Did you make a New Year’s resolution to live a healthier life-style, cutting fats, oils and grease from your diet? These materials not only have a negative impact on your body’s internal “plumbing”, but they are very bad for the sewer system. Fats, oils and grease or “FOG” can clog sewer lines leading to overflows and back-ups. Sewage can back-up into your home creating serious health hazards or it can over-flow to the environment threatening our waterways.
There are several, very simple things you can do to help prevent sewerage back-ups and overflows.
- Never pour grease down sink or toilet drains! Instead pour or scrape grease from pots and pans into a can. Allow the grease to cool and solidify (refrigerate if necessary) and then throw away in the trash.
- You can scrape or wipe (using paper towel) grease or greasy solids directly to the trash.
- Use your sink strainer faithfully to collect “greasy” solids and empty it to the trash.
- Whenever possible, avoid using your garbage disposal. Scrape solid materials to the trash for disposal.
- Avoid the use of additives that dissolve grease. This allows the grease to liquefy and pass down the sewer line causing problems in other areas.
This year, please be mindful of the things you put into your body and what you put into our sewer system. Sewerage back-ups and overflows cost everyone!