We’re always looking at ways to keep sewer networks free from fat, oil and grease by working together.
If homes and waterways were under threat, you’d expect organisations of all stripes to join forces to tackle the issue, right? Sewer blockages are that issue – and work’s already underway. In the final part of our three-part series, learn how we’re rallying with charities, environmental organisations and the government to protect our communities and the environment from the threat of sewer blockages.
A cause worth fighting
Fatbergs are threatening our sewers – and they’re every bit as frightful as they sound. When they block a sewer, they’re everyone’s problem. They block the flow of wastewater, which can cause it to back-up and ruin homes, disrupt businesses and harm the environment.
But where do fatbergs come from? They’re made of fat, oil and grease (FOG) washed down sinks, mixed with wet wipes and other unflushables flushed down people’s loos. And they’re growing faster as the population rises and the number of food service establishments booms. So, what’s being done to stop them?
Experts assemble – the European FOG Summit in Liverpool, October 2022
We were pleased to partner with the European FOG Summit again. The summit brought together the water and hospitality sectors on 18-19 October in Liverpool. Discussions centred on how to capture FOG at source. Thought leaders from across Europe gathered remotely and in-person for a series of talks, panel discussions and networking sessions. Together, we weighed-up the challenge, debated the best ways to beat blockages and shared approaches being taken at home and overseas.
While we’re putting our heads together with other experts to discuss the problem, what about inspiring the next generation to take action?
Inspiring young people
To inspire young people to think about how their choices affect the world we share, we’ve formed an educational partnership with City-to-Sea, an environmental not-for-profit organisation, tackling plastic pollution at source.
As a society, we rarely talk about periods. So, we often ignore the impact period products can have on the environment we share. If they’re flushed down people’s loos, they can clog sewers. Half the blockages in 2021 were caused by people flushing the wrong things down their toilets, including tampons, pads and wet wipes. That’s why we’re supporting City-to-Sea’s award-winning Rethink Periods campaign.
Rethink Periods helps young people (and those teaching them) understand the impact their choices can have. Now in its second year, this free education programme for teachers and school nurses aims to provide up-to-date information about periods and their social and environmental aspects. Over 200 400 schools in our region have now completed the training. Each one received a free product demonstration box to talk about in the classroom, which includes eco-friendly alternatives, such as reusable or organic options. (If you know a school who’d like to receive this free training, email [email protected].)
Since 2018, we’ve also worked with Eastbourne Youth Radio to get our message out to 8,000 local listeners. In the four years since we first sponsored the event, different team members have been interviewed on air to spread the word about what customers can do to protect homes and coastlines from the impact of blockages.
Spreading our message in classrooms and on the airwaves is getting the word out, but how are we supporting action on the ground?
Grassroots support for our countryside
In terms of the countryside, we’re spoiled here in the South East – we have over 700 miles of coastline, two National Parks, four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and some of the world’s rarest chalk streams. We’re proud to work with organisations on the ground to protect these picturesque landscapes and precious habitats.
As part of our work with Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, for 2022–23, we’ve committed £12,000 to support River Wardens recording wildlife sightings, educational sessions for schools and litter picks. We’re also providing Medway Swale Estuary Partnership with funding, training, literature and freebies – as well as getting stuck in at beach cleans.
While this all makes a difference at a local level, what’s happening to tackle the issue at large?
Bringing the battle against blockages into law
The fight against FOG and unflushables has made it to parliament. In recent years, two key bills have been put forward – one to counter the impact of wet wipes, the other the challenge of FOG.
In November 2021, Labour MP Fleur Anderson’s bill to ban wet wipes containing plastic passed its first Commons hurdle, but the bill did not get through the final stage. Meanwhile, under the Environmental Bill – which is coming in 2023 – FOG will be classed as food waste and collected by local authorities to be turned into energy. Despite the problems FOG can cause, it can be used for good too. When collected correctly, FOG can be used instead of fossil fuels – supporting the UK’s drive to reach net zero carbon.
Ready to do your bit?
If you missed them, part one and part two are available.
Thanks for following the FOG Blog series. If you’re one of our many customers already disposing of household waste responsibly, thank you. If what you’ve read has inspired you to reflect on your kitchen and bathroom habits, now’s the perfect time to find out how you can keep it clear and help us protect our communities, the countryside and coastlines from the impact of blockages.