Leeds sewer blockages cause by fat and wet wipes

Yorkshire Water has urged Leeds residents to be mindful of what they flush away and pour down the sink after two sewer blockages in the city.

The incidents were caused by the incorrect disposal of fats and wet wipes into the sewage network.

Yorkshire Water’s key workers spent three-and-a-half hours removing a fat blockage (pictured) from Weetwood, while others removed a large number of wet wipes (pictured) from a Headingley sewer.

Mark Hammond, head of customer field services at Yorkshire Water, said: “These two recent incidents in Leeds demonstrate the impact disposing of items such as wet wipes, fats, oils and greases can have on the network.

“We only want people to flush the three Ps – pee, poo and (toilet) paper – and let any cooking fats cool before throwing them away in the bin rather than down the sink.

“Incorrect disposal of items can cause blockages in the network and can result in flooding in homes, neighbourhoods and the local environment.”

Once the blockages were cleared, sewer levels returned to normal, reducing the risk of sewage leaks.