Beneath the streets of London, a monstrous problem is growing – and it’s not a festive spirit. A colossal fatberg, weighing in at 100 tonnes and stretching the length of a football field, has been discovered in the sewers of Whitechapel.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Just two months ago, another 100-tonne mass was painstakingly removed from Feltham, west London. Experts warn this latest accumulation could take weeks to clear, a daunting task as the holiday season approaches.
The sheer scale is staggering. Imagine eight double-decker buses, compacted into a single, greasy mass. This new blockage is even being called the “grandchild” of a legendary 130-tonne fatberg unearthed in the same area back in 2017 – a behemoth so large, a piece was displayed in the Museum of London.
The culprit? Our habits. Everyday kitchen waste – fats, oils, and grease – poured down drains, combined with non-biodegradable items like wet wipes, create these subterranean monsters. They don’t simply disappear; they congeal, harden, and wreak havoc.
The financial burden is immense. Thames Water spends an astonishing £18 million annually battling these blockages, removing billions of wet wipes. Ultimately, the cost of these cleanups is passed on to customers through higher bills.
The problem spikes during the festive season. December and January see a surge in blockages, costing the company £2.1 million over just two months. A recent survey revealed shocking statistics: over 40% admit to pouring meat juices down the sink, followed by gravy, animal fats, and even hummus.
The consequences extend beyond inconvenience. These blockages can lead to internal flooding in homes, pollute our sewers, and harm the environment. Simple changes in behavior can make a significant difference.
Experts urge everyone to scrape plates clean before washing, use drain strainers, and – crucially – avoid pouring any liquid fats down the sink. This Christmas, a little caution can prevent a monstrous problem from growing even larger.
