Utilities

Fats, oils and grease

Why fats, oils and grease should never go down the drain

Description

It may seem harmless to pour and scrape your fats, oils, and grease down the kitchen drain, but it causes real trouble for your pipes, the sewer – and your bank account.

Why are fats, oils and grease a problem?

Fats, oils and grease clog drains and sewers

For home or property owners, unclogging a household drain can be expensive. For restaurants, keeping fats, oils and grease out of the sewer system is the law.

 

Sewer backups can go into your gutter and flow into storm drains and end up in our waterways causing environmental and health problems. By keeping our sewers operating smoothly helps keep Sacramento clean and safe for everybody.

 

For more information about fats, oils and grease disposal or clog prevention, contact the City of Sacramento at 916-264-5011 or 3-1-1.

Learn how to properly dispose of fats, oils and grease

Myths about fats, oils and grease

There’s a lot of myth-information out there when it comes to fats, oils and grease. Here’s the truth:

  • Hot Water

    Using hot water and soap does not dissolve oils and grease as they go down the drain.

  • Garbage disposals

    A garbage disposal doesn’t make fatty and greasy food scraps disappear. Fats, oils and grease can still clog the pipes.

  • Liquid vs. solids

    Fats, oils and grease that are liquid at room temperature can still collect food particles and stick to sewer pipes. 

  • Healthy oils

    Healthier cooking oil aren't healthier for your drain. When it comes to clogs, healthy oils are as bad as other oils.