Yorkshire Water Advises Against Sink Disposal of Cooking Fats

Yorkshire Water has advised residents against disposing of cooking fats from festive meals down household sinks to prevent pipe obstructions. According to the utility provider, the primary cause of most blockages throughout the area, particularly during the holiday season, is the disposal of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) into sinks. Pouring hot fat or cooking oil into drains obstructs sewage flow and can result in the formation of “fatbergs.” Such obstructions can render toilets unusable for individuals and, in severe instances, may lead to sewage overflows contaminating homes and outdoor spaces. Yorkshire Water reported an annual expenditure exceeding £750,000 to address blockages originating from these practices. In 2023, the company’s jetting crews resolved 31,485 blockages throughout Yorkshire, with 40% attributed to inappropriate items being discarded via sinks. The water utility has provided the subsequent recommendations for preventing blockages during the upcoming Christmas period: James Harrison, who serves as the head of customer field services at Yorkshire Water, stated: “We understand that it is easy to pour cooking fats down the sink without thinking, but they can have a significant impact for homeowners and on the wider sewer network over time.” He added: “It’s important people bin cooking fats, oils and greases over the Christmas period to reduce the likelihood of blockages in their area.”