If you’re one of a growing number of people who are using wet wipes in search of a better clean than the ancient invention of toilet paper, then you are NOT alone. But the problem has got so bad that the water companies are getting tough on fatbergs and coming after wet wipe users who clog the sewers.

biggest-ever-fatberg-removing-the-Feltham-fatberg

What Happened With The Biggest Ever Fatberg (2013)

Back in 2013, this story shocked Britain:

A gigantic fatberg — a bus-sized lump of wrongly-flushed festering food fat mixed with wet wipes — formed in drains under London Road in Kingston, Surrey.

Had it not been removed, it could have led to sewage flooding many homes, streets and businesses in the leafy London suburb.

Gordon Hailwood, waste contracts supervisor for Thames Water, said at the time:

“While we’ve removed greater volumes of fat from under central London in the past, we’ve never seen a single, congealed lump of lard this big clogging our sewers before.”

“Given we’ve got the biggest sewers and this is the biggest fatberg we’ve encountered, we reckon it has to be the biggest such berg in British history.”

“The sewer was almost completely clogged with over 15 tonnes of fat. If we hadn’t discovered it in time, raw sewage could have started spurting out of manholes across the whole of Kingston.”

Back then, 15 tonnes was considered MASSIVE.

The blockage was discovered after residents in nearby flats complained they couldn’t flush their toilets.

CCTV investigations found the mound of wet wipes and fat had reduced the 70 x 48cm sewer to just five per cent of its normal capacity.

Fast Forward to 2025: The Feltham Fatberg (100 Tonnes!)

If you thought 15 tonnes was bad, buckle up.

In 2025, Thames Water discovered a 100-tonne fatberg in Feltham.

That’s 100,000 kilograms of congealed wet wipes, fat, and sewage.

For perspective:

❌ 15 tonnes (2013) = Size of a bus

❌ 100 tonnes (2025) = Nearly 7 buses worth

The 2025 Feltham fatberg:

❌ Took over a month to clear

❌ Cost over £220,000 to remove

❌ Required specialized equipment

❌ Blocked sewers serving thousands of homes

❌ Nearly caused massive sewage overflow

And it’s just ONE of 28,899 rag blockages Thames Water dealt with in 2025 alone.

Why Have Fatbergs EXPLODED From 15 to 100 Tonnes?

Simple answer: More people are using wet wipes.

Here’s why:

Back in 2013-2014:

Wet wipes were growing in popularity
“Flushable” wipes were new on the market
People trusted the marketing

By 2025:

Wet wipe usage has EXPLODED
“Flushable” claims are everywhere (but they’re lies)
More people than ever are using them daily
Result: 3.8 billion wet wipes removed from London sewers annually

The math is simple:

More wet wipes flushed = Bigger fatbergs = More sewage problems = Higher water bills for everyone

The Real Reason People Use Wet Wipes (I Understand)

I feel very sorry for wet wipe users.

I know toilet paper is often very painful and rarely gets you properly clean.

Who wants to walk around and try to continue their daily work agenda with a less-than-perfectly clean rear end?

Nobody. That’s the honest truth.

People use wet wipes because toilet paper fails.

As we demonstrated in the comparison between bidet sprayers vs toilet paper, dry paper simply doesn’t clean properly.

So people reach for wet wipes, hoping for better cleanliness.

The problem? Wet wipes don’t break down like toilet paper. They create fatbergs.

The Fatberg Crisis: 2013 vs 2025

Let’s compare what’s changed in 11 years:

2013 Fatberg Crisis:

❌ 15-tonne fatberg was “biggest ever”

❌ Isolated incidents

❌ Water companies starting to worry

❌ The public is mostly unaware

2025 Fatberg Crisis:

❌ 100-tonne fatberg is a new record (but won’t be for long)

❌ 28,899 rag blockages in one year

❌ £18 million spent annually clearing blockages

❌ Thames Water is going hard after wet wipe users

❌ Record £2.5 million fine for sewage management failures

❌ Public anger at raw sewage in rivers

The fatberg problem has become a CRISIS.

What Thames Water Said Then vs Now

Gordon Hailwood (Thames Water, 2013):

“Homes and businesses need to change their ways. When it comes to wet wipes, please remember: ‘Bin it – don’t block it.'”

Thames Water (2025):

“We’re spending £18 million annually removing wet wipes from sewers. This is unsustainable. We’re taking enforcement action against persistent offenders.”

Translation: They’re getting serious about stopping wet wipe flushing.

The “Flushable” Wipes LIE

Here’s what’s changed between 2013 and 2025: NOTHING.

“Flushable” wet wipes still don’t break down like toilet paper.

