St Andrews drains ‘on a diet’ in bid to tackle scourge of giant fatbergs
● Blocked sewers cost £6.5m a year ● Most caused by oil, fat and grease
Action to combat giant fatbergs that block sewers, causing pollution and flooding, is being stepped up in Scotland.
Scottish Water is testing a new strategy to tackle the problem, which occurs when fats are poured down drains then combine with other waste and congeal into a solid mass.
The new Fat Free Sewer project, the first of its kind in Scotland, is being trialled in St Andrews.
The pilot scheme will see every food service venue in the Fife town, including takeaways, cafes, restaurants and hotels, visited by food waste management experts.
Businesses will be advised on the best ways to dispose of fats, oils and grease, (FOG) and advised whether their management systems – if they have any – are sufficient for their needs.
It is estimated that around eight in ten establishments have inadequate or no systems in place at all.
Where facilities are found to be inadequate, inspectors will offer advice on improvements and return later to check necessary action has been taken.
St Andrews was picked for the six-month initiative as it has more than 100 establishments that serve food, all within close proximity, and is a busy university town popular with tourists.
If successful, it will be rolled out nationwide.
“Many blockages in our sewer network occur as a result of
the incorrect disposal of fats and oils into the sewer system,” said Mike Will, general manager of waste water operations at Scottish Water.
“The consequences on the environment can be huge – it can cause flooding to properties and roads and pollute rivers, as well as impacting valuable assets such as bathing waters.”
He added: “We are effectively attempting to put St Andrews drains on a diet.
“Even the way businesses wash pots, plates and utensils with greasy residue on them can have a profound impact on our sewers.
“FOG congeals in our sewers and causes blockages. Additionally, if you combine FOG to other things which should
not be in our network – such as wet wipes and sanitary items – the consequences can be catastrophic.”
Scottish Water workers are called out to an average of 95 sewer blockages across the country every day, costing £6.5 million a year.
More than half are caused by FOG being disposed of incorrectly down drains and sinks.
Theschemehasbeenpraised by environmentalists.
Pete Leonard, operations director at Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “We must think carefully about what we put down drains – whether that is flushing wet wipes or cotton buds or putting fats, oils or grease down the sink.”