Learning about the proper disposal of fats, oils, and greases is a community responsibility. The expense of sewer backups can fall on the city and its rate payers, but this can also result in penalties and fees, along with plumbing repairs, for business owners and homeowners of our area.
The appropriate method for disposing of this type of waste is to allow the oils to cool to room temperature and pour into a disposable container - bagged trash or a container for the garbage.
Thomas Cartledge, Compliance Supervisor for the City of Rocky Mount's Water Resources Department explains the costly issues created by the accumulation of fats, oils, and greases in the city's sewer system.
As reported by Thomas Cartledge, FOGS cost "several hundred thousand dollars a year" as they have to be cleaned on a "regular basis." Not only are FOGS expensive, but they have a "huge environmental impact" despite being “100% preventable” and are an “ongoing battle.” For instance, a local restaurant was recently forced to close, the cost to clear them comes “directly from your utility bill,” and they can result in sewer overflows that make it to surface waters. As for preventing these pesky bergs, avoid pouring grease, oils, and fats down your sink, and safely dispose of them in the trash as what you pour down the drain will not be a liquid forever.
Now you may be wondering, why should I care? Not only do FOGS negatively affect our local community, but they are incredibly damaging and expensive. The majority of FOGS are in residential areas and are “non controllable.” Contrary to businesses, which are controllable, you cannot force someone to follow the precautions when they are in their own home, so instead, our job is to make you aware of how your actions impact not only your local community, but how your actions negatively affect yourself as well.
If you avoid pouring things down the drain when there is a safer alternative, like the trash, we could have a “better community overall.” As the cost of FOGs is put on the producers of the grease, this results in a rise of customer prices, making life more difficult than it has to be. So in conclusion, STOP pouring grease down the sink, and instead DROP it (safely), in the trash.
What can we do differently?
FOGS, an acronym for the Fats, Oils, and Greases we use in our daily lives, accumulate in our sewage draining systems, and create unnecessary blockages for our infrastructure of pipes under the city.
We love the delicious options of fried foods, but we need to learn to properly dispose of the used oils and greases in our kitchen.
SF Water Power Sewer "How to Properly Dispose of Used Cooking Oil."
Learn how to properly dispose of used cooking oil.