| Every time it rains, water (known as stormwater runoff) flows off of rooftops and lawns, and down driveways and streets. Stormwater picks up pollutants and debris. This can include such things as: sediment (dirt), fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil, grease, heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, cadmium), leaves and grass clippings, pet waste and litter. All of these contaminants are carried by stormwater (now known as polluted stormwater runoff) to the nearest storm drain or drainage swale and are eventually delivered, untreated, into the nearest river, lake or stream.
All oils disposed of improperly can cause problems in storm drains and sewer systems. These fats and oil sources include: mayonnaise, butter, salad dressing, gravy, fryer oil, lard olive oil, etc. Fats, oils and grease are a menace to sewer pipes. Dumping cooking grease or fatty foods down a drain is a common mistake. Cooking grease coats pipelines similar to the way that fatty foods clog human arteries. The grease clings to the inside of the pipelines, eventually causing complete blockage.
Fats, oils and grease being improperly disposed of can be expensive and a headache to the average homeowner. In fact, costly home plumbing bills are often the result of grease-clogged pipelines. Residential pipelines clog easily since they are only 2”-4” in diameter. Many people are also unaware that pouring hot water and detergent down the drain only breaks up the grease temporarily. Grease should never be poured down the drain. If small amounts of grease accidentally get into your drain, then flush them out immediately with cold water. Disposing of grease down the toilet also causes sewer backups or septic tank failure. Here are some simple solutions for you to follow at home:
Solutions
Just by following these tips, you can prevent costly grease blockages in your own plumbing system and help the Clean Water Campaign to spread the word to reduce sewer system overflows, backups, and maintenance costs. Fats, oils, and greases aren't just bad for your arteries; they are bad for our collection system too.
- Cooking oil should be poured into an old milk carton, frozen juice container, or other non-recyclable package, and disposed of in the garbage. If you pour oil directly into a trash bag then it can leak or spill on walkways or driveways when being carried to trash cans or being dumped into garbage trucks.
- Dishes and pots that are coated with greasy leftovers, should be wiped clean with a disposable towel prior to washing or placing in dishwashers.
- Instead of placing fat trimmings from meat in the garbage disposal, please put them in a trash can.
Learn More
The Clean Water Campaign in partnership with P2AD will be conducting a series of workshops called “You’re the Solution to Water Pollution.” The workshops are a spin-off of the popular self-titled brochure and poster series that show easy ways that residents can correctly use fertilizer and pesticides as well as disposal of paint, cooking grease, cleaning chemicals and other materials used in the home.
Upcoming Workshops
There are currently no workshops scheduled. |
