The holidays are almost here, which means festive meals, sweet treats, and cherished recipes are all on the menu. While delicious, these beloved recipes may involve the use of fats, oils, and grease (FOG), which pose a serious threat to your plumbing and can cause costly damage to your sewer pipes.
When hot FOG is poured down the drain, it flows easily. However, as it cools, it begins to solidify and can quickly clog your pipes, leading to blockages, backups, and sewer overflows on your property.
Once within the community sewer system, FOG can create large fatbergs that stick to the inside of sewer pipes. A fatberg is a solid mass formed by the accumulation of non-biodegradable materials, such as wet wipes, paper towels, and grease. This buildup not only decreases the capacity of the wastewater collection system but also reduces its efficiency.
Avoid this situation by practicing proper FOG disposal during food preparation and kitchen clean-up.
Put FOGs like these in the trash, not down the drain:
- Bacon grease
- Pan drippings
- Butter
- Milk & creams
- Mayonnaise
- Cooking oil
- Sauces and gravy
- Salad dressing
- Peanut butter
TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR PIPES:
- Never put FOG down the garbage disposal.
- Use sink strainers to catch food waste.
- Before washing, use a paper napkin or paper towel to wipe FOG from dishes and dispose of it in the trash.
- Pour cooled FOG into a container like an old food can or jar and put the container in the trash.
By following these tips, you can help protect your home’s drains and pipes and ensure the community sewer system functions effectively.
For more information, visit cvwd.org.
