Fighting 'fatbergs'

Macomb County, Michigan experienced a blockage of an 11-foot diameter sewage line in 2018, which could have caused raw sewage to back up into thousands of homes if left untreated. The source of the blockage: a massive buildup of fats, oils and greases (FOGs) discharged into the sewer system by homes, industry and restaurants. These massive FOG buildups have been termed "fatbergs" by the media, and their impact on the environment is potentially severe.