On Friday, June 26, BBC DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles appeared on Morning Live to warn UK households about the dangers of draining tinned tuna liquid down the sink. While the act may seem harmless, it can lead to severe consequences for kitchen drains and neighbourhood sewer systems.
What Are Fatbergs?
Fatbergs are large, solid clogs made up of fats, oils, and greases that mix with other materials, causing serious issues in sewer systems. They can lead to flooding in properties, raw sewage overflowing into rivers, harbour antibiotic-resistant superbugs, and cost millions of pounds for manual, high-pressure extraction.
Knowles explained: "Don't pour your oils down the sink. I mean, most people know not to pour oils down your sink in the bathroom or in your kitchen now. But actually, most of us will drain a tin of tuna into the sink. With the oil that's in a tin of tuna, or maybe the fat from an air fryer, or coffee grounds, all these things add to create a block."
How to Dispose of Oils and Fats Properly
To avoid plumbing clogs and fatbergs, keep oils and fats away from pipes. Small amounts of liquid can be soaked up with paper towels and thrown in the bin, poured into a sealed jar, or used directly for cooking. After cooking, let oil cool completely, then scrape it into a container like a baked bean tin and dispose of it in the bin.
Other items Knowles warned against pouring down drains include food grease, food scraps, and coffee grounds. He also issued a toilet warning: never put cotton buds, nappies, or wet wipes down the toilet. "Wet wipes in particular... All the governments, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are going to be stopping the use of plastics in wet wipes, which will actually be a major boon in terms of stopping that happening," he said.
Warning Signs of a Blockage
Knowles shared signs of a likely blockage in drains or sewer systems: slow draining, odours, gurgling noises, and pooling water by manholes. If you suspect a blockage, contact your water company immediately.
Size of Fatbergs
To illustrate the scale, Knowles noted: "In cities, you can go on tours and walk through the drains. A fatberg found near Terminal Five at Heathrow was the size of seven hundred suitcases, or the equivalent of five football pitches."
