Loo’ie back to deal with those elf’ing blockages!
11 December 2023 14:17
It’s that time of year when Loo’ie the Elf joins the NI Water wastewater team! This Christmas Loo’ie will be working alongside the team as they work hard to keep our sewer pipes free of blockages and festive fats, oil and grease (FOG).
Anna Killen from NI Water comments: “Having joined the Wastewater Team as a seasonal worker for the last number of years, Loo’ie has seen it all! He has witnessed a variety of items being flushed down the toilet and he will be watching very carefully and reporting back to Santa which areas have been naughty or nice to their loo and sink this year; that is whether or not they have been flushing wipes, cotton buds or pouring FOG down the sink. This year Loo’ie has brought in back up- in the form of the wet wipe monster!!
“What goes down must come out and those wipes won’t magically disappear, they can join forces with a festive fatberg and cause a blockage in the sewer. Should you be on Santa’s naughty list, this could end up spilling onto your street or worse, back up into your home!”
As FOG cools, it solidifies; this can then create blockages in the sewerage system, which often results in raw sewage flooding gardens and homes. The impact of this can be devastating for you and your neighbours and if you are a business, your profit margins!
Anna continues: “NI Water is appealing to the public to help us keep the drains clear over this festive period and all year round by not putting their FOG down the kitchen sink and to only flush the 3P’s pee, poo and paper. The wastewater drain which runs from each house is only a few inches wide and is only designed for human waste and toilet roll. Everyone has a role to play in keeping the drains clear and fat free this Christmas!”
To view the impact of FOG on our sewers visit: http://www.niwater.com/fats-oil-and-grease-fog/
ENDS
When checking your home is winterproof, why not take the time to check the age of your water supply pipes. For information about how you can find and deal with lead pipes please visit: www.niwater.com/lead-pipes
Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com