Please see below a response sent yesterday to Water Utilities Raising the profile of sewer blockages caused by. Wet wipes. This invariably has a...

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Please see below a response sent yesterday to Water Utilities Raising the profile of sewer blockages caused by. Wet wipes. This invariably has an impact on River quality as blockages, even partial blockages result in the premature release of concentrated effluent to rivers and watercourses.
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Why when explaining to people “What is a Fatberg” does the explanation describe its content but it’s root cause always omitted.
Fatbergs do not exist in fast flowing sewers. They don’t even exist in sewers with significantly variable flow conditions, specifically where the height of flow changes from low flow to high flow or surcharge conditions regularly. These pipes or major sewers might on occasions be effected if a upstream Fatberg or part of it is dislodged.
However, the home of the Fatberg is low slow flow with static flow conditions and conditions here can occur anywhere in a catchment not just in smaller pipes towards the head of the run.
Water Utilities know or certainly should know, exactly where these sewer sections exist within their catchments. They should be able to identify why these problems occur, i.e. inadequate gradients, bellies, backwater effects caused by downstream fliow within larger receiving sewer. Or due to obstructions result from pipe defects, poor design, or poorly fitted glue controls.
The surprise is that little or no investment is made into providing artificial assistance to change these conditions and prevent Fatbergs from occurring. Me minimal preventative maintenance adds further to this problem. Automated solutions are available with Flusher2 being one low cost retrofit example, yet the technology continues to be ignored?

Unblocktober understandably is used to focus minds and raise awareness which should be applauded by all. However it needs to be unbiased and address all problems that relate to the formation of blockages. FOG and poor disposal of unflushables will continue to exist despite everyone’s best efforts. Hopefully at best it will improve over time.
By trying to place the blame on one group and not acknowledging the responsibility of others, the problem remains. It’s time to have a grown up discussion. To set aside commercial prejudices and resolve these issues permanently. If we all sang from the same hymn sheet, then Fatbergs and blockages could be virtually eradicated in all but the rarest of circumstances.

David Pitt What is a Fatberg” why does the explanation describe its content but it’s root cause always omitted.
Fatbergs don’t exist in fast flowing sewers. They don’t even exist in sewers with significantly variable flow conditions, specifically where the height of flow changes from low flow to high flow or surcharge conditions. These pipes or major sewers might on occasions be effected if a Fatberg or part of it is dislodged.
However, the home of the Fatberg is low slow flow with static flow conditions.
Water Utilities know or certainly should know, where these sewer sections exist within their catchments. They should be able to identify why these problems occur, i.e. inadequate gradients, bellies, backwater effects caused by downstream fliow within larger receiving sewer. Or due to obstructions result from pipe defects, poor design, or poorly fitted glue controls.
The surprise is that little or no investment is made into providing artificial assistance to change these conditions and prevent Fatbergs from occurring. Me minimal preventative maintenance adds further to this problem. Automated solutions are available with Flusher2 being one low cost retrofit example, yet the technology continues to be ignored?

Unblocktober understandably is used to focus minds and raise awareness which should be applauded by all. However it needs to be unbiased and address all problems that relate to the formation of blockages. FOG and poor disposal of unflushables will continue to exist despite everyone’s best efforts. Hopefully at best it will improve over time.
By trying to place the blame on one group and not acknowledging the responsibility of others, the problem remains. It’s time to have a grown up discussion. To set aside commercial prejudices and resolve these issues permanently. If we all sang from the same hymn sheet, then Fatbergs and blockages could be virtually eradicated in all but the rarest of circumstances.

David Pitt

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