Disposal: Don’t get into a FOG

What are fatbergs and what causes them?

Fatbergs are lumps of fatty gunk which can set as hard as concrete. They are caused by fat, oil and grease (FOG) being disposed of down sinks and drains. They may combine with other items which should not have been flushed away, such as wet wipes and sanitary products.

But aren’t the oils in liquid form?

Fat, oil and grease in liquid form may not appear to be harmful but they congeal when they cool down. Whether it is saturated fat, like lard, or monounsaturated fat, like olive oil or vegetable oil, they all congeal.

What damage can fatbergs do?

They can cause blockages to the inner lining of drain pipes, which can lead to waste water flooding into gardens and properties, causing a health hazard to wildlife and the local environment. The waste water drain that runs from your house to the sewer is usually only about four inches wide, meaning that problems can accumulate quickly.

How big can fatbergs become?

A giant fatberg was discovered in a London sewer last year. The “monster” fatberg, weighing more than 10 doubledecker buses, had clogged up a stretch of Victorian sewer under Whitechapel Road.

What is the financial cost of dealing with fatbergs?

Scottish Water deals with 37,000 blockages every year, costing £6.5 million to attend and clear.