Data to back bids to curb sewer blocking by customers is scant, research finds

The UK water industry lacks fundamental data to succeed in its attempts to stem the customer behaviours that lead to blocked sewers according to a recent UKWIR report.

UKWIR’s findings from a study of current and past behaviour change campaigns by individual water companies showed that, “Above all this research indicates there is still much work to be done to develop effective behaviour change.” It said “a series foundational steps” were needed “if evidence-based approaches to tackling this huge challenge are to be developed.”

The researchers added: “The project highlights the need for a strategic and disciplined approach to blockage campaigns to enable the industry to both monitor and improve effectiveness and maximise return on investment.”

Among its recommendations were for the industry to:

• agree consistent methodologies for recording and comparing data;

• define distinct problem behaviours to address and and rank them on priority;

• “deep-dive” research to understand priority behaviours and where behaviour change is likely to easiest to achieve; and 

• find stronger motivating factors for customers to encourage behaviour change.

UKWIR went on: “Blockage reduction represents one part of the solution to uncontrolled discharges from sewer overflows, with water companies across the UK and Ireland needing to find ways of changing customer behaviour, addressing key barriers to the disposal of fats, oils and greases, and other blockers such as wet wipes.”