Fat and underpants help to block sewers in the area

NOVELTY pants, fluffy slippers and turkey fat are just a few of the things that Severn Trent could be clearing from the sewers this Christmas.

Residents are being warned to take care over Christmas as engineers from the company are preparing for call outs to all kinds of blockages over the festive season.

James Jesic, operations manager for Severn Trent, said: “Over the years we’ve seen almost everything turn up in our sewers, from a pair of Muppets slippers to a big pile of pants and even part of a motorbike!

“While these all cause us issues in the sewers there’s something much worse – fat, oil and grease.

“Everyone loves to indulge at Christmas time and you may find your kitchen turning into a factory, churning out endless festive snacks and treats – but please, please don’t pour hot fat and grease down the sink.

“It might seem harmless when you’re doing it, but that grease quickly solidifies when it cools and sticks to the sides of our sewers forming a concrete-like solid that attracts other debris, eventually causing a blockage.

“With no way through, the waste water backs up the system, coming out of drains and sewers in roads or even into homes - nobody wants a flooded house for Christmas.”

Millions of pounds of damage is caused each year as blocked drains cause sewer flooding, more than 75% of which are the result of preventable blockages such as fats, oils and grease being poured directly down kitchen sinks.

James added: “We’d ask that customers bag it and bin it in containers such as the special ‘gunk pot’ we offer customers for free, and which are available by visiting www.stwater.co.uk/fattrap.

“Some presents nobody wants to receive – not even your sink. So this Christmas spare your sink from blockages and give the gift of fat, oil and grease to your bin instead!”