Food business outreach helps prevent thousands of fatbergs

• Thames Water’s network protection team conducted over 19,000 visits to restaurants and food businesses in the past year 

• More than 2,500 restaurants and food businesses have installed ‘fat traps’ following Thames Water’s outreach efforts  

• Fats, oils and grease (FOG) cause more than 20,000 sewer blockages annually, with businesses a major contributor, costing around £40m a year to clear.

More than 2,500 restaurants and food businesses across London and the Thames Valley have installed grease management equipment commonly known as fat traps in the past year following Thames Water’s work to prevent fatbergs and protect the sewer network and rivers.  

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) poured down sinks can cool, harden and stick to the inside of pipes. Over time, these materials build up and form large blockages known as fatbergs, which can cause sewer flooding, damage pipes and harm the environment. 

Under the Water Industry Act 1991, it is a criminal offence to put substances such as fats, oils and grease into a sewer if they could cause blockages, damage the sewer network, or interfere with wastewater treatment. 

FOG is responsible for more than 20,000 sewer blockages across the region each year, costing around £40 million annually to address and contributing to more than 60% of sewer flooding incidents.  

To tackle the issues, Thames Water’s Network Protection Team works directly with food businesses to educate them on the correct disposal of FOG and help them reduce their impact on the sewer network.  

In the past year, the team carried out more than 19,000 visits to food businesses across London and the Thames Valley. Through education, guidance and support, the programme has helped facilitate the installation of more than 2,500 fat traps, helping prevent blockages before they occur. 

Fat traps are typically stainless-steel units installed in commercial kitchens and food service areas to capture fats, oils and grease before they enter drains. Food businesses are required to ensure they have effective grease management measures in place. Simply installing a basic fat trap is not enough if it does not ensure compliance and adequately prevent fats, oils and grease from entering the sewer network. 

The team’'s first approach is always to educate and support businesses, helping them understand their responsibilities and recommending appropriate grease management equipment. In many cases, repeat visits are carried out to ensure equipment is installed and maintained correctly. Where there is persistent non-compliance, Thames Water will consider legal and enforcement action to protect the sewer network. 

In the past five years, Thames Water has successfully prosecuted three businesses for offences relating to improper trade effluent disposal and sewer misuse, resulting in fines and costs totalling over £50,000.  

Tessa Fayers, Director of Waste and Bioresources said:  

"Fats, oils and grease are one of the biggest causes of sewer blockages across our region, yet they're also one of the most preventable. Every year, thousands of blockages are caused by FOG entering the sewer network, putting homes, businesses and the environment at risk. 

"Our Network Protection teams work closely with food businesses to provide advice, guidance and practical support to help them manage grease responsibly and meet their obligations. The vast majority of businesses want to do the right thing, and we are pleased to see thousands installing grease management equipment as a result of this engagement. 

"However, where businesses repeatedly ignore advice and fail to take action, we will not hesitate to pursue enforcement action. Protecting our sewer network and preventing pollution is essential, and we expect all food businesses to play their part."  

While many businesses install and maintain grease management equipment correctly, Thames Water Network Protection teams have encountered cases where equipment has been deliberately bypassed to avoid maintenance costs. 

In one case, a takeaway business cut away part of a fat trap and fed a pipe directly through the unit so that it appeared compliant from the outside, while allowing fats, oils and grease to flow into the sewer network unhindered. 

To help ensure compliance, Thames Water's Network Protection teams regularly carry out return visits to businesses to check that grease management equipment is being properly maintained and operated.