Solid masses of fats, oils, and grease called fatbergs can gum up drains and sewers around the world and can be incredibly costly to remove and repair. Now, a new wastewater treatment system may help prevent them from building up in the first place. A small dose of a common water treatment chemical called alum (aluminum sulfate) is added. “While traditional interceptors only remove around 40% of fats, our system achieved up to 98%—even when tested with actual kitchen wastewater,” Sultana said. If implemented in an already established grease management system, it could be a more cost-effective way to protect sewer infrastructure.