The blockage figures are:
• Borough of Bromley – 5,810 blockages cleared in last three years
• Mole Valley – 1,523 blockages cleared in last three years
• Epping Forest – 3,030 blockages cleared in last three years
• Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead – 3,774 blockages cleared in last three years
Clearing fatbergs is costing Thames Water £1 million, and the company has just launched a widespread campaign urging its customers to ‘Bin it – don’t block it’ when it comes to anything other than toilet paper and human waste. As part of the campaign around 300,000 homes and businesses will receive advice in the post along with details of how to order a free fat trap to help them dispose of used cooking fat in the bin rather than pouring it down the sink. Billboard and bus stop posters will also be appearing across the four hotspot areas during the six-week campaign.
Thames Water’s head of customer field services, Jerry White, said: “Often people don’t realise the consequences of putting things other than human waste and toilet paper down their toilets and drains but it’s time for everyone to understand and take action. It’s not just fat that’s the problem but wipes are a massive issue too. Many will be labelled as “flushable” and they may disappear when you flush the toilet, but they don’t break down once they get into the sewer pipes. These wipes seem to be in most of our homes now so we all have a responsibility to do the right thing and put them in the bin.
“Blockages will often lead to sewage flooding homes, businesses and the environment and in Bromley, Mole Valley, Epping Forest and Windsor & Maidenhead this is a regular occurrence.”
This article first appeared in Utility Week’s sister title WWTonline