A Day in the Life of a Drainage Engineer at Arch Utility Services

Ever wondered what it’s really like to be on the front lines of drainage engineering? At Arch Utility Services, our engineers face unpredictable challenges, early starts, and the satisfaction of helping people sometimes all before breakfast. To give you an authentic glimpse, we’re sharing a poem written by former team member Ryan Ivor Rees, which beautifully captures the spirit of a typical day in the field.

"A Day in the Life"

By Ryan Ivor Rees, Arch Services

Alarm goes off at 6.30am I come around slowly

and hear tapping of rain hitting the window pane,

It is then awake with the feeling of excitement

and dread.

As I realise, I'm in for an outing as I leave my bed.

I jump in my van and off I go, but on route

the traffic is slow,

Surface water flows, down from the hills,

Gullies are blocked, roads flooded and the

traffic is still.

Then pling goes my phone, I've got a message

to say,

It's for poor old Doris, I need to save the day.

I U-turn in the road and proceed upon my way.

I pull up outside with beacons on flash,

Poor old Doris on the doorstep, aghast.

Water is rising and soon she will flood,

I scramble through bushes to the manhole in mud.

I lift the cover and I see the issue right there,

A sparkle in my eye, I give Doris a sneaky glare.

Out comes the rod and I poke and I prod,

Then all of a sudden Doris shouts "Oh, good God!"

The water starts subsiding and the flood

is no more,

Little old Doris smiles by her door.

The panic is over and the water is gone,

I've done my bit and leave singing a song!

More Than Just Pipes and Problems

Ryan’s poem paints a vivid picture of the realities our engineers face early starts, unpredictable weather, and the responsibility of protecting homes and businesses from flooding. But it also highlights the real satisfaction that comes from solving problems and helping people in their moment of need.

What Does a Typical Day Involve?

Early Mornings: Our teams are on the road before most people are awake, ready to tackle emergency call-outs and scheduled maintenance.

Problem Solving: Every job is different, from blocked drains and flooded roads to complex CCTV surveys and bespoke CIPP lining installations.

Technical Expertise: Our engineers use advanced tools and technology from high pressure jetting to state of the art CCTV rigs to diagnose and solve problems quickly and safely.

Customer Care: Whether it’s a commercial client or a resident like Doris, our team always aims to deliver quality without compromise and a friendly, reassuring presence.

Teamwork: Communication and collaboration are key, both within the team and with clients, contractors, and consulting engineers.

Why We Love What We Do

It’s not just about pipes and machinery. It’s about making a difference keeping homes dry, businesses running, and communities safe. Our engineers take pride in their technical skills, their quick thinking, and their ability to turn a stressful situation into a positive outcome.

Join Our Team

If you’re looking for a career where no two days are the same, where your work truly matters, and where you’ll be part of a supportive, expert team Arch Utility Services could be the place for you. Contact us to find out more about current opportunities, or just to learn more about what we do!

Want to Know More?

For more stories from the field, technical insights, and updates on our latest projects, keep an eye on our blog. Or get in touch if you’d like to see first hand what makes Arch Utility Services different.

Contact Us

Sources: Poem by Ryan Ivor Rees, Arch Services team experiences