Don’t get caught out by a sewer monster this Halloween

United Utilities is calling on people to help prevent blockages and fatbergs this Halloween.

As part of Unblocktober — a nationwide campaign to stop sewer blockages and protect the environment — the North West water and wastewater company is urging people to tackle the worst kind of sewer monsters: fatbergs.

Cooking fats, oils, and grease, along with leftover food scraps, can all create blockages in pipes, drains, and the network of underground sewers.

Fats and oils don’t simply disappear down the plughole; as fat hardens, it sticks to food scraps and other debris in the sewer, creating a blockage — or even a fatberg.

Blockages can also be caused by flushing the wrong things down the loo, including period products, wet wipes, cotton buds, disposable nappies, and dental floss.

Blockages are not only expensive to fix but can also lead to sewage flooding in homes and businesses.

Since April this year, United Utilities has cleared more than 14,000 blockages — over 60% of which could have been avoided with simple changes to household habits, such as only flushing the 3 Ps (Pee, Poo, and Paper) and disposing of cooled cooking fats, oils, and grease in the bin rather than down the kitchen sink.

In the same period, 2,100 tonnes of sewer litter have also been sent to landfill by the company, with wet wipes and period products making up more than 40% of this.

Andy Peet, Wastewater Network Protection Manager at United Utilities, said: “We don’t want anyone to experience the Halloween horror of a blocked drain in their home or business.

“We know that blockages in wastewater, or sewer, pipes can cause flooding in homes and gardens. And if the blockage is within a customer’s private drains, they may need the services of an emergency plumber to clear it.

“That’s why we’re encouraging people to only flush the 3 Ps — Pee, Poo, and Paper — and make sure cooled fats, oils, and grease are put in the bin so they don’t enter the sewer network.

“Most blockages are avoidable, and we can all make a big difference by following these simple steps every day.”

For more tips on how to Stop the Block, visit: www.unitedutilities.com/help-and-support/wastewater-services/stop-the-block/