AI System Prevents Fatberg From Polluting Isle Of Wight Chalk Stream

A potential pollution incident affecting one of the Isle of Wight’s rare chalk streams has been avoided thanks to new AI-powered sewer monitoring technology.

Southern Water says a developing blockage — known as a fatberg — was detected near a surface water line feeding into the Caul Bourne, which runs through Calbourne, a well-known and picturesque part of the Island.

Blocked sewers are one of the leading causes of pollution, with incidents ranging from overflowing manholes to sewage backing up into homes. In this case, early detection meant teams were able to act before any damage was caused.

The issue was identified using a network of thousands of sensors installed in sewers, which monitor flow levels and flag unusual activity that could indicate a blockage or leak.

Engineers were quickly sent to the area, where they used high-pressure jets to clear the obstruction. Wet wipes and other non-flushable items were found to be the main cause.

Southern Water says the system uses artificial intelligence to understand normal sewer behaviour — including daily usage patterns and rainfall — allowing it to spot problems before they escalate.

The company has also been speaking to residents in affected areas to raise awareness about what should and shouldn’t be flushed, warning that even small amounts of fat and everyday items can quickly build up and cause major blockages.

More than 4,000 similar interventions have been carried out in the past year using the technology, helping to prevent pollution and disruption to homes and the environment.