fatbergs
Congealed drain masses
Fatbergs are massive clumps of congealed fat, oil, grease, and non-biodegradable waste that form in sewer systems.
They develop when cooking fats flushed down drains solidify and combine with items like wet wipes and sanitary products.
Named by analogy to icebergs, some grow enormous—London's largest stretched over 800 feet.
Workers spent weeks breaking up the fatberg blocking the main sewer line.
Thick oily lubricant
- oilSlippery viscous fluid
- lardClarified pork fat
- wet wipesPre-soaked disposable cloths
- nappiesBaby's absorbent undergarments
congealed · solidified · conglomeration · mass · clumps · gunk · sludge · non-biodegradable
Block or wooden shoe
- pipesCylindrical fluid carriers
- drainageLiquid removal system
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- wastewaterContaminated drainage from buildings
overflow · backflow · plumbing · sewerage · infrastructure · sanitation · manhole · hydrojetting
Risk to ecosystems
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- waste managementRefuse collection and disposal
- sewage overflowExcess wastewater escaping containment
- water pollutionHarmful substances in H2O
urban waste · public health · disposal · landfill · incineration · museum display · awareness campaign
grease
Thick oily lubricant
nappies · congealed · solidified · conglomeration · mass · clumps · gunk · sludge · non-biodegradable · waste
clog
Block or wooden shoe
wastewater · overflow · backflow · plumbing · sewerage · infrastructure · sanitation · manhole · hydrojetting · excavation
environmental hazard
Risk to ecosystems
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- waste managementRefuse collection and disposal
- sewage overflowExcess wastewater escaping containment
water pollution · urban waste · public health · disposal · landfill · incineration · museum display · awareness campaign
- seweragesewers, sewage, sewer pipes, sewer, sewer networks
fatbergsicebergs
Floating masses of ice
geological formations · glaciers · stalactites · boulders · crystals