Launch of charter in battle to fight fat attack on sewers
Posted: Thursday 18th December 2008
A new charter and mission statement from Anglian Water to help prevent pollution caused by fats, oils and grease (FOG) in sewers is being launched with the backing of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), the Environment Agency and Water UK.
It is estimated British sewers are 10% filled with waste fats oils and grease (FOG) - around 170,000 tonnes which is enough to fill 68 Olympic sized swimming pools. If converted into biodiesel, there would be 153 million litres - enough to power 130,000 average family cars for a year.
Approximately £20 million is spent on clearing the 200,000 drain and sewer blockages which occur throughout the UK every year. The production of oils and fats for cooking has trebled since the 1960s and around three out of every four sewerage blockages are due to a build up of FOG placed down the sink in catering establishments, restaurants and pubs as well as homes and industrial outlets.
Anglian Water has pioneered a successful partnership scheme working closely with local authorities and traders to raise awareness about FOG and promote a free waste collection service. It is hoped the scheme will be introduced across the country to encourage better disposal of waste FOG.
Peter Simpson, Chief Operating Officer of Anglian Water, said: “We hope that as many local authorities and concerned organisations will sign up to it, passing on knowledge of good kitchen practice and methods of disposing of FOG, as well as celebrating and recognising those who make a real commitment to preventing FOG harming the environment.”
Graham Jukes, Chief Executive of CIEH, said: “Public health depends on our collective ability to render waste streams harmless – and where appropriate to reuse and recycle waste. The UK has a sophisticated underground sewerage system that as a result of modern day usage is being clogged up by the fats, oils and grease. The CIEH welcomes this multi agency initiative as a means for safeguarding public health and ensuring the continued efficiency of our sewerage system.”
Environment Manager Kevin Rutterford, of the Environment Agency, said: “Pollution resulting from a blockage in a sewer can be devastating for the environment. And FOG takes up valuable space in the sewer increasing the risk of overflows and damage to our rivers.”
