Fatbergs: the grease monsters growing under our ci

In cities across the world, sewer workers are battling something increasingly common and increasingly massive: fatbergs. These are not single spills of grease, but slow-growing, rock-hard tangles of fat, cooking oils, wipes, and other refuse that accumulate inside underground pipes.

The name “fatberg” reflects their texture and scale—once formed, they can resemble boulders of grime. As they expand, they block flow, trigger backups, and force costly repairs that can disrupt local neighborhoods and public services.