Fats, oils and grease

Drain blocked with fat An increase in fat build-up in drains and sewers connected to restaurants and industrial outlets has led to a new initiative to reduce the damage caused by blockages.

Water UK, the association that represents water and sewerage companies, has launched a Best Practice Campaign to help catering establishments properly dispose of Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG).

Many sewerage blockages occur due to a build up of FOG that have been placed down the sink in catering establishments, such as restaurants, pubs and canteens, as well as homes and industrial outlets.

FOG - The risks

Sewer blocked by build up of fat Every outlet disposing of FOG into sinks and drains is at risk of experiencing damaging and costly drainage problems, not to mention business disruption.

The Water UK booklet, 'Disposal of fats, oils, grease and food waste: best management practice for catering outlets', shows how the risk can be minimised.

Click here to download the Best Practice guidance ( 515kb)

Water UK -Guidance on grease traps (16kb)

Click here to listen to our FOG audio guide with helpful hints, tips and advice.

Food waste macerators

Although macerators are an easy and convenient way to dispose of food or sanitary waste into drains and sewers, we discourage their use and the installation of food waste disposal units that discharge to public sewers.

Discharge of macerated waste to sewers increases the potential risk of sewer blockages, sewer flooding, environmental pollution, odours and rodent infestations.

For more information on the impact macerators can have on our sewers please visit Water UK's website and read their pdf.