The 130-tonne fatberg discovered lurking in a sewer in Whitechapel will go on display to the public as the Museum of London’s newest exhibit from early 2018.
The solid lump of congealed fat, wet wipes, nappies and oil, measuring longer than Tower Bridge, made headlines in September when it was discovered blocking a Victorian-era tunnel.
Thames Water’s head of waste networks, Matt Rimmer labelled the mass “a total monster” and “up there with the biggest we’ve ever seen”.
Now the museum will put a slice of the fatberg on display above ground as part of its City Now City Future season looking at the challenges faced by cities around the world and what the future holds for people living in urban environments.
Vyki Sparkes, curator of social and working history at the Museum of London, said the mass will be “one of the most fascinating and disgusting objects we have ever had on display.”
Thames Water has now converted most of the fatberg into biodiesel, with museum curators currently working to preserve the only remaining piece for display from early next year.
Stuart White, media manager at Thames Water said: “There is definitely something repulsively human about this modern-day monster we helped create – largely through our own excess.”
“At its worst, a fatberg can cause a total blockage and the misery of sewer flooding. This rock-solid chunk in the museum is a vivid reminder to us all that out of sight is not gone forever, so please help keep London flowing – don’t feed the fatberg.”
