Fight the fat this Christmas
and help fight the floods
The traditional Christmas roast, with all the trimmings, may be one of the highlights of the festive season – but it could also be a hidden cause of flooding. 
Pouring leftover fat, oil and grease down the drain is a major cause of sewer blockages in the county. Fat, oil and grease in liquid form may not appear to be a problem but, as it cools, it congeals and hardens. 
Even if hot soapy water is used, the fat will solidify on hitting the cold sewer walls and will collect other fat and debris. Over time this builds up; preventing the normal flow of waste water and debris from passing through. With no way through, the wastewater backs up in the system, coming out of drains, sewers and potentially into your home.
Cllr Stan Waddington, Cabinet member for environment, said, “Everyone can do their bit to help keep the drains clear and prevent flooding this Christmas by disposing of your cooking fat, oil and grease responsibly. No one wants to suffer the consequences of raw sewage flooding their gardens, driveways or, worse still, their homes.
“The only way to rid the sewers of these fat blockages is to use a high-pressure jet to loosen the fat and wash it away. Much of this jetting work could easily be avoided if people didn’t regard their kitchen sink as an extension of the dustbin.”
Millions of pounds of damage is caused at this time every year as blocked drains cause sewer flooding. More than 25% of sewer flooding is the direct result of fats, oils and grease being poured directly down kitchen sinks. According to Severn Trent there is a marked increase in cases over the festive period.
Gloucestershire County Council recommends the following methods to dispose of fat, oil and grease responsibly: 
· Put hot cooking fat in a suitable container and allow it to solidify. Put solid fat and grease in a container and place it in your general rubbish sack or bin. 
· If you have a separate collection of food waste from your local council, solid fat and grease (provided it is ‘loose’ and not within a container) can be included in the caddies and bins provided for the collection of your food waste.
· Take your used cooking oil in a suitable container to one of the County Council’s Household Recycling Centres. The cooking oil is recycled into biodiesel.
Find out more at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/fightthefog 
Severn Trent offers free disposable ‘fat traps’, which are available by calling 0845 603 4413 or visiting www.stwaters.co.uk/fattrap
Anyone who has a problem with sewer flooding should contact Severn Trent on 0800 783 4444. However if the sewer flooding is solely within customers’ own property they should contact a plumber for help.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Household Recycling Centres are located at:-
Hempsted HRC, Hempsted Lane, Hempsted, Gloucester, GL2 6HS
Wingmoor Farm HRC, Stoke Road, Stoke Orchard, Cheltenham, GL52 4RF
Pyke Quarry HRC, Horsley, Stroud, GL6 0QA
Fosse Cross HRC, Calmsden, Nr Cirencester, GL54 4NW
Oak Quarry HRC, Speech House Road, Broadwell, Coleford, GL16 7EG
Gloucestershire County Council’s fire and rescue vehicles run on biodiesel.