FOG fines are often result of confusion not malintent by FSE (Pubs, Restaurants, Take Away, Fish & Chips)

Covid pandemic and Brexit led to HGV driver shortages, gas price increases and stock problems as well as shortage of staff for restaurants, pubs, take away, fish & chips and other food serving entablements (FSEs)

 The shortage of workers which has resulted in supply issues and disruption in hospitality sector will continue for up to two years unless Government action includes relaxing immigration laws, a leading business group warns.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)said staff shortages are continuing to cause disruption as companies try to recover from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

With the news cycle in overdrive and constant news headlines that impact the day to day running as well as threatening the long-term survival of businesses, it is easy to realise how something likeFOG control can be low on the priority list.

Not enough time, other more pressing issues, lack of clear guidance from experts and general confusion around standards are probably the main reason around the recent increase of breaches of the Water Industry Act 1991. Not every breach necessarily results in a fine, however, with hundreds of thousands of Fat,Oil and Grease (FOG) blockages being reported, water companies are getting tougher. The result is a recent string of prosecutions of both small and largeFSEs, ranging from a few thousands to tens of thousands of pounds in fines for the owner.

Breaches can occur for many reasons.

·      Using a type of grease management called enzyme dosing, which doesn't remove fats and oils at source, meaning they can still cause problems in the sewer network.

·      Missing FOG Control all together and discharging straight into the sewers without a correctly sized grease trap.

·      Undersized or badly maintained equipment, often a result of a business growing beyond their original proposals and plans.

All breaches have one thing in common: the lack of expert guidance and advice. Which can simply be obtained from your local water company or industry expert on FOG Control such as Aqua Mundus, Binders, DrainIT, Thermaco or Magnete to name but a few.

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