A fatberg the size of a blue whale has been successfully removed from a major trunk sewer in Oxford in the UK, following a complex two-week operation by Thames Water.
Weighing in at 120 tonnes and stretching more than a kilometre underground, the congealed mass of fat, oil, grease and wet wipes was lodged 20 metres below ground, posing significant challenges to the teams involved.
The clearance required specialist planning due to high gas levels caused by the fatberg and the need to keep Oxford’s wastewater flowing throughout. Crews secured permits, safely vented gases and worked during a period of dry weather to minimise risks, with safety remaining the top priority at every stage.
Thames Water clears an average of 75,000 blockages a year across its sewer network, at a cost of £18 million. Many of these are avoidable. The company says 60% of sewer flooding is linked to misuse, often caused by wet wipes or fats wrongly flushed or poured down drains.
So far this year, Thames Water has dealt with more than 35,000 blockages, including 23,556 linked to wet wipes, 11,104 caused by fats, oils and grease, and over 500 involving third-party materials such as concrete.
Senior Project Manager Jamie Whitmore praised the “dedication, expertise and teamwork” of staff who completed the Oxford clearance, describing it as “a powerful reminder” of why only the three Ps – pee, poo and paper – should be flushed.
The company continues to urge customers to “Bin it, Don’t Block it” to help keep sewers flowing and prevent pollution.
Giant 120-tonne fatberg cleared from Oxford sewer
