Thames Water removes 100-tonne fatberg from west London sewer
7 hours ago
- #waste-management
- #infrastructure
- #environment
- A 100-tonne fatberg was removed from under west London streets, equivalent to eight double-decker buses in mass.
- The fatberg was mainly composed of wet wipes, fat, oil, and grease, causing severe blockages in the sewer system.
- Thames Water highlighted the cleanup to raise awareness about improper waste disposal affecting waterways and the environment.
- Thames Water's creditors requested leniency from pollution rules due to the extensive upgrades needed after years of neglect.
- Fatbergs form from non-biodegradable items and fats, leading to potential flooding and pollution if not addressed.
- Specialist engineers used picks, shovels, and high-pressure hoses to clear the 125-meter blockage in Feltham.
- Thames Water spends £18 million annually clearing blockages, including billions of wet wipes and other materials.
- The UK government plans to ban plastic-containing wet wipes, but many still improperly dispose of fats and oils.