The marketing claims: ✅ “Flushable” ✅ “Safe for sewers” ✅ “Biodegradable”

The reality:

❌ Takes months/years to break down (if ever)

❌ Causes fatbergs

❌ Clogs sewers

❌ Creates environmental disasters

As I wrote back in 2014, and as is still true in 2025: The wet wipes industry is lying to you.

For the full exposé on this corporate deception, read about the monkey business behind toilet paper companies.

The Fatberg Problem Will Keep Getting WORSE

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Unless something changes, fatbergs will keep getting bigger.

Why?

Because more people are discovering that toilet paper doesn’t clean properly, so they’re turning to wet wipes.

The progression:

2013: 15-tonne fatberg (shocking!)

2025: 100-tonne fatberg (crisis!)

2030: ???-tonne fatberg (catastrophe?)

It doesn’t have to be this way.

What Is The Alternative To Wet Wipes?

If you do not want to be part of the wet wipes problem but want a much cleaner rear end, there IS a better alternative.

Look, let’s face it: You can’t be blamed for wanting to be properly clean after using the bathroom.

But wet wipes are NOT the answer.

Water is.

But you can’t jump in the shower after every toilet visit.

However, you CAN get “shower fresh” clean with The Bum Gun bidet sprayer.

Why The Bum Gun Solves The Fatberg Problem

Think about it:

Wet wipes exist because toilet paper fails.

But The Bum Gun makes wet wipes unnecessary.

Here’s how:

✅ Water pressure washes you properly — genuinely “shower fresh” clean

✅ No wipes needed — water does the job completely

✅ Nothing goes down the drain except water and normal waste

✅ Zero contribution to fatbergs — no solid materials clogging sewers

✅ Saves money — no buying £3-4 wet wipe packages weekly

The Bum Gun eliminates the entire reason people use wet wipes in the first place.

For complete details on all the advantages, check out the benefits of bidet sprayers – the complete-guide.

The Economics: 15-Tonne Fatberg vs 100-Tonne Fatberg

Let’s talk about what this costs YOU.

2013 Kingston Fatberg (15 tonnes):

Removal cost: £50,000+
Repairs: 6 weeks
Road closures: Multiple weeks
Cost passed to customers: Yes

2025 Feltham Fatberg (100 tonnes):

Removal cost: £220,000+
Repairs: Over 1 month
Disruption: Massive
Cost passed to customers: Yes

Who pays for fatberg removal?

You do. Through higher water bills.

Thames Water spends £18 million annually clearing wet wipe blockages.

That £18 million comes from customers’ water bills.

So every time you flush a wet wipe, you’re contributing to:

❌ Higher water bills for everyone

❌ Sewage overflows polluting rivers

❌ Massive environmental damage

❌ Infrastructure strain

Or you could install The Bum Gun for £95 once and eliminate the problem entirely.

What If Everyone Switched From Wet Wipes to Bidet Sprayers?

Imagine this scenario:

If just 50% of wet wipe users switched to bidet sprayers like The Bum Gun:

✅ Fatbergs would reduce by 50%

✅ Thames Water would save £9 million annually

✅ Sewage overflows would decrease dramatically

✅ Water bills could stabilize or even decrease

✅ Rivers would be cleaner

If 100% switched?

The fatberg crisis would essentially END.

That’s the power of proper bathroom technology.

The Bum Gun: The Fatberg Prevention Device

Here’s what The Titan Bum Gun offers as the fatberg solution:

✅ High quality 304 stainless steel — built to last 5+ years (often 7-9+)

✅ Made in a Thai factory with 35 years of experience — the professionals in bidet sprayer manufacturing

✅ 5 long years warranty — peace of mind guaranteed

✅ £95 total investment — includes Titan + 3-way valve + P&P

✅ Pays for itself in 27 days — saves £6,061 over 5 years vs toilet paper

✅ Zero fatberg contribution — water only, no solids

✅ 15-minute installation — although it’s usually an easy installation, probably best to use a professional plumber

From 15 Tonnes to 100 Tonnes: A 11-Year Warning Ignored

Here’s what frustrates me:

Back in 2014, when I wrote the original version of this article, the 15-tonne fatberg was a WARNING.

Everyone should have thought: “Wow, we need to stop flushing wet wipes.”

But what happened instead?

People kept flushing wet wipes. The problem got WORSE. Fatbergs got BIGGER.

And now, 11 years later, we have 100-tonne fatbergs.

How big will they be in another 11 years if nothing changes?

200 tonnes? 500 tonnes?

At some point, the infrastructure will fail completely.

The Solution Is Simple (But Requires Action)

Here’s the bottom line:

Option 1: Keep using toilet paper (feels unclean) → Switch to wet wipes (feels cleaner) → Flush them → Create fatbergs → Pay higher water bills → Pollute rivers

Option 2: Switch to The Bum Gun → Get “shower fresh” clean → No wipes needed → No fatbergs → Save money → Help environment

Which makes more sense?