October 2024 Vol. 79 No. 10
Features
How to reduce fatbergs in sewer systems
(UI) — Fatbergs, a true enemy of urban plumbing, are monstrous masses consisting primarily of non-flushable household and personal items found in the underbelly of urban sewer systems.
These elements combine to create a solid, concrete-like mass that can grow over the course of years to dangerous proportions, obstructing pipes and leading to substantial sewage overflows.
These pose a major public health risk, along with the potential destruction of sewer infrastructure. Vactor is committed to helping protect the cities and keeping the public safe by creating an educational guide on how to reduce fatbergs in sewer systems.
Three of those necessary ways are listed below.
Regular sewer maintenance. Since fatbergs can quietly grow to monumental proportions, utility crews must patrol and inspect sewer lines. If a fatberg is found, specialized machinery, such as high-pressure water jets, can be used to break them apart.
City regulations. City regulations also play an important part. By enforcing the sizing and maintenance of grease traps, especially in high-output establishments like restaurants, municipalities can curtail the flow of fats, oils and grease into the sewage system, weakening the foundations upon which fatbergs heave themselves.
Public awareness campaigns. Regular maintenance of fatbergs includes educational initiatives to enlighten the public about the consequences of improper waste disposal. The more the public is aware of which household and personal items wreak havoc on sewage systems, the lower the risk of fatbergs becoming so dangerously large that they pose a serious risk on public health and severe damage to sewer infrastructure.
A combination of education, regulations and infrastructure maintenance is the key to protecting the environment, public health and keeping sewers flowing freely. Vactor’s comprehensive guide includes even more information on the consequences of fatbergs in sewer systems and a list of the specific items that contribute to the growth of these formidable obstructions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Vactor, (815) 672-3171, vactor.com
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