Over 16 million ‘butter blocks’ of fat kept out of Peterborough's sewers
A campaign to keep sewers clear is helping tackle issues in Peterborough, including the so-called “Peterborough Pong.”
The East of England’s water authorities believe a pioneering partnership with a leading environmental compliance company has helped to save around 10 million litres of fat from entering the region’s sewers.
That is the equivalent of more than 16 million blocks of butter!
Anglian Water says working with Environmental Compliance and Services (ECAS) to prevent avoidable blockages has helped protect homes and businesses in Peterborough and beyond from flooding and pollution.
Established in 2019, the longstanding partnership has achieved its impressive feat by helping more than 12,000 commercial kitchens across the Eastern region change their everyday habits to ensure fats, oils and grease (FOGs) are prevented from entering the sewer system.
Connor Brailsford, Sewer Misuse Programme Manager at Anglian Water, said the approach was “a great example of how changes in everyday behaviour and the correct equipment can deliver significant, lasting benefits.”
He added: “By working closely with ECAS and food businesses across our region, we’ve helped keep millions of litres of fat out of the sewer network, reducing blockages, protecting communities from flooding, and safeguarding the environment.”
Sam Dalton, Operations Director at ECAS, said: “By showing kitchen staff the importance of effective grease-trapping equipment and responsible kitchen practices, we’re helping food businesses keep FOG out of the sewers.”
FOGs left over from everyday cooking can cause serious issues when they enter sinks, dishwashers or internal drains and make their way into the sewer network. Warm fat may appear harmless as it slips down the drain, but it quickly cools, hardens and coats sewer walls, reducing capacity and causing blockages. Over time, this significantly increases the risk of sewer flooding and environmental damage.
The adverse effects of sewer blockages are something regular visitors to Peterborough city centre are quite familiar with.
It is believed the so-called ‘Peterborough Pong’ – an unpleasant odour that lingers around Bourges Boulevard following prolonged hot and/or wet weather – can be attributed to unsuitable items being deposited into the city’s sewage system.
While the issues here are more likely to be caused by household hygiene products being incorrectly flushed than FOGs from commercial kitchens, the observations from Anglian Water remain much the same.
“As well as causing blockages that reduce the capacity of our sewers, causing flooding and pollution, these unflushable items can contribute significantly to odour issues near our sites,” a spokesperson said.
It was reported earlier this month that Anglian Water will be fitting specialist smell-trapping covers to drains near the Park Inn on Bourges Boulevard in a bid to counter the worst effects of the Peterborough Pong.