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Think at the Sink! Help Prevent Clogs/Blockages in the Sewer System

Sewer overflows can cause major health hazards, costly cleanups and environmental damage. Raw or partially treated sewage can back up into homes or flow into area streets, parks, yards, lakes and streams. This usually involves hefty repair bills for homeowners and increased operational costs for sewer service providers.

In many cases, sewer issues are caused by fats, rags, oils and grease, which clog pipes. Think at the sink before disposing of butter, margarine, cooking oils, sauces, dairy products and greasy leftovers. Why? Fats, oils and grease don't mix well with water and easily adhere to other materials, such as underground pipes. When washed down the drain, these substances can solidify and stick to the pipe's interior. Over time the grease can build up and cause blockages or breaks in the pipe. Flushing rags, wipes, diapers, paper towels, cotton balls, etc. down the toilet can build up in the sewer system causing costly clogs and backups. While some of these items may be labeled as "flushable" they are NOT! Dispose of FROG (Fats, Rags, Oils and Grease) items properly by placing them in the trash.

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Grease Disposal Myths

Myth: It's OK to pour fats, oils and grease down the drain if there is just a small amount of it.
Fact: Even the smallest amounts can cause issues over time. The best way to dispose of cooking oils and grease is to pour it into a heat-safe container and throw it away in the trash or store it in the freezer for later use.

Myth: It's OK to pour fats, oils and grease down the drain if I use the garbage disposal.
Fact: The garbage disposal only grinds up items into smaller pieces before passing them into the wastewater pipes.

Myth: It's OK to pour fats, oils and grease down the drain if I chase it down with dish soap.
Fact: Although soap does break up grease, it loses its effectiveness downstream, leaving grease to solidify on pipe walls.

Myth: It's OK to pour fats, oils and grease down the drain if I run hot water.
Fact: The same hot water used to dissolve grease from dishes and cookware and into the drain will eventually cool and cause the grease to harden elsewhere in the piping system.

Myth: It's OK to pour fats, oils and grease down the drain if the oil is at room temperature.
Fact: Liquid cooking oils, such as canola and olive, float on water and easily adhere to pipe interiors. Also, they can collect on food particles and other solid substances and cause blockages in the lines.

Find a Used Cooking Oil Collection Site
You will be happy to know that the contribution of used cooking oil will be re-used to produce clean burning biodiesel. Call 850-891-5233 or 850-891-5201 for more information.

Rooting Out Potential Problems

Tree and shrub roots also cause clogs and damage to sewer and septic tank lines. Most roots thrive in the warm, moist environment of underground pipes, entering through cracks and often growing to the point of causing blockages. If not removed, the roots can eventually break the pipe and cause the line to collapse. Before landscaping, determine the location of sewer lines and or drainfields. You may also wish to consult with a nursery or gardener to find out how a plant's roots will grow so that you avoid planting trees and shrubs near underground pipes and drainfields.
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