Under SIEGE

BUILD UP OF FAT AND UNFLUSHABLE WASTE AT WARWICK CASTLE THREATENS TO CAUSE FLOODING IN TOWN

AFTER surviving attacks and devastating fires, Warwick Castle is once again under siege – this time from fat!

Severn Trent experts have discovered that pipes running underneath the town and castle have become clogged with fat and unflushable waste.

The water company now says that the pipes will need to be cleared to prevent sewerage flooding the castle and people’s homes.

Plans are being made to switch off, drain and clean the pipe underneath the medieval castle’s south-east corner as the blockage, caused by hot fat congealing in the pipes when it cools, is preventing waste water flowing to Longbridge Sewage Works for treatment.

According to Malcolm Smith, customer and community lead for Severn Trent, this isn’t the first time Warwick has been plagued with ‘fatbergs’.

Since this issue first came to light in 2015, when we found that there was a major problem with fat building up in the town sewers, we’ve been constantly monitoring the system in Warwick,” he said.

“Last week we’ve found that the town’s businesses and residents haven’t learnt their lesson as it’s happening all over again!

“Huge amounts of fat are congealing in the town’s sewers and drains and if we don’t clear it out again soon, there could be sewer flooding throughout the town – along roads, into houses and gardens, and worryingly, at the world famous Warwick Castle.

Malcolm also expressed fears that waste could run into the River Avon – it currently is transported under the river through pipes to the treatments works outside of town.

He added: “There could also be sewage flooding into the river close to where people hire boats. We can’t allow this to happen, not to our customers, and not to the visitors to the castle, so we are acting fast.”

Severn Trent are now implementing a prevent strategy to stop hot oil and fat being poured down sinks.

Malcolm continued: “It would appear that Warwick is

under constant threat from fat. This is a common problem in our towns and cities, as people constantly pour oil and fat down our drains, and flush wipes down toilets.

“As part of our strategy to prevent sewer” misuse, we’ll be visiting restaurants and takeaways in Warwick yet again to talk to owners about safe disposal of fat to try to prevent this happening again.

“But there’s a part for our customers in Warwick to play too – please put wipes in the bin, not down the toilet and pour cooking oil and fat into a sealable container when it’s cold, and throw that into the

Huge amounts of fat are congealing in the town’s sewers.. if we don’t clear it out soon there could be sewer flooding. Severn Trent