Pilot fatberg-busting scheme rolled out to Cupar restaurants

Scottish Water’s fatberg-busting scheme has been extended to Cupar.

A number of restaurants, takeaways, hotels and cafés are taking part in a pilot project to make sure they are disposing of fats, oils and grease in the right way by using fat trapping equipment.

If the substances are poured down sinks and drains they can form congealed lumps, known as fatbergs, which block sewer pipes, leading to floods and environmental damage.

The work is part of Scottish Water’s campaign to substantially reduce sewer blockages.

A pilot project began in St Andrews in September where premises have been visited to make sure they have the right equipment in kitchens to prevent fats, oils and grease from getting into the sewer.

The project has now been extended to include St Catherine Street, Crossgate and Bonnygate in Cupar and businesses in City Quay in Dundee.

Officers from monitoring company Environmental Compliance and Services have been visiting food businesses on behalf of Scottish Water to perform audits and give recommendations on equipment.

Operations director Robert Lynch said education was key, adding: “It’s a busy time of year for food service establishments, so we’re happy to be able to help them out.”

The Dragon Horse Chinese takeaway in Cupar’s Bonnygate is one of the businesses which has been visited and managers are now ordering new grease trapping equipment as a result.

Matthew Ng said: “This campaign has given us a better understanding of what we need to do, to make sure all our fats, oils and grease is carefully disposed of.

“We’re happy to support the campaign and would encourage other businesses to do the same.”

Scottish Water deals with 37,000 blockages every year, costing it £6.5 million.