Berkshire utility company calls on people to 'bin it don't block it' this Christmas
Thames Water is worried about the amount of cooking oil which is thrown down the sink
Christmas dinner with all the trimmings could lead to a rise in blockages and fatbergs that can flood homes and streets with sewage, families are being warned by Reading-based Thames Water
Cooking oil from roast potatoes, buttered greens, basted meats and pigs in blankets can congeal to block drains and sewers if washed down the kitchen sink.
They're calling on people to let the fat cool down before scraping it into a bin.
Anna Boyles, Thames Water’s operations manager, said:
“Thinking about sewers is probably the last thing on people’s minds over Christmas, but blocked pipes are a big problem – and an overflowing toilet or manhole cover could really ruin someone’s festivities.
“Cooking fat will eventually turn solid and build up in your pipes, potentially causing sewage to back up into homes, streets and parks.
“Instead of pouring oil down the sink, collect it in a jar or yoghurt pot. Leave it to cool and, once it’s set, scoop it out and pop it straight into the bin.
“It’s a myth that pouring boiling water and washing-up liquid down the sink will keep things moving. The soap may actually harden in your pipes, sticking to other item and adding to the problem.”
Thames Water says fat in the sewers can also combine with items like wet wipes to make the blockages bigger and more difficult to remove.
Thames Water spends millions of pounds a year clearing a total of 75,000 sewer blockages - most of them caused by fat and wet wipes – across London and the Thames Valley. Half of these blockages cause internal flooding.