The discovery of a monster fatberg, lurking in the depths of Sidmouth, has hit global headlines.
Experts have blamed East Devon residents for a colossal build up of unflushable waste which has congealed into a ‘fatberg.’
And water provider South West Water itself has also told locals to ‘stop feeding the fatberg.’
Work to clear out the blocked sewer, near a children’s playground, will begin on Monday, February 4.
The terrifying blob has made headlines as far as Australia and the United States, with commentators stunned by its size and the environmental implications.
South West Water’s director of wastewater, Andrew Roantree said: “It shows how this key environmental issue is not just facing the UK’s cities, but right here in our coastal towns.
“It is the largest discovered in our service history and will take our sewer team around eight weeks to dissect this monster in exceptionally challenging work conditions.”
He added: “If you keep just one new year’s resolution this year, let it be not to pour fats, oil, or grease down the drain, or flush wet wipes down the loo. The consequences can be significant, including sewer flooding in your own home.
“Put your pipes on a diet and don’t feed the fatberg.”
What IS a fatberg?
Lurking in the sewers of towns and cities are huge congealed lumps that double as a huge environmental warning siren.
They are created like a big, smelly snowball.
It’s partly the result of the Victorian sewerage system failing to cope with modern wet wipes and condoms.
And the gunk is then moulded and hardened as a result of homes and businesses pouring fats, oil and grease down drains.
The impact of it can lead to flooding, as heavy rainfall or seawater is left with nowhere to go but roads, homes and businesses.
It can be put to good use however. Fatbergs have recently been ‘recycled’ as a source of biogas.
