WRc to study FOG solutions

The new consortium of UK water companies, Research-Foresight Partnership, commissioned the UK consultancy WRc to address the problem of fats, oils and greases (FOG) in sewerage systems in a £500 000 project. Partnership members include Anglian Water, Essex Water, Severn Trent Water, Thames Water, United Utilities and Yorkshire Water.

Fats, oils and greases cost the water industry up to £20 million each year in sewer inefficiencies and sewer cleaning costs. FOG disposal poses a significant problem to the public at large.

The project will look at all possible solutions to the problem of FOG including reuse and recycling before the substances reach the sewer and alternative disposal, which includes sociological solutions that affect current public thinking. "People's habits are linked to changes in legislation as well as the provision of alternatives, such as recycling, which needs to become a much easier option than it currently is,” commented Kim Littlewood, head of WRc sewer operations. “In the light of the recent petrol controversy we are looking particularly at energy recovery and use of FOG as a fuel e.g. biodiesel. We need to consider FOG as a resource rather than a problem,” Kim added.

One aspect of the project is to examine and test a number of solutions to FOG, which range from consumer devices such as sink top fat collectors and wet well washers to the use of enzymes. The WRc study will reach out to manufacturers and entrepreneurs that have developed products that deal with FOG.