Proper Disposal

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) or other prohibited items like cleaning wipes can cause obstructions in the sanitary sewer system.  These obstructions or debris blockages can cause wastewater to flow into residences and businesses causing interior damages to your home and/or business.

Fat, Oils and Grease
Fat, Oils and Grease Grease and cooking oil are "hydrophobic," which means they prefer to cling to surfaces that are free of water.

Grease will build from the top down in the sewer line. As the wastewater flows through the sewer line the grease continues to build restricting the flow of wastewater. Eventually, grease will form a blockage in the sewer line. In addition to household and business sewer lines clogging, cooking oil and grease in the wastewater can cause sewer lift station failures, wastewater treatment plant problems, and subsequently environmental concerns.

Grease is one waste that the sewer system cannot handle and therefore needs to be kept out of the system.

How to Dispose of Grease and Cooking Oil
It is better to put grease in the garbage instead of the drain. Spent grease and cooking oil can be placed in a jar, coffee can, or other suitable container. After it has cooled, seal the container, wrap it in newspaper, then placed it in the household trash.

Waste food products containing fats, cooking oil, or grease can be placed in a plastic bag or other suitable container then disposed along with the household trash instead of through the garbage disposal.

Food service establishments require a grease interceptor to properly remove oil and grease.

Chemical Usage
Chemicals used to undo sewer clogs flow along the bottom of the drain pipe. If used frequently, the chemicals can deteriorate the bottom of the sewer pipe creating problems later for the homeowner or business.

Detergents, hot water, and chemicals do not remove grease. They merely allow grease to go into solution (emulsify it). When the emulsified solution contacts cooler water or piping, the grease re-coagulates causing problems downstream in the homeowner's or business private sewer service line, the city sewer main, and at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.  

Wipes
Disposable does not always mean flushable. Cleaning wipes and baby wipes do not dissolve, but they do get stuck in sewer pipes and sewer pumping equipment.

Be kind to your plumbing. Throw used wipes in the trash. Costs for hiring a plumber to un-clog your private sewer line typically ranges from  $75.00 to $350.00. These costs do not include the time it takes you to clean up the sewage that may have backed up or the time spent calling and waiting for a plumber. 

In addition, kitchen grease, kitty litter, plastic or latex items, and needles can all clog pipes and should be bagged or contained and placed in the trash.

What You Can Do
You can help prevent a costly and unsanitary overflow by following a few simple steps:

  • Use paper towels to dry wipe grease and food from pots, pans and plates. Place contents into a garbage container before washing in sink or dishwasher.

  • Pour all used cooking oils and grease into a container to cool and harden.  When the container is full, place the container in a bag to prevent leakage and put in the garbage.

  • Use baskets and strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids and dispose of them in the garbage.

  • Dispose of Clorox and/or baby wipes, latex items, and personal hygiene products in the bathroom wastebasket.

Do not

  • Pour any cooking oils or grease onto your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, toilet or other drain lines.

  • Use hot water and soap to wash grease down the drain, because it will harden in your pipes or in the sewer down the line and cause a sewer overflow in your home or business.

  • Flush baby diapers and baby wipes in the toilet.

  • Use the toilet as a wastebasket.

If you have any questions regarding the information of this notification or require assistance, please call (480) 644-2484.