A sturdy transfer in the direction of preventative, source-control options to stop pollution from coming into the wastewater system in England and Wales was a key advice of the Unbiased Water Fee (IWC), which unveiled its Ultimate Report on 21 July. This means a basic shift in the direction of a extra holistic and preventative strategy to environmental administration inside the water sector and the newest analysis from UK Water Business Analysis (UKWIR) presents a tangible pathway ahead for one of many sector’s largest points.
The analysis mission FOG charging – ought to foodservice wastewater fees replicate FOG content material? is now obtainable on UKWIR’s web site and instantly addresses a persistent problem to wastewater infrastructure resilience. It investigates whether or not wastewater fees for foodservice companies ought to extra precisely replicate the fats, oil, and grease (FOG) content material of their discharges.
It explores the viability of a FOG-based charging system, aiming to incentivise improved FOG administration practices at supply, cut back expensive sewer blockages, and create a extra equitable monetary burden for sustaining important wastewater infrastructure.
A fatty difficulty
FOG accumulation is a main contributor to sewer blockages, necessitating in depth and costly clean-up operations, rising the danger of environmental air pollution, and doubtlessly resulting in property flooding.
In response to trade physique Water UK, FOG contributes to hundreds of sewer blockages every year, which prices the UK practically £200 million a yr to clear. The first supply is industrial and residential kitchens, with round 70% of sewer blockages attributable to FOG from meals service institutions (FSEs).
Regardless of current laws requiring companies to stop waste from blocking the sewer community, a staggering 69% of FSEs presently haven’t any FOG administration system in place. As well as, over a fifth of those companies are unaware of FOG remediation methods.
“This isn’t nearly compliance; it’s about empowering companies to mitigate expensive operational disruptions, defend their model status, and contribute to a more healthy water setting,” explains Alison Edwards, drainage and wastewater supervisor at Welsh Water, who was UKWIR’s co-programme lead on the project- alongside Nick Mills, director of innovation and setting at Southern Water.
“This analysis is vital to highlighting the FOG difficulty. It may be utilized by water firms to make sure companies take motion to cease FOG moving into the sewers; subsequently, resolving the basis reason behind blockages with incentivisation.”
Seasonal pressure
Seasonal fluctuations in FOG discharges place appreciable stress on the UK’s wastewater networks. Throughout the summer time, elevated exercise in vacationer locations and FSEs can result in a surge in FOG coming into the sewerage system.
Whereas hotter temperatures can initially hold FOG in a extra liquid state, permitting it to journey additional by the community, the issue intensifies as temperatures drop in winter. Colder circumstances speed up FOG solidification, contributing to the formation of extra strong and widespread blockages.
Information persistently signifies a rise in blockage incidents and related remediation prices throughout these intervals, highlighting the tangible seasonal impression on community efficiency.
FOG charging
Beneath Part 111 of the Water Business Act 1991, companies are required by legislation to verify their waste doesn’t block or injury the sewer community. By extra precisely attributing prices to these answerable for FOG discharges, UKWIR argues it encourages fairer price restoration for water firms grappling with substantial operational expenditures linked to FOG-related blockages and environmental compliance incidents.
“By exploring FOG-specific fees, UKWIR goals to determine a framework that helps companies streamline their FOG administration, finally contributing to a extra sustainable and cost-effective operation,” added Edwards.
For the complete report and extra detailed findings, please go to https://ukwir.org/3e338c29-478f-4366-ae39-5a18fb599253?object=e798fafe-adff-4b68-b353-0bc4e4392b06
