > 0:51:13But then each time you keep getting pipped to the post by someone,
0:51:13 > 0:51:16- you know, and that's fair enough. That's how it is.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:51:16 > 0:51:21- All right.- Cheers. No worries, thanks a lot. Cheers. - Cheers.- Cheers, Andy.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28Yes, I'm a bit disappointed, erm, but it's just one of those things.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30You just have to carry on.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33Each time I always do take it on the chin and keep going.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35I don't, you know, sulk about it or anything.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38As much as inside I may be disappointed.
0:51:38 > 0:51:42You know, but, hopefully, I just have to wait for the right opportunity.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49Last job, mate. Hopefully, it's an easy one, eh?
0:51:49 > 0:51:52Oh, mate, you can tell when it's been here for a bit
0:51:52 > 0:51:55because it's even got dead slugs in top.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57See that? Oh, yes.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02That's a good smelling one, ain't it?
0:52:02 > 0:52:05It's nice that, mate. Bit of a stubborn one, any road.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07- Water up.- It were a bit tight there a minute ago.
0:52:07 > 0:52:09- It's gone now.- Do you reckon someone lost a plonger?
0:52:09 > 0:52:11I reckon so.
0:52:11 > 0:52:15The thing I'll miss most, like, is the satisfaction of people being
0:52:15 > 0:52:17able to flush their toilets again.
0:52:17 > 0:52:21You know once we've gone and... They start worrying a bit, you see,
0:52:21 > 0:52:23when it starts bubbling in the toilets.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26Come on. Let's rock it out.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28Home time. End of drainage.
0:52:28 > 0:52:33May I just make this clear - this manhole lid that I'm about to put
0:52:33 > 0:52:37down will be the very last lid I ever lift up in my life.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Can't even put it down right. Ha-ha. Thank you.
0:52:40 > 0:52:44Pack the wagon away. Drainage is finished for me now.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46- I'll take truck home. You can walk. - You can take truck home!
0:52:48 > 0:52:52It's a sweet drive home now and, eh, that's the shift complete.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58Another day in the office - done.
0:52:58 > 0:52:59And finished.
0:52:59 > 0:53:01Cheers, mate. It's been a pleasure.
0:53:01 > 0:53:02It has.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04It has. See you later, pal. You start walking.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07Train station this way?
0:53:07 > 0:53:09Train station. I'm off, mate.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12I take you back cos I like you.
0:53:12 > 0:53:13C'mon.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15Job's a good 'un!
0:53:24 > 0:53:28Mate, how many hours you do think we've spent in this cab together?
0:53:28 > 0:53:30A fair few.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32About 20 million.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35MUSIC: "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy/Faith Evans/112
0:53:40 > 0:53:43Eh, this is like end of an era right now.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45- Eh?- It's like end of an era.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47We're here and I'll never be here again.
0:53:47 > 0:53:48Yeah.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56# When you went away... #
0:53:56 > 0:53:58This is our last song.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02Just to say Brom will never be in the office again.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04Woo-hoo!
0:54:05 > 0:54:06Thank God.
0:54:06 > 0:54:08No more days in the office.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10THEY RAP: But you're not around
0:54:10 > 0:54:12Know you're in heaven just smiling down
0:54:12 > 0:54:14Watching us while we pray for you...
0:54:14 > 0:54:17I'm hoping that he'll keep in contact with me, outside work.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19We just won't get to work with each other again.
0:54:19 > 0:54:22I'm happy. I've really enjoyed the job but that's it.
0:54:22 > 0:54:24Time to move on now. Job done.
0:54:26 > 0:54:27All the best, pal.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29- It's been a good 'un.- Good 'un.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31- Let's keep in touch, yeah?- Will do.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34Remember, if you're seeing any more girls, wear condoms and that.
0:54:34 > 0:54:37HE LAUGHS
0:54:38 > 0:54:41- Just go, go.- All right, mate. Just take care. Just text us and that.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43- I'll see you at weekend. - See you in a bit. Yeah.
0:54:43 > 0:54:44- You take care, mate.- Love you.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47Just say tara to everyone that I've not seen and that,
0:54:47 > 0:54:49- know what I mean? - All right. Love you.
0:54:49 > 0:54:50Love you, mate!
0:55:07 > 0:55:09GENERAL BACKGROUND CHATTER
0:55:09 > 0:55:12If I can...if I can have everybody's attention just for a minute.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14Joe was hoping that he'd just slink out of the door
0:55:14 > 0:55:18and nobody would notice but, after 42 years' service,
0:55:18 > 0:55:21which Joe has in, that was never going to happen.
0:55:21 > 0:55:22Great.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25I think I can sort of sense how well respected you've
0:55:25 > 0:55:28been by how many people have just turned up impromptu.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31So, it's just for me on behalf of everybody to really
0:55:31 > 0:55:33thank you for the service.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36From my point of view, it's been an absolutely fantastic journey.
0:55:36 > 0:55:39I just added up this morning, how much in terms of capital
0:55:39 > 0:55:42investment has been championed by Joe.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45It was just shy of half a billion pound.
0:55:45 > 0:55:47So, that's how significant it's been
0:55:47 > 0:55:49and that's just in the last eight years.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51- They won't be sacking 'im. > - Yeah, exactly!
0:55:51 > 0:55:52So, massive contribution. Andrew.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54Yeah, OK.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57- So, eh... - That's the something old.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59Right. Again.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01- And that's the something new. - With it being 42 years,
0:56:01 > 0:56:05we decided that we needed to recognise that spread of service.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07So, as Andy's just said, we've got
0:56:07 > 0:56:10something old for you that we'd like to present to you.
0:56:10 > 0:56:11Thank you.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15JOE LAUGHS
0:56:15 > 0:56:18It's a pair of North West Water cuff links.
0:56:18 > 0:56:19- Cuff links! - LAUGHTER
0:56:19 > 0:56:22I'll get the use of them, won't I?
0:56:22 > 0:56:25- Of course, we're not North West Water any more.- Brilliant.
0:56:25 > 0:56:29We've got something branded with United Utilities, so...
0:56:29 > 0:56:32- Brilliant, thank you very much. - Just a couple of small tokens.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35Oh, that's lovely. Thank you very much all.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37Erm... I'd like to thank you all.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40To be honest, I've had 42 good years.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46Erm, yeah, I don't really want to say much more about that
0:56:46 > 0:56:49but, eh, thank you very much for turning up.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Thank you very much. And I'll see you.
0:56:51 > 0:56:54And I formally thank you, Joe, and wish you well in your retirement.
0:57:01 > 0:57:05I've always said I would go when I was ready and I think I'm ready.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11It's the people I'll miss, to be honest. You know, the daily
0:57:11 > 0:57:14interactions. It's the little things that come up and, yeah,
0:57:14 > 0:57:16it's going to be different.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23I think that's everything. 42 years in a box.
0:57:24 > 0:57:26I am happy to go.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29I know all good things have got to come to an end sometime.
0:57:29 > 0:57:30See you next month.
0:57:33 > 0:57:35I'm just sorry to leave all these people behind.
0:57:43 > 0:57:45- Thanks, Andy.- It's all right.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50- Well, thanks very much for all your help, Andy.- All the best.