South West Water Issues Warning Against Pouring Fats and Oils Down Drains

An alert has been issued to residents throughout the south west of England, advising them not to dispose of fats, oils, and grease by pouring them into drains during the holiday season. South West Water (SWW) reported a rise in the disposal of fats and oils, collectively referred to as FOGS, via drains during Christmas, resulting in obstructions and fatbergs that have the potential to cause inundation and contamination. The utility provider stated that it addressed 6,400 obstructions in the previous year, with FOGS and wet wipes being responsible for 75% of these incidents. Jay Harris, who serves as the director of wastewater services, commented that a significant number of these blockages were “entirely preventable”. The utility firm identified a traditional Christmas roast as “a key culprit”. It advised that FOGS ought to be discarded responsibly by cleaning pans with kitchen roll prior to washing, and by pouring used oils and grease into a receptacle for disposal once cooled. Mr Harris stated: “By making small changes, we can all protect the environment and ensure our sewers continue to operate smoothly. Please only flush the ‘three Ps’ – pee, poo and paper. This is a really simple and effective way of protecting internal household pipes and the wider sewer network.” SWW noted that approximately 10 million turkeys are consumed annually throughout the UK during the holiday season. It further mentioned that a medium-sized turkey yields approximately three quarters of a pint of fat. “This equates to over 5.6 million litres of fat – enough to fill over 18,500 bathtubs,” the company reported. For updates, follow BBC Cornwall and BBC Devon on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.