Not cement but congealed fats on Barnes Small Profit Dock

Local volunteers in Putney Tidy Towpath (PTT) and Barnes Tidy Towpath Group (BTTG) have reported collecting fatbergs with the litter last weekend along the Putney foreshore and at Small Profit Dock in Barnes.

The fatbergs were released into the Thames from the sewer system during the combined sewage overflow Tuesday afternoon (24th September) following heavy rainfall.

A spokesperson for BTTG said: "Following the combined sewage overflow, fatbergs and other nasty bits washed up on Small Profit foreshore and ramp in Barnes. Fatbergs look like chunks of concrete but despite their weight, they are weirdly crumbly, squidgy and contain items which have been flushed down the loo. This weekend, fatbergs were reported in Putney, Hammersmith, Barnes and Mortlake by clean up groups who also found numerous dead rats which was most unusual. We suspect the rats may have been drawn to the smell of the fat, consumed some of the fatberg and died as a result of eating the contaminated matter. Clearly, a hazard for pets, marine life and the environment!"

A spokesperson for PTT said: "Congealed with these lumps can be anything - including a hypodermic needle at Small Profits Dock. Dogs on the foreshore cannot tell what is with the lump they try to eat. We urge residents not to “feed” fatbergs by pouring fat, oil, grease down your kitchen drains and not to flush anything but the 3 P's down the loo - Pee poo and paper - wet wipes, earbuds, condoms and sanitary towels etc should all go on the bin!"

Both groups are trained by Thames21, a charity that works with communities across Greater London to improve rivers, canals, ponds and lakes for people and wildlife. 

Hammersmith & Mogden Treatment Centres have both discharged untreated sewage into the Thames in the past 24 hours.

Our thanks to Sandi Bloomfield, editor of PutneySW15.com for the article. Photo by BTTG.