Don’t feed the fatbergs this winter

As the weather cools and hearty winter meals return to the menu, Western Bay of Plenty District Council is reminding people that what goes down the sink can have costly consequences.

Households are urged to take extra care in the kitchen and keep fats, oils and grease out of sinks and drains, to help prevent ‘fatbergs’.

Fatbergs are large blockages that form when cooking fats harden in pipes and combine with other debris, such as wet wipes, paper towels and other items that end up in the wastewater system after being flushed down the toilet.

Over the past year, wastewater overflows have cost Council more than $38,000.

"Winter is when we tend to cook more comfort food, but it's also when fats and oils harden faster inside pipes, creating stubborn blockages that can lead to wastewater overflows," says Brad Singh, Western Bay of Plenty District Council General Manager Infrastructure.

“Fats, oils and grease should never be poured down the sink. Even small amounts can build up over time as they cool and stick to pipe walls.”

And, it’s not just what goes down the sink – what’s flushed down the toilet also plays a big role, with wet wipes being a major contributor to pipe blockages, he adds.

“Despite what the packaging says, so-called 'flushable' wipes don't break down like toilet paper. They can combine with fats and other debris in the wastewater network, helping fatbergs grow."

These overflows are messy, expensive to clean up and can impact both our communities and the environment, but the good news is they're largely preventable, says Brad.

Council is reminding people to:

• Let fats, oils and grease cool, then scrape or pour them into a container before putting them in the rubbish.
• Scrape food scraps into the bin before washing dishes.
• Wipe greasy pots and pans with a paper towel before washing them.
• Only flush the three Ps: pee, poo and toilet paper.

“This winter, enjoy your comfort food – just don't feed the fatbergs,” says Brad.