City of Stockton News Release

Connie Cochran
Public Information Officer

(209) 937-8827
connie.cochran@ci.stockton.ca.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Holiday Fats and Oils Clog Sewer Drains
Avoid Clogged Sewer Drains with Proper Fat, Oil and Grease Disposal

(Stockton, CA) - The City of Stockton’s Municipal Utilities Department Wastewater Division encourages residents to properly dispose of cooking grease during the holiday season - and all year long.

Many celebrate the holiday season with the preparation of traditional holiday feasts, such as turkey, ham, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and, let’s not forget, desserts. As delicious as these foods may be, they are prepared with cooking oil, grease, butter, and render fat - all of which can cause sewer back-ups if they enter the sanitary sewer system.

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) used for cooking, or as a result of cooking, can wreak havoc on sanitary sewer drains and the wastewaster system if not disposed of properly. Fats, oils and grease should never be poured down a sink drain or toilet. If this does occur, it increases the potential of clogged sewer drains which may result in costly plumbing issues for residents or sanitary sewer overflows. Sanitary sewer overflows occur when sewage overflowing or released from a manhole enters into the street or waterways via storm drains.

Sanitary sewer overflows are a public health concern and cause environmental problems.

“City crews will respond to correct sanitary sewer overflows,” said Mark Madison, Director of the Municipal Utilities Department. “However, prevention is always the best course of action, and proper disposal of fats, oils and grease, will avoid many plumbing and sewer problems” added Madison.

Cooled and solidified cooking grease or oil should be placed in a sealed container, such as a coffee can, and placed in the solid waste garbage bin. Other tips to avoid FOG related clogged sewer drains:

• Avoid pouring cooking grease down the sink drain or toilet
• Use a paper towel or napkin to absorb cooking oil or grease before washing
• Scrape food and grease from dishes into the garbage prior to washing
• Avoid placing food that contains fats, oil and grease into the garbage disposal

To report sanitary sewer overflows, please call (209) 937-8341. For more information regarding FOG, visit: www.stocktongov.com/mud.

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