Fatbergs! What you need to know.
Fatbergs have been very topical lately, with some very high-profile cases making headlines in the South East. Here we give you the low-down on everything fatberg related!!!
What is a fatberg?
Fatbergs are gargantuan masses of waste that have solidified and are clogging up sewage systems up and down the country. Fatbergs are made up of Fat’s, oil & grease (FOG), as well as lots of other lovely things like; used wet wipes, sanitary towels and nappies. All of which have been flushed down the toilet, NICE!
How do fatbergs build up?
The combination of the solidified FOG and the single use plastics build-up overtime underground. Eventually this amalgamates, solidifies and causes blockages to pipework and sewer systems.
How big can they get?
BIG! Due to its dense population and dated sewer networks, London has seen the most notable discoveries within its water pipes!
In 2017, Thames Water reported a fatberg weighing in at a mammoth 130 tonnes clogging water pipes in Whitechapel. This is the largest fatberg ever found in a UK sewer system!
How can we stop fatbergs forming?
There are two main contributors to fatbergs, the general public and commercial kitchens.
The General public
“Bin it, don’t block it!” is the message from the waterboards!
- Wet wipes.
- Sanitary products.
- Cotton-buds.
- Nappies.
Belong in the bin, not the toilet. These items are predominantly made up of single use plastics that do not breakdown in the sewer the same way that paper does.
Commercial kitchens
It is the legal responsibility of all businesses to dispose of Fats, Oils and Grease which are produced by their commercial kitchens in an environmentally friendly manner. Unfortunately, many commercial kitchens do not have the correct grease management measures in place to deal with their waste and much of it works its way into the water pipes, ultimately contributing towards the formation of fatbergs!
How can Grease Guru help?
Grease Guru provide a total grease management service. We supply and install grease traps for commercial use across the UK. Once installed we also provide an on-going grease trap cleaning, maintenance and repairs service. We have over 20 years’ experience in helping our commercial partners better manage their grease. For more information on how we can help you contact your local grease management engineer at Grease Guru.