You may have heard the word “fatberg” floating around the news recently – and no, it’s not the name of a heavy metal band. Fatbergs are monstrous clumps of fat, oil, grease, and non-flushable materials that build up in our sewers, leading to blockages, flooding, environmental damage – and even concert cancellations.

Yes, really.

A fatberg is a solid mass formed when fats, oils and grease (commonly known as FOG) combine with items that should never be flushed – like wet wipes, sanitary products, dental floss, and even paper towels. Over time, these materials harden and grow into massive, pipe-blocking obstructions.

Western Australia is no stranger to the fatberg phenomenon. In recent months, Perth has made headlines for two major incidents that highlight just how serious these blockages can be:

 

FATBERGS IN PERTH:  THE GROWING SEWER CRISIS THAT CANCELLED A CONCERT

It sounds like something out of a bizarre comedy skit: thousands of excited fans waiting to see a music legend live in Perth, only to be told  at the last minute – that the show can’t go on… because of a fatberg.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened earlier in 2025, when a Bryan Adams concert at Kings Park was cancelled at the last minute due to a massive sewer blockage caused by a fatberg. The blockage disabled the venue’s toilets, making it unsafe and unsuitable to host thousands of fans.

Without working toilets on-site and with no ability to repair the issue quickly, organisers had no choice but to pull the plug.

Fans were left frustrated and disappointed, with many already in the city or en route to the venue. For some, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see an icon and it was flushed away due to avoidable sewer misuse.

The incident highlights just how serious the consequences of poor drain habits can be – not only for households but for public venues and entire communities.

While fatbergs may sound amusing in name, they are anything but funny in reality. These massive blockages are becoming increasingly common in Western Australia – and they’re putting strain on public infrastructure, damaging homes and businesses, and now, disrupting major events.

PUTRID FATBERG PULLED FROM PERTH SEWER

Just a few weeks later, on 14 March 2025, another fatberg made headlines in Perth.

Water Corporation crews uncovered a giant, putrid mass in the city’s sewer system weighing several hundred kilograms – described by officials as “waist-deep and completely disgusting”.

This fatberg, made up of fats, oils, grease, and unflushable rubbish like wet wipes and sanitary products, was blocking a major sewer line and posed a significant public health risk. It took hours of specialised work to break up and remove.

According to the Water Corporation, these blockages are becoming more frequent and more severe, particularly in urban areas where population growth and poor disposal habits combine.

These events are stark reminders that small habits at home can have big consequences for local infrastructure.

 

WHAT CAUSES FATBERGS?

Fatbergs are created when:

Cooking oils and grease are poured down the sink.

Wet wipes, even those labelled “flushable”, are flushed.

Food scraps, coffee grounds, and dairy products enter the drain.

Sanitary products, cotton buds, or nappies are flushed.

These materials congeal and harden, sticking to pipe walls and attract more debriS, eventually creating a fatberg.

THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF FATBERGS

Fatbergs aren’t just unpleasant.  They can:

Cause sewer overflows and localised flooding.

Lead to property damage and expensive repairs.

Disrupt public venues and businesses.

Contaminate natural waterways and the environment.

Require costly and dangerous clean-up operations.

 

HOW TO PREVENT A FATBERG IN YOUR AREA 

Everyone can play a part in keeping WA’s sewer systems flowing freely.  Here’s how:

Bin it, don’t flush it: Throw all wipes, sanitary items, and hygiene products in the bin – even those marked “flushable”.

Wipe before washing: Use paper towels to remove grease from pans before rinsing.

Use sink strainers: Catch food scraps and coffee grounds before they go down the drain.

Never pour oil or grease down the sink: Let it cool, then dispose of it in the bin or recycle at a local disposal centre.

THE ROLE OF WAROONA SEPTICS 

At Waroona Septics, we’re committed to helping homes and businesses across Western Australia keep their waste systems running smoothly. We specialise in liquid waste and septic system management.

If you’re concerned about your drains or septic system – or want a pre-winter inspection – get in touch today.

Click Here For Contact Details

Let’s keep WA fatberg-free.

☎️ Contact Waroona Septics for advice or service bookings. Click here for Services We Offer