F-O-G / Fats, Oils and Grease
Prevent sewer backups and overflows.
Keep grease out of your sewer lines.
Keep grease out of your sewer lines.
Grease that is washed down sinks, toilets, or other drains can cool and stick to the sides of the sewer lines (both on private property and on public lines). Over time, it can build up and cause the line to be blocked. When that happens, raw sewage can overflow onto yards, streets, sidewalks, or parking areas and may reach storm drains and discharge to waterways. It also may back up into homes and businesses.
The consequences can be significant:
- An expensive cleanup process, especially if it backs up into homes or businesses. Property owners are often required to pay for these cleanups.
- Potential contact with disease-causing organisms.
- An increase in maintenance costs for local sewer departments, leading to higher sewer bills.
So, how can these problems be avoided? It's simple:
- Never pour grease down sinks, toilets, or other drains. Pour grease in a can or other disposable container and place in the trash.
- Scrape food scraps and grease into the trash before washing dishes.
- Use baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and empty them into the trash.
- If you run a restaurant or other food preparation facility, inspect/clean your grease trap monthly. An improperly maintained grease trap can be a major source of grease in sewer lines.
- Mention these steps to friends and neighbors and encourage them to do the same.
By following the steps outlined above, you can help:
- Prevent costly and often hazardous sewer backups
- Keep utility costs down
- Protect human health and the environment.
