Cooks urged not to cause drain-blocking fatbergs

People have been urged not to pour fats, oils or grease down their kitchen sink over Christmas in order to avoid blockages and forming fatbergs.

South West Water (SWW) said it had cleared more than 7,000 avoidable blockages from its wastewater network over the past year, removing 450 tonnes (70,863st) of waste in the process.

It said about three-quarters of the issues were caused by fats, oils and grease being poured down sinks along with wet wipes being flushed down toilets.

SWW said it was a "peak period" for fats, oil and grease entering the sewer network and asked people to dispose of them in a bin or food waste caddy after they had cooled down and hardened.

Advice has also been issued by SWW about avoiding putting food scraps and coffee grounds down the sink, saying this can also contribute to blockages.

Bosses at the water company added wet wipes - even those labelled as "flushable" - should be thrown in a bin rather than put down a toilet.

Wet wipes, fats, oils and grease can clump together in sewers to cause "fatbergs", which lead to blockages.

Mark Willis, customer service and network manager for wastewater services at SWW, said: "Christmas is a time for enjoying festive meals and celebrating with family, but it's also a peak period for fats, oils and grease entering the sewer network.

"By following our simple festive tips at home, households can prevent blockages, protect the environment and help ensure a worry-free Christmas for everyone."

SWW added it would be working alongside environmental compliance experts ECAS to ensure businesses were disposing their fats, oils and grease safely during the festive period.

The utility provides water and sewerage services to about 1.8 million customers in Devon and Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, plus small parts of Dorset and Somerset.

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