New chair launches fatberg fighters conference
31 Jan 2019
New chair of fatberg fighters’ organisation, the Grease Contractors Association, Lila Thompson has called on the body’s growing membership to “raise the bar” in order to combat sewer pollution and announced a conference on the issue.
The British Water chief executive recently succeeded Edward Palin as spokesman for the body set up to promote better use of grease traps and coordinated policies against system blockages.
She said the GCA would focus this year on developing a code of practice for grease traps, engaging with water companies and wipes manufacturers and raising awareness with food establishments.
British Water is staging a first Fighting the Fatberg Conference on 27 February 2019 at Cranfield University. Representatives from Thames Water, Southern Water and South West Water will share their fatberg strategies at the event and headline speaker will be former GCA chair Palin.
Administered through British Water, the recently-formed GCA now includes 17 members from the sector and aims to recruit all contractors engaged in grease maintenance.
“In a recent prosecution by Severn Trent Water, a restaurant owner in Nottingham was fined over £8,000 for failing to have the correct equipment. The incident could have been prevented had a suitable grease trap been installed and maintained,” Thompson stated.
