Wessex Water has introduced two new canine recruits, cocker spaniel brothers Bluey and Bandit, to help tackle sewer misconnections and protect rivers across the region.
Misconnections occur when household appliances such as toilets or showers are incorrectly plumbed into surface water sewers. This can cause untreated wastewater to enter rivers and streams, threatening aquatic life and polluting the environment.
Bluey and Bandit form part of Wessex Water’s award-winning canine unit, trained to detect wastewater odours through manhole covers. With up to 300 million scent receptors—compared to just six million in humans—the dogs can identify pollution far more quickly than traditional methods.
Nikki Glover, Senior Environmental Detection Dog Handler at Wessex Water, said: “Bluey and Bandit have been training for the past six months using odours on manhole cover lids. They are already proving very effective alongside our Stream Clean team, finding misconnections faster, saving time and money, and delivering clear environmental benefits.”
The dogs were trained by Cape SPC, specialists in canine leak detection. They follow in the footsteps of Wessex Water’s earlier detection dogs Freya, Newky and Obi, who made headlines for locating protected great crested newts.
As part of Wessex Water’s wider Stream Clean programme, the canine unit helps to reduce pollution, restore river health, and protect communities across the company’s service area.
