Fat-free festivities

20/12/2007

A giant monkey is encouraging people not to cause a sink stink this Christmas. 

Northumbrian Water’s Grease Monkey, Chips, is reminding people how to dispose of fat properly during the festive season.

When fat, hot or cold, is poured down sinks and drains it can cause many problems.  The fat cools, solidifies and builds up in the sewers, creating blockages.  This can cause homes and gardens to be flooded, which is very distressing for homeowners.

Nearly one third of all sewer flooding is caused by fat and grease being put down the sink and an estimated 25% more fat ends up in drains and sewers over the Christmas period. 

Chips explains that the correct way to dispose of Christmas turkey fat, food scraps and brandy sauce is his way!  Allow it to cool, then scrape or pour it out into newspaper or an old cardboard box and put it in the bin.

Cleaning grease at just one big sewage treatment works costs about £50,000 a year.  Northumbrian Water has hundreds of sewage treatment works and over 15,500km of sewers to look after.

Customers have put sewer flooding as a priority for Northumbrian Water’s five-year investment programme (2005 – 2010).  A total of £380 million is being invested in upgrading Northumbrian Water’s sewerage network from Berwick down to North Yorkshire across to the Pennines.

An alternative to putting turkey fat in the bin is to give garden birds a festive treat this winter and ensure they receive the energy they need to survive the bitterly cold weather.  Fats are high in energy and make excellent bird cakes when mixed with seeds, nuts, dried fruit, cheese and oatmeal.

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For further information please contact Alison Mosquera on 0191 301 6722.