Consumer information is key to prevent wipe blockages: PRESENTATION ONLY
Lagemaat, M., EDANA, Belgium
(free)
Dealing with unflushables is one of the largest reactive operational costs for sewer system and pumping station operators. Sewer blockages cost the UK water industry £100 million per year.
While many items are inappropriately flushed, two major issues for the sewer system are fats, oils and grease (FOG) and wipes. These problems have been getting steadily worse over the last 20 years but it’s not all bad news – the industry is now fighting back.
Water and sewerage companies (WaSCs) are now becoming more engaged with food service establishments to help them better manage the food waste and FOG issues. Although it’s early days, the signs are encouraging.
Wipes, often the greater problem, are particularly difficult to tackle. Two approaches are being used, one involves working with manufacturers to make sure that sewage contaminated products are made of materials that disintegrate and don’t cause any issues in sewer systems, pumping stations or treatment works. Recently a Water Industry Specification has been produced that details tests that wipes marketed as flushable should pass. The other approach involves customer engagement, to make people aware of the problems caused by flushing, to persuade disposal of non-sewage contaminated products via the bin.
