Steve Martin of water, energy and maintenance solutions provider NCH Europe weighs up two alternative solutions to a knotty (well, fatty) wastewater problem
A West-Midlands restaurant was fined £5,495 in October 2016 because it had caused a blockage in the sewers by continuously pouring fat down the drain, which had a knock-on effect to many near-by businesses. This case represents a growing problem in the hospitality, food processing and retail sectors, but it is one that can be easily prevented.
The problem
Companies may feel that once wastewater is down their drains, it’s no longer their problem. However, as the burden on local authorities caused by mounting blockages and problematic gas build-up in our sewers is growing, this is no longer so straightforward.
Industrial companies have always had to hold licences and pay Mogden charges for the disposal of effluent, and they are seeing the associated regulations tighten as local authorities look to businesses to take more responsibility for their own wastewater.
Smaller businesses, on the other hand, do not pay these Mogden charges. Nevertheless they have a moral obligation to ensure they are not contributing to fat-associated blockages. The fined West-Midlands restaurant is a prime exemplar: Both small and large-scale premises need to find a longer-term answer to treating their wastewater on-site.
Bacteria treatment
Before explaining the benefits of live bacteria wastewater treatment products, it is important to note that not all products in this field are effective. Many contain dormant bacteria that require many hours before becoming active and getting to work. By the time they’re up and running, the water has already been flushed out of the system in many applications.
By comparison, bacteria products, such as NCH Europe’s FreeFlow Liquid bacteria, are active so they get to work straight away. Some products have a higher bacteria count than others, and obviously this means a quicker digestion of any fat, oil and grease.
Enzymes: Cash down the drain?
There is a lot of misinformation about enzyme products swimming around. Enzymes have a very different effect on fat compared with bacteria, as they simply break up and liquefy the fat, oil and grease in wastewater without actually digesting it. Smaller molecules of fat are created that initially pass down the drain rather nicely, however these smaller molecules eventually congeal back together later on, further down in the water system. This passes the problem down the sewer system when the liquid eventually re-solidifies — creating problematic blockages that local authorities have to deal with.
As seen in the media, huge fatbergs accumulate in sewer systems because either no treatment or ineffective treatments, such as enzyme products, have been used. In London, a fatberg the size of a school bus was found in the water systems in September. This took more than a month to break down and remove, and it reduced the sewer system to 5 per cent of its capacity. While enzymes are often seen as a cheaper option they are ultimately ineffective.
The sweet smell of success
If organic waste is left to decompose in drains the process produces an unpleasant odour. This can result in complaints from both customers and staff, which – if unresolved – can result in loss of reputation and revenue. Decomposing waste also attracts flies and other vermin leaving businesses vulnerable to breaching health and hygiene regulations.
Some companies use deodorising products or air fresheners to cover up odours, but this will not tackle the problem. Onsite wastewater treatment with a bacteria product like NCH Europe’s FreeFlow will digest the decaying fat and food waste, eliminating the problem completely.
Bacteria may sound like something you would want to keep far away from food production, but products like FreeFlow are non-hazardous, non-GM and food safe.
Small and large businesses alike need to take responsibility for fat, oil and grease disposal. Your business’s wastewater is not someone else’s problem, and with potential fines on the increase it’s becoming more than just a moral obligation to treat wastewater effectively.
