When fats, oils, and grease (FOG) enter the sewers it begins to harden within the pipes. This builds up over time and can cause a sewer blockage. This can lead to a flood in or around your property, unpleasant odours, rodent infestation, and environmental pollution.
Business owners have a responsibility to stop FOG from entering the public sewer. It's a criminal offence under Section 111 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to discharge into the public sewers any matter which may interfere with the free flow of wastewater.
What causes sewer blockages?
FOG can enter the sewer network via the sink from food preparation, cooking, food waste, and cleaning of dishes and cutlery. These include meats, fats, dairy products, cooking oil, butter, gravy, sauces, salad dressings, starch water, baked goods, and lard.
Pouring boiling water down the sink does not prevent blockages. It will cool and congeal further down the pipe and could cause problems to both your property and those around you.
How to prevent sewer blockages?
To make sure FOG doesn't enter the sewer network, a FOG management system would need to be installed.
Once this management system is in place, regular maintenance is essential to make sure it is functioning adequately.
How we can help
We have some useful information below that you can download and print for your kitchen including useful tips to follow, a list of local contractors to help you manage FOG, and a grease trap cleaning record.
For more information and advice, please contact us at FOGInvestigations@nwl.co.uk
Are you sure?
Changes are waiting to be saved