Fatberg pulled from sewer near Barwon River in Newtown

A large fatberg, containing wet wipes, food scraps and oils, was removed from a sewer near the Barwon River after it caused a spillage on Thursday night.

One of the fatbergs that caused a sewage spill. Picture: Barwon Water

A large fatberg that caused a spillage along the Barwon River walking path was removed from a sewer in Newtown on Thursday night.

Barwon Water said multiple blockages, created by a build-up of non-flushable wet wipes, sanitary items, food scraps, fats and oils and other waste, caused the spillage near Fernleigh St and the McIntyre Bridge.

Removing sewer blockages, largely caused by non-flushable products getting stuck in the system, costs Barwon Water about $600,000 per year.

Emergency crews quickly created a diversion to direct the flow into a nearby sewer pump station and worked through the night to clear the blockages.

Part of the walking track along the river was closed to allow crews to clean up the spillage and Barwon Water also advised groups that regularly use the river of the incident.

Water quality will be monitored during coming days.

Barwon Water general manager of smart and sustainable infrastructure David Snadden said the incident was a reminder of the importance of keeping the sewerage system healthy.

“These blockages are expensive and time consuming to fix and can also impact on our natural environments,” he said.

“When people flush things like wet wipes, tissues, rags, paper towel and rubbish, it causes blockages that can lead to sewage spilling into streets and public places.”

In May this year, crews worked for two weeks to remove a 10m fatberg from a sewer on Bellarine St in Geelong.

Barwon Water reminded residents that toilets and drains are not designed to handle anything that doesn’t break down in the sewerage system.

People should only flush the three Ps - pee, poo and (toilet) paper.

Originally published as Fatberg pulled from sewer near Barwon River in Newtown