Disposing of waste food down sinks or food waste disposal systems can cause more problems than it solves.
This is the message from South West Water who have condemned food waste disposal systems as no more than “fly tipping”.
They also say that disposing of food waste in this way is “irresponsible”. This is what was put in a letter to councils in its area.
South West Water are encouraging councils not to dispose of macerated food waste down drains, as in the long run, this could lead to blockages which will lead to pollution and flooding.
South West Water also pointed out that much of the £1.5 million spent each year to prevent and unblock sewers is used to remove consolidated fat, grease, oil and other food waste.
Their concerns were further raised after reading a report on the Environmental Impact Study of Food Waste Disposers for the County Surveyors Society.
South West Water said that this report carried dubious claims about free flowing food waste particles. Also, field research and other studies, were not applicable to the United Kingdom.
Mr John Perriam, South West Water sewerage management strategist said that “The County Surveyors Society report dismisses the water industry’s view out of hand. Greater consultations with the industry should have been conducted. The author (of the report) should have contacted individual companies, he has not really looked at anything in the United Kingdom, and he mostly looked at examples from other countries.”
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