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Grease and the Sewer System

Grease FAQ

Fats, Oils and Grease Ordinance

Grease and Your Sewer System

Did you know that grease from cooking is one of the major causes of residential sewer main clogs resulting in sewer spills?

Cooking oil and grease are wastes that the city's sewer system cannot handle and should not be discarded down the drain. Grease, fat and oil can clog sewer lines, causing sewage back-ups and flooding. Sewage back-ups can damage personal and public property. By following a few simple steps, you can help prevent costly sewer spills in the future.

• Small amounts of cooking oil (this includes salad oil, frying oil and bacon fat) should be poured into an old milk carton, frozen juice container, or other non-recyclable package, and disposed of in the garbage.
  
  
• Dishes and pots that are coated with greasy leftovers should be wiped clean with a paper towel prior to washing or placing in the dishwasher.
  
  
• Instead of placing fat trimmings from meat down the garbage disposal, place them in a plastic bag and discard in the garbage can.

DO NOT dump cooking oil, poultry fat and grease into the kitchen sink or the toilet bowl.

DO place cooled cooking oil, poultry and meat fats in sealed containers and discard with your regular garbage.