Fatberg ‘the size of a blue whale’ removed from Oxford sewer
A build up of grease and fat, the size of a blue whale, has been removed from a sewer in Oxford
A 120-tonne solid mass of fat, grease, oil and wipes has been removed from a sewer in Oxford.
Thames Water say it’s ‘equivalent in size of a blue whale’ and stretched over one kilometre long.
It’s not far from the largest fatberg ever recorded which was found in London's Whitechapel area in 2017 and weighed 130-tonnes, according to the Guiness Book of World Records.
The fatberg found in Oxford took two weeks to clear, requiring multiple teams and contractors, which highlights the scale and complexity of the operation.
Jamie Whitmore, Senior Project Manager said “Our purpose is to deliver life's essential service, so our customers, communities and the environment can thrive.
“Clearing this 120-tonne fatberg showcased the dedication, expertise, and teamwork of our people across the business.
“The scale of the blockage and the conditions underground made this activity challenging and I’m incredibly proud, we were able to maintain the safety of our teams whilst continuing to provide wastewater services for Oxford.
“This is a powerful reminder of why it’s so important to only flush the three Ps down the toilet, so we can continue to keep our sewers flowing and reduce the risk of flooding, blockages and pollutions.”
Every year, Thames Water clears 75,000 blockages from their sewer network, which costs around £18 million - according to the company.
They say ‘due to the pipe’s size and depth underground, high gas levels elevated by the fatberg, and the need to maintain Oxford’s wastewater flow, the operation required careful planning with safety as a top priority.
‘This included securing special permits, safely venting the built-up gases before entry and taking advantage of the dry weather conditions to ensure a safe and controlled operation.’
The water supplier is also highlighting the importance of only flushing the three Ps down the toilet – Pee, Poo and Paper.
According to Thames Water, they’ve cleared 35,178 blockages due to sewer abuse including:
23,556 wet wipe related blockages.
11,104 fat, oil and grease blockages.
518 3rd party blockages, such as concrete and other items.