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A NEW INITIATIVE from Clean Coasts and Irish Water is urging people to “think before you pour” this Christmas, as fats, oils and greases from Christmas turkeys can help to increase the risk of fatbergs developing in sewers if they’re poured down our sinks.
While these fats, oils and greases can seem like liquid when poured out, they cool along the pipes and can blockages in homes, businesses and the public sewer network, the groups said.
When they combine with wipes and other sanitary items that are flushed down toilets – but shouldn’t be – they can form fatbergs.
Irish Water said that thousands of fatbergs are cleared from the wastewater network each year.
A survey the company said was conducted by Behaviour and Attitudes on behalf of the “think before you pour” campaign suggested that 58% of people do pour the likes of turkey fat, gravy and other sauces down their sinks.
Irish Water’s Tom Cuddy said: “We have cleared almost 8,000 reported sewer blockages already this year caused by fats, oils and greases being poured down the kitchen sink combined with inappropriate items such as baby wipes being flushed down the toilet.
Our message is simple. This Christmas we want to remind the public not to use their kitchen sink as a bin. ‘Think before you pour’ and use a GunkPot or a similar container to collect FOGs and help to prevent pipe blockages and protect the marine environment.
These gunk pots can be used to collect cooled waste fats, oils and greases. When the items have hardened, they can then be put in the bin. Irish Water said it’s giving away gunk pots to the first 500 people who apply here.
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Who pours the makings of a perfect gravy down the drain???
@cybersecsteve: I never do. I don’t throw anything down the sink that would potentially block it, not even bacon water.
@cybersecsteve: crazy people do
@cybersecsteve: urban dwellers who don’t worry about their water supply and wastewater/sewage treatment because ‘I pay for it through my taxes’ so somebody else looks after it. Not rural dwellers who have to maintain these things at their own expense despite paying the same taxes.
@Peter99: What’s your take on the 3 billion cost of following you rural dwellers with broadband? Will you want to pay twice for that as well?
@Marie Prendergast: save that bacon water for the cabbage Marie!!
@cybersecsteve: it’s very surprising people have to be told this.
You don’t need to buy a gunk pot – line a bowl or other container with some kitchen paper, or used paper napkins, and pour the leftover gravy or grease onto it and once it solidifies you can chuck it in the compost bin (or general waste if you don’t have a compost bin).
@Kate Kelly: Or even better, place the solidified waste fat & food in the used foil or plastic food containers, & leave them out on the shed roof or semi covered bushes, etc., for the small birds.
Not on the ground anywhere though.
@William Kelly: Apparently that’s not a good idea! http://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/266511-big-fat-no-for-birds
@Ella Clarke: Ah crap – used to do that a lot as a kid – good to know
@Kate Kelly: I just don’t get when authorities give “don’t do this” guidance, they never seem to offer “do this instead” guidance. Your comment should be part of the article
How about not pouring raw poo into the sea
@Padraic O Sullivan: your heartfelt plea will fall on deaf ears. In fact, fish don’t even have ears, or social media.
@Padraic O Sullivan: fat bergs and baby wipes are a huge part of the reason our water treatment network is overloaded. So how about stop complaining and take good advice when you get it
@jl: jeez man, you’re so angry… Do you need a hug?
Clontarf Fatberg. Duffy.
just add some oats to it and when it solidifies you can hang it out for the birds.
@The next small thing: According to the RSPB, that can harm them, as much as it’s well intentioned http://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/266511-big-fat-no-for-birds
@Ella Clarke: It’s tantamount to cannabilism anyway.
If Irish water tell me to do something I will do the opposite. I will buy an extra turkey and put the grease down the sink. Vile organization of evil.
@JDB: are you 12?
@JDB: idiot, your taxes, (if you actually pay any) are literally going down the drain trying to fix these issues
We have a significant moron problem in this country. Seems to rear it’s ugly head at every IW article.
Evidenced by some of the comments here
Omg
Don’t tell me what to do!
A “word” I wish had never entered common parlance.
If Ireland has to speak English, let’s at least not make the language worse.
Burn it!!!!!
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