NI Water supports Water UK’s new ‘fats block pipes’ campaign

22 December 2023 16:55

NI Water is delighted to support Water UK’s new ‘fat blocks pipes’ campaign which is launching over the Christmas period. Water UK is urging the public to dispose of cooking fats, oils and greases responsibly to avoid blocked pipes, property damage and harm to the environment.

• New research shows that 27% of UK adults dispose of their fats down the sink, 22% down the drain and 11% down the loo.
• The good news is that 80% of UK adults say they knew of at least one way to dispose of fats, oils and greases suitably.
• On average, 68% of UK adults are aware of each of the harms and damages* disposing of fats, oils and greases down the sink, drain or loo can do.

 

Nobody wants to be on the naughty list this year and NI Water want to help spread the message- do not pour fat, oil or grease down the sink this Christmas. This new campaign comes as research shows that more than a quarter (27%) of UK adults admit to pouring cooking fats and oils down the sink. More than a fifth (22%) put it down the drain while more than 1 in 10 (11%) flush it down the loo!

 

It can seem like an easy way to dispose of your unwanted liquids but the problem is that fats, oils and greases poured down the sink or drain harden in cold pipes. They combine with wet wipes and other unflushable items to create ‘fatbergs’ which block sewer pipes, leading to sewage flooding homes and streets, and pollution in our waterways. They can also block pipes in homes potentially leading to costly repair bills.

 

Sewer blockages cost the UK up to £200 million each year, and more than 3,000 homes are flooded because of them.

 

NI Water Environmental Outreach and Learning Officer, Anna Killen said:

“We are keen to help Water UK push the message that fat, oil and grease can cause major problems to the sewerage system. When they are disposed of down kitchen sinks or drains they can cause blockages which have the potential for pollution in streams and rivers.”

Top tips on how to responsibly dispose of fats, oils and grease include:

 

• Allow them to cool and wipe away with kitchen towel and place in the bin.
• Cooled oils can be poured into a heatproof container, then placed in the bin.
• Pour into a pot and use again to cook another meal.
• Use a sink strainer to catch greasy food scraps.

 

William Davies, Communications Director, Water UK said:

 

“We all love our Christmas dinner but cooking up that delicious festive feast leaves behind a trail of leftover fat, oil and grease.

 

“Amid the yuletide cheer the last thing we want to think about is what should happen to this gloopy mess. But disposing of it down the sink or drain can cause real problems in our sewers, harm wildlife and block the pipes in our homes as well.

 

“This festive season why not do your bit to protect your ho, ho home by putting any fats, oils and greases in the bin and not down the sink.”

 

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

For further information contact Press.office@niwater.com

 

For further information contact Water UK 020 7344 1805 or email comms@water.org.uk

 

 

Fats Block Pipes campaign:

• Find out more about our Fats, Oils and Greases here Fats Block Pipes

 

Survey:

• Savanta surveyed 2,295 UK adults online between 9th and 10th of December 2023. Data was weighted to be nationally representative of all UK adults by age, gender region and social grade.
• *In this survey we asked about the awareness of harms and damage that pouring cooking fats, oils or grease down the sink, toilet or drain can cause. The following options were included: harm to the environment, harm to land animals, harm to marine life (sea and river animals), blocked and burst pipes in your home, flooding in your home, and fatbergs which block sewers and can trigger sewage spills.