The Hidden Menace: Fatbergs
There’s a unique and unsuspecting menace that’s taking cities across the world by storm and they go by the name… fatbergs.
What is a fatberg and how do they form?
Fatbergs are large masses of solid waste that form in sewer systems when fats, oils, and grease (FOG) combine with non-biodegradable items such as wet wipes and sanitary products.
Fatbergs are becoming a common occurrence on shorelines as CSOs (combined sewer overflows) push them into our lakes, rivers, and oceans. They are not necessarily a new phenomenon, but they are becoming more prevalent for a few reasons including but not limited to:
As the population continues to grow, the aging infrastructure simply can’t handle it. Without the necessary upgrades, the system will continue to be overwhelmed, leading to CSOs on both wet and dry days.
Since the early 2000s, a rise in ‘flushable’ products has hit the market. Despite what this may imply, these products are not safe to flush and contribute to clogging up the sewer systems.
Famous fatbergs
These “demon snowballs” have made an international presence. Possibly the most famous of which was London’s Whitechapel fatberg, weighing 130 tonnes and stretching more than 250m. They even went as far as creating an exhibit at the Museum of London coined “Fatberg!”
A 300-tonne fatberg caused disruption to the day-to-day lives of Birmingham residents who had to live with 5 months of roadwork as a result of a blockage.
Why do they matter?
It may not seem like a big deal, and a lot of us don’t think twice after putting something down the drain or flushing the toilet. But the reality is that fatbergs are known for causing blockages that cause sewage backups, flooding, and environmental damage and they come at a cost. It is estimated that Canadian cities are spending around $250 million annually dealing with solid waste in sewers.
How to prevent fatbergs?
Proper disposal of FOG and non-biodegradable items can reduce the amount of waste that enters the sewer system; understanding what is flushable and what isn’t is a great start. It’s important to spread this knowledge and gain a clearer understanding of the sewage infrastructure and how that ties into the bigger picture when it comes to environmentalism.
The future of fatbergs
The prevalence of fatbergs has got scientists thinking, and some have begun digging into the potential of fatbergs being transformed into biofuel. This is not necessarily a new or novel idea, any fat can be turned into a biofuel, so why not fatbergs? In 2017, this was put to the test after the Whitechapel fatberg incident, a Scottish biodiesel company called Argent Energy took a piece that was successfully later turned into fuel that was used for one of London’s biggest bus operators.
More recently, a team of Canadian scientists have found what they believe to be a more efficient method. The 2018 study titled “Microwave-Enhanced Advanced Oxidation Treatment of Lipids and Food Wastes” highlights a process in which hydrogen peroxide is added to FOG that has been heated to between 90 to 110 °C. Ultimately, this process helps break down the FOG and releases fatty acids, at this point, bacteria are added to help break down the fatty acids. This process is on a much smaller scale, making it a possibility to be used in the sewer system; the goal is for this method to be used on a municipal level.
Learn more about fatbergs and CSOs
Researchers are finding 'fatbergs' floating on Toronto's waterfront
