Over the last two years over £5 million has been spent clearing blockages from the sewer system for which 70-80% are caused by Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) and inappropriate items, NI Water has revealed.

The firm also revealed it took workers five hours to clear at blockage in a manhole at Buttercrane Quay in Northern Ireland.

Jim McElrath, Wastewater Area Manager for the area, said: "FOG in its liquid form may not look harmful, but it becomes a major problem once in our drains. Even when hot water or soap is poured down the sink – the fat, oil and grease will still harden. Detergents and bleach may also appear to work, but this is only temporary. Each year, NI Water spends valuable resources fixing avoidable problems.

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"We would appeal to all our customers, especially food outlets, to dispose of their FOG appropriately. For householders, let it cool and then scrap it into the bin. Alternatively, pour it into a disposable container and take it to your local oil bank.

"Businesses also risk blocking their own drainage systems, which results in extra costs being incurred in clean-up efforts. These fat blockages can not only result in out of sewer flooding, but odour problems and the risk of rat infestations both near and beyond your premises. Ways to dispose of FOG include fitting a grease trap, using an enzyme dosing system or recycling it."

(CD/MH)