8wks to clear 210ft fatberg
A FATBERG which is longer than six double-decker buses has been uncovered in the sewer of a seaside town.
The 64 metre (210ft) mound of hardened fat, oil and wet-wipes is thought to be one of the largest ever found.
It was discovered in a sewer near a children’s play area, not far from the sea and waste workers said it could take eight weeks to clear the mess.
Andrew Roantree, of South West Water, said of the find, in Sidmouth, Devon: “It shows how this key environmental issue is not just facing the UK’s cities, but right here in our coastal towns.
“It is the largest discovered in our
service history and it will take our sewer team around eight weeks to dissect this monster in exceptionally challenging work conditions.
“Thankfully, it has been identified in good time, with no risk to bathing waters.”
Fatbergs form like a snowball, as wet-wipes get flushed down toilets and fats, oil and grease congeal together to gradually form a hard mass.
They have become a menace throughout Britain, as Victorian plumbing systems meet modern wipes.
Mr Roantree added: “If you keep just one New Year’s resolution this year, let it be to not pour fats, oil or grease down the drain or flush wet-wipes down the loo. The consequences can be significant. Put your pipes on a diet and don’t feed the fatberg.”