Overview
- Plumbing experts caution that gravy, leftover meat fat, cream liqueurs such as Baileys, mulled wine, coffee grounds, and starchy or dairy leftovers can solidify or clump in pipes and trigger blockages.
- United Utilities says it stopped nearly 1,500 tonnes of fats, oils and grease from entering North West drains over the past year, including more than 220 tonnes in Lancashire, and it spends about £10m annually clearing blocked pipes.
- South West Water reports clearing more than 7,000 blockages in the past year, with roughly three-quarters linked to wet wipes and FOGs, and its ECAS partnership kept over one million litres of FOG out of sewers during Unblocktober.
- Field teams in Blackburn demonstrated the issue by clearing backyard drains clogged with congealed waste and urged residents to cool scraps, scrape pans, and bin fats rather than rinsing them away.
- Households are advised to let fats cool and dispose of them in the bin, use strainers or compost for scraps, run hot water with soap if a spill occurs, avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners, and expect pricier, harder-to-book emergency callouts after Christmas as demand spikes.