Yorkshire Water expands successful sewage blockage buster project

Innovative Bio-Block® technology will be rolled out at 15 new sites following a successful trial to stop blockages caused by fats, oils and grease (FOG).

Since the dosing blocks were installed in the centre of York, blockages caused by fats in that area of the city have reduced significantly, whilst pollution incidents, caused by FOG blocking the network in the river Ouse, have been completely eradicated.

Yorkshire Water’s network protection and customer field services teams are keen to continue their work with specialist provider, Cobra Hydro UK Ltd and install more ‘Micro POP Bio-Blocks’ at 15 recognised fat, oils and grease (FOG) blockage hotspots across the sewer network.

The dosing blocks are environmentally friendly and slowly dissolve in the sewer, releasing microbes and enzymes that help to break down fats, reducing the likelihood of blockages and helping to prevent pollution incidents. 

The Bio-Blocks® are replaced every three months to ensure continuous, and effective enzyme treatment. Taking this proactive course of enzyme dosing, has significantly reduced the fat build-up, travelling through the sewer network. 

In a two-pronged approach, the network protection team are contacting Food Service Establishments (FSE), to advise them how to reduce and avoid blockages caused by fats, oils and greases (FOG).  This activity will be followed up with the customer field services team and Cobra to install the bio-block technology at 15 new sites across the wastewater network including Beverley, Haxby, Boroughbridge, Thirsk and Castleford.

Nathan Canavan, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said:  “We are hoping that the success of the dosing blocks trial in York can be replicated in other places that have been prone to blockages caused by fats, oils and grease.

“As well as installing Bio Pop dosing blocks, our network protection team will be engaging with all food serving establishments in the areas we’ve identified, to raise awareness of the importance of correct grease management. 

“This includes advice on preventative measures such as fitting grease traps and working with licenced waste contractors to safely dispose of FOG.  This will help to reduce the amount of fats, oils and greases entering the sewers in the first place and help to further reduce incidents of blockages in the network.” 

Blockages from FOG, sometimes known as fatbergs, occur when hot, liquid fats, oils and greases, cool down and then turn solid in wastewater pipes. Even when its washed down with boiling water or washing detergent, the liquid can solidify and congeal, once cooled, and can cause enormous blockages, or fatbergs, which can also spill outwards and pollute rivers and waterways.

Clint Jackson, business development director at Cobra Hydro UK Ltd, said: “Since we began this project working with Yorkshire Water, we have provided a cost-effective solution to reduce the fat, oils and grease build up, which has proven to be a huge success within the sewers under the centre of York.

“We’re extremely pleased that our enzyme Bio-Blocks® have had the desired results and we are looking forward to seeing the success of this safe, innovative and environmentally-friendly technology be duplicated at other FOG-prone sites across the Yorkshire region."