A fatberg described as the size of a blue whale – the largest animal known to have ever existed – has been removed from a major sewer beneath Oxford, in a complex two-week operation by Thames Water.
The 120-tonne mass, stretching over 1km (0.6 miles) and sitting 20 metres underground, was made up of congealed fat, oil and grease (FOG), and wet wipes. Due to high gas levels, the sewer’s depth, and the need to maintain wastewater flow to the city, it made the removal a significant engineering challenge.
Thames Water confirmed it has already dealt with more than 35,000 blockages this year and expects to hit 75,000 by year-end – costing the company around £18 million annually.
“The Oxford fatberg is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our sewers,” said Jamie Whitmore from Thames Water. “Flushing only the 3 Ps – pee, poo, and paper – is key, but so is responsible FOG management, especially in commercial kitchens.”
Commercial Kitchens: The Main Source of FOG Pollution
While household waste management is important, the main proportion of FOG entering sewers originates from restaurants, cafés, and food production facilities that fail to control grease waste. Once in the drainage network, this FOG waste cools, solidifies, and combines with other debris to form blockages; the cause of fatbergs.
GreaseShield – The Greases Management Solution
GreaseShield offers the catering industry a practical, proven defence against fats, oils and grease. Unlike traditional passive grease traps, GreaseShield operates continuously, removing FOG before it can enter the sewer system.
Key features include:
- Automatic grease removal: Removes the FOGs from waste water in real time.
- Built-in solids filtration: Prevents food waste from entering drains.
- Eliminates Blockages: Eliminates blockages that recur due to FOG build up
- Saves Costs: By removing the need for drain pumping
- Protects the Environment: Environmentally friendly and regulation-compliant.
By integrating GreaseShield into their operations, food businesses can:
- Avoid costly callouts for emergency drain clearance
- Prevent their kitchen waste from contributing to fatbergs
- Reduce environmental impact and sewer pollution
- Demonstrate compliance with local FOG management regulations
About GreaseShield
GreaseShield is an award-winning proactive grease recovery device designed for commercial kitchens of all sizes. Installed in thousands of sites worldwide, its patented system ensures compliance, reduces costs, and helps protect the environment by stopping FOG at the source.
