Help Your Neighborhood, Help Yourself
The Problem
If you pour fats, oils and grease (FOG) down the drain, you’re setting yourself up for messy problems ahead. Just because you don’t see FOG anymore doesn’t mean it’s not lurking nearby—out of sight in your kitchen drain pipes or clinging to the sides of the sewer lines.
When FOG—as liquid—is poured down a drain, it cools, becomes solid and then floats to the top of the wastewater in the sewer lines. This layer of fat sticks to the pipes and over time narrows the area the wastewater runs through. In your home, this means that your sinks may drain slowly and then back up. And in the sewers, the narrowed pipes eventually cause clogs, leading to sewer backups in your neighborhood. And that’s not pleasant for anyone!
Not only are sewer overflows disgusting, they are real pain to clean up. Because, really, who wants to do that? Sewer overflows can be so severe that residents have had to vacate their homes. In addition to causing home and sewer damage, overflows may be absorbed into our waterways, contaminating the water and having negative environmental impact on wildlife. Sewer overflows are a serious matter—enough so that they are documented for environmental and water quality impact.
And beyond the “ick” factor, clogs and backups can cost you money—plumber bills for drain cleaning to pipe repair aren’t known to be cheap!
Preventing clogs avoids hassle, saves money and protects the environment.
The SOLUTION
When it comes to disposing of FOG, it’s easy! Pour it. Scrape it. Seal it. Trash it.
What’s the best way to keep your drains FOG and clog free? Dispose of FOG the correct way. Here’s how:
- Pour and scrape FOG into a disposal container.
- Seal the container.
- Trash the container in waste bin/garbage can.
Share this information with other household members so that they also know how to dispose of FOG. Want to see an example of proper FOG disposal? Visit our YouTube channel.
Do your part to keep our sewers running smoothly and our water safe. FOG—Pour it. Scrape it. Seal it. Trash it.
Check out our YouTube video for a how-to video about proper FOG disposal. Everyone in the house can help.
Help your wallet, your environment and your city by checking out this Infographic.
For more information on proper disposal of fats, oils and grease, or clog prevention, contact the City of Sacramento at (916) 264-5011 or 311.