‘Monster’ fatberg longer than six double decker buses to be sucked to the surface

An operation to remove a giant fatberg from the sewers of a seaside town is set to begin today, in a procedure that could take eight weeks.

The 210ft ‘monster’ mass of fat, oil, wet wipes and rubbish was first discovered in the sewers of Sidmouth, Devon, as an ‘unwanted Christmas present’ in December 2018.

The fatberg, that is longer than six double decker buses, will be broken down manually with pick-axes and high-pressure jets before it is sucked to the surface, according to South West Water (SWW).

Teams tasked with clearing the mass will have to have wear breathing apparatus and body suits as the fatberg will release dangerous gases into the air when broken down.

SWW said cameras will not be able to film the removal as high levels of hydrogen sulphate and methane will make the air too unstable.

Once the fatberg has been broken down enough, it will be sucked up through a pipe into tankers on the surface.

The fat will then be taken to a processing plant to turn it into electricity.

Fatbergs build up when people flush items like nappies and wet wipes down the toilet.

SWW urged households to not ‘pour fats, oil or grease down the drain’ to help prevent more build-ups.

Andrew Roantree, SWW’S director of wastewater, said: “If you keep just one New Year’s resolution this year, let it be not to pour fats, oil, or grease down the drain, or flush wet wipes down the loo.

“The consequences can be significant, including sewer flooding in your own home.

“Put your pipes on a diet and don’t feed the fatberg.”