Don't feed the Grease Goblin. Fat, oil and grease are a real “pain in the drain” because they are the major cause of problems we find in sewer lines. Substances like oil, butter, margarine, shortening, pan drippings, and sauces can cause blockages in sewer lines. Clogged sewer lines can lead to sewer spills, which are bad for the environment, and can be expensive. The best way you can prevent sewer spills is to never pour fat, oil, or grease down the drain. Instead, let it cool down, collect it in a container (like a used soup can or mayonnaise jar) and throw it away in the trash. Running hot water along with the fats, oil, and grease doesn't help!
Do not believe the myth that it is okay to pour grease down the drain as long as you run the water at the same time. No amount of hot water keeps grease from eventually congealing. This only gets the grease through the part of the pipes in your home. Once it goes into the sewer and cools, it sticks to the walls of the pipes and creates an expensive and messy problem of sewer backups... for you, your neighbors, and the water systems in your neighborhood.
It’s never okay to pour any type of fat, oil or grease down the drain.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
DO
Put oil and grease in collection containers
Remove oil and grease from kitchen utensils, equipment and food preparation areas with scrapers/towels/brooms
Keep grease out of wash water
Place food scraps in collection containers
DO NOT
Pour oil and grease down drains
Wash fryers/griddles, pots/pans and plates with water until oil and grease are removed
Use hot water to rinse grease off surfaces
Put food scraps down drains
Thanks for your help, and please spread the word about how important it is to “cease the grease.” Together, we can protect our sewer system and the environment.
For more information, please email bsavage@sgwasa.org or call (919) 575-3111 ext. 101.