Beware of "F.O.G." Fat, Oil, and Grease

As the holiday season approaches, the Board of Directors for Grand Lakes Municipal Utility District No. 1 would like to remind residents about an important issue that can negatively impact your sewer systems: F.O.G. – fat, oil, and grease. While we all enjoy festive feasts and seasonal cooking, improper disposal of these substances can lead to serious and costly plumbing problems for your community.

What is F.O.G.?

Fat: Peanut butter, shortening. meat trimmings, uncooked poultry skin, dairy such as milk, sour cream, and ice cream. All fats are solid at room temperature.
Oil: Vegetable oils, salad dressings, and cooking oils, which are typically liquid at room temperature
Grease: Gravy, mayonnaise, melted meat fat such as bacon grease, boiled poultry skin. Typically, these are liquid when cooking and then solidify once cooled.

How does F.O.G. affect my pipes?

When F.O.G. enters your drains, it can accumulate and cause blockages, restricting the amount of wastewater that exits your home. This can result in sewer pipes backing up, which could cause untreated sewage to flow into your home, business, and even the environment. If sewage does enter