Fatberg and black bins block manholes in Belfast

by Gráinne Connolly

People are being urged to dispose of their fat, oil and grease (FOG) properly after a massive fatberg was found in West Belfast. 

NI Water attended to a major blockage on the Shankill Road yesterday when they discovered it. 

It's understood the FOG was so thick it had risen to the top of the manhole cover, after it built up from local homes and businesses pouring fat into the sewers rather than using grease traps and binning it. 

Stephanie McCullagh, Head of Wastewater explains, “While most homes and businesses use grease traps and bin their waste correctly, those that don’t, contributed to a massive fatberg in the sewers around the area.  

“We would appeal to all our customers, especially food outlets, to dispose of their FOG appropriately. For householders, let it cool and then put it into the bin.

"Alternatively, pour it into a disposable container and take it to your local oil bank.

“Businesses also risk blocking their own drainage systems, which results in extra costs being incurred in clean-up efforts.

"These fat blockages can not only result in out of sewer flooding, but odour problems and the risk of rat infestations both near and beyond your premises. Ways to dispose of FOG include fitting a grease trap, using an enzyme dosing system or recycling it.  

“As this incident shows, blockages and out of sewer flooding are extremely unpleasant and affects the whole community.

“We have all seen the disgusting effects of an overflowing manhole in the street and no one wants to see or smell it (not even us!) but the reality is, it happens regularly at a cost of millions to NI Water each year. 

“We all have the power to stop it. In the last ten years, NI Water has spent over £1.5 billion investing in water and wastewater infrastructure but no amount of investment will completely stop blocked pipes if people continue  to flush wipes (including flushable), sanitary items and cotton buds down the toilet.”

Meanwhile in North Belfast, NI Water has also unblocked numerous sewers which have been found blocked with black bags. 

It's understood they were filled with rubbish and dumped down a manhole. 

Commenting on the incident, Mrs McCullagh says it shows a "lack of respect" for NI Water and people living in the area: 

 “This act shows not only lack of respect for our network but also for the people living in the area. We would remind all our customers that opening a manhole and putting anything down it is forbidden.

"By doing this, you are obstructing a working sewer which is designed to take waste away from homes.

"Incidents like this cause out of sewer flooding and require valuable time and resources to resolve"