A large ball of fat detected at the New Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2021. Photo: Supplied / New Plymouth District Council
New Plymouth officials say they're fed up with "fatbergs", after the congealed masses that caused roughly 70 percent of local wastewater network blockages last year.
Fatbergs are large solid masses that form in pipes from fats, oils and grease washed down kitchen sinks, said New Plymouth District Council Three Waters Network Manager Jaco Beeslaar.
Along the way it collects random items also flushed into the wastewater system, such as wet wipes and sanitary products, to cause larger and messier clogs.
"Our team dealt with 125 blockages in 2024, most of which could had been avoided.
"We've already had to clear seven fatbergs since the New Year alone."
In early January there were two wastewater overflows at The Valley shopping centre at Waiwhakaiho, said Jaco, caused by food fat from a privately owned sewer pipe entering the network.
A fat-clogged water pipe. Photo: Supplied / New Plymouth District Council
"Sewage overflows can contaminate the soil and streams, and people might not be able to swim or collect kai for a while in the affected area. It also costs money to remove the blockage and clean up the site," said Jaco.
The council are imploring locals to remember to only flush the three Ps: pee, poo and toilet paper.
Before washing plates and roasting pans scrape cooking fat into your food scraps bin or compost and place strainers in your sink to catch food scraps, said Jaco.
"It'd be great if we could end 2025 with a lot fewer blockages than last year - which is something the public can help us with."
Each year the local New Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Plant treats about eight million cubic metres of wastewater - the equivalent of four billion two-litre milk bottles.
New Plymouth District Council maintains 631km of wastewater pipes, serving nearly 26,000 properties.
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