The results are
in. After the inspection of the Merryton Bridge
Tommy Hogg,
Chair of Nairn River Community Council, told the Gurn that, as a result of
their inspections, Scottish Water reported that they will be working on
clearing fat and grit from the pipes running from the Maggot area down to the
Sewage works over the next few weeks.
How does the fat
get into the system? Well, the most
obvious way is down the kitchen sink with oil, fat and grease either being
poured directly down the drain, or indirectly from dishes and utensils or
dishwashers. According to Scottish Water,
fat accounts for 55% of sewer blockages, they have a short video here which shows a pipe blocked by fat.
Unfortunately, as well meaning as Scottish Water’s, Save Your Drains campaign
is in trying to educate the public to the problems and costs incurred by fat, realistically
is it going to stop the situation occurring again? Cleaning the system is a short term solution,
fat will build up over time and, unless there is a regular, ongoing maintenance programme
for clearing the pipes and drains, how long will it be before the proverbial
hits the pavements again?
Talking about
the proverbial, have a look here for a fascinating insight into the world of
human crap.
Oil, fat and grease from cooking, but what about soap? That's made up from animal and vegetable fats, how much of an impact does soap have?
ReplyDeleteSoaps residue Is a problem in the little 2 inch pipes we have connected to our washing machines. Big 6 inch sewers? Somehow I don't think that soap will have a huge effect.
DeleteI can't see it as simply being described in your belittling tone as "well meaning", but said in order to explain and help us in Nairn. If fats, oils and greases are flushed away down sinks, they will build up in pipes. I'd like to know how many businesses in Nairn have fat traps fitted and maintain them. Particularly with all the B&Bs, hotels and takeaways.
ReplyDeleteThis is not a scottish water thing. It happens in all sewers everywhere to varying degrees. People genuinely need to know they can't stick everything down a sewer and then forget about it and 100% blame someone else when it eventually goes wrong.
I'm with the soap theory too. Having taken apart waste pipes in our bathroom I can categorically say that soap must represent part of the problem.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that we're cooking more fatty food, probably quite the opposite, but could it be that over recent years we are washing more?
Whatever, I agree with Scottish Water that every care must be taken in disposing of cooking fat, but the reality is the drains are blocked and need cleaning ASAP
Anonymous @6.17am
ReplyDeleteThe comment ‘well meaning’ is not intended to be belittling, it is used to reflect that no matter now many campaigns, posters, and videos put out, sadly, a large proportion of people will take no notice and continue to pour stuff down the drains, this is a reflection on people – not the campaign. I understand that Scottish Water are going to hold an open day in Nairn to highlight the fat problem.
The blame game doesn't help anyone. It's beginning to look as if Scottish Water is saying local people are to blame (for putting fat, oil and grease down their drains), while local people are saying it's not our problem, it's Scottish Water's responsibility to clean up the resulting mess and blockages.
ReplyDeleteOpen days aren't the answer: people will just nod and do nothing. Why doesn't Scottish Water (or the planning authority) insist that inline fat traps are installed in the plumbing of all new builds; and then perhaps run a programme, just like the loft insulation scheme, to retro-fit traps into existing commercial, and then domestic, premises. After all, water authorities in the rest of the country are already running similar operations to fit water meters.
That way, the problem gets addressed at source, by prevention, which in the long term has to be cheaper than recurrent callouts to clear up the overflows and unblock the drains.
At last a sensible conclusion to an overblown issue. As this can't be the only sewer pipe in Scotland, the UK, or world which has blocked more than once.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it's a fact if life with all water companies worldwide. As they say afterall "s**t happens!".
as i can see scottish water are trying to help with working on the bridge but all they get is slated what about the poor guys who are there clearing up after people shove anything down the toilet
ReplyDeleteEh, let's not forget that a proportion of our Council Tax gets paid to Scottish Water. We're paying for this service. Part of the poor guys wages come out of our pockets.
ReplyDeleteAnd you think then that justifies these poor guys having to clean up? Anon @ 5:09 is right. There are scottish water guys doing a good job here. Give them a break please.
DeleteDouble checked charges. It turns out the council merely collects on behalf of scottish water. It turns out water charges are completely separate from council tax charges and not actually part if it.
ReplyDeleteEven if Highland Council are acting as a collecting agency it would seem that Scottish Water still get paid for providing a service which we pay for along with our Council Tax? Which means that we contribute as customers to Scottish Water employee's wages?
ReplyDeleteJust because we all pay water charges, we should give the staff who work on the front line a break. It doesn't give us all the right to slate scottish water when things go wrong.
ReplyDelete