Drain expert shocked after lifting manhole cover and making 'really gross' discovery A Severn Trent worker has described what he found out on a job Severn Trent worker Luke Hufton (Image: Severn Trent ) A drain expert has revealed how he made a 'really gross' discovery after lifting a manhole cover during a job. Luke Hufton and crew mate Terry Churchill, who work for Severn Trent, get called out to unblock pipes and sewers across Nottingham. ‌ Dad-of-one Luke has now revealed his grossest day in the job – lifting a manhole cover to find multiple fatbergs in the sewer. ‌ He said: "I love the variety of my job but there have been some really gross days too. "I remember we were called to one blockage in an enclosed garage and I lifted the manhole cover and it was completely blocked by fatbergs. "It was horrendous and the smell was terrible! Article continues below READ MORE: Pakistan says 'credible intelligence' India is planning imminent attack Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here. "We have also discovered all kinds of things in the sewers that should not be there – the most common being wet wipes, which should never be flushed. ‌ "But we have also seen things like coins, clothes and even brushes." Severn Trent is urging households to 'Be a Binner, Not a Blocker' after teams cleared a huge 28,782 blockages last year. Blockages are often caused by 'unflushables' like wet wipes and fats, oils and greases (FOG). ‌ Blockages can sometimes lead to sewage flooding back into customer homes and gardens. Customers could face costly bills as it can be their responsibility to pay for the costly clean up, Severn Trent said. Severn Trent fatberg (Image: Severn Trent ) ‌ You should only put the 3P’s down toilets - poo, pee and (toilet) paper - and never FOGs. Luke said people can reduce blockages by following the 3P’s rule. He said: "Sewers connect to multiple homes so some people we visit may not even have caused the blockage, it could have been a neighbour, yet they are the ones affected. ‌ "I do believe everyone should think a little more about looking after their neighbours by only flushing the 3P’s to protect all homes and gardens from flooding." Grant Mitchell, sewer blockages lead at Severn Trent, said: "Unflushable items such as wet wipes, sanitary products, nappies and a whole lot more cannot be flushed down the toilet. "If they do they can cause blockages, which can flood the home which is not very nice at all. ‌ "This spring, we are asking people to really have a think about their habits and what they are putting down the sink and see if there are any small changes that can be made. "Even small changes can have a huge impact on sewer health." Lifelong Manchester United fan Luke, 25, said 'mess and upset' can be caused by people putting the wrong thing down toilets and drains. Article continues below The former beer delivery drayman, who joined Severn Trent in December 2023, added: "Being a drayman was good job, but I always wanted to work for Severn Trent, so it was a no brainer for me when this role came up. "People might think we only have to come in with a rod and pop out the blockage, but there is far more to it than that, including locating the blockage, reading maps and speaking with customers. "And I love working with Terry as we have a great laugh – even though he is a Nottingham Forest fan and is enjoying a far better season that my team, Man United!"