Fats, oils and greases (FOG) are never out of the news for long, with fatbergs making the headlines every few months. Our clients across the world report problems; Queensland Urban Utilities in Australia recently stated that they spend $1.5 million a year clearing over 4000 blockages from its network, many of which are caused by FOG. Within the UK, it is estimated that blockages caused by FOG cost the water industry over \u00a380 million a year. Despite water utilities innovating in their approach to education, FOG is still being disposed of down the sewer. Channel 4\u2019s Fatberg Autopsy back in April highlighted this, and gave a fascinating insight into the cause and contents of the one of London\u2019s largest fatbergs, discovered by Thames Water in the east end of the city.<\/p>\n
There is a need for a longer term strategic approach to tackle this problem, and together with Abertay University, Isle completed research for UKWIR on how the UK Water Industry currently approaches the control of FOG, what they can do to improve this, and how they can create opportunities around the collection of FOG. In June, Isle\u2019s Head of Wastewater consulting in the UK, Karyn Georges, gave a presentation at the project\u2019s dissemination workshop. She told the audience how through research and interviews with utilities across the globe, the team was able to gather a wealth of information on different regulatory, enforcement and educational approaches to FOG control. Opportunities in FOG collection and the existing and emerging technologies available were discussed, with steps that the water industry should take highlighted. The key findings of the research included:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Approaches to regulating discharges of FOG to sewer varied across the globe<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Working with stakeholders such as local councils to enable them to provide information to food service establishments on grease management is important<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Providing consistent and continual education helps drive behavioural change<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Technologies for the collection of FOG from sewers and works inlets should be trialled to determine the business case for developing this area further<\/p>\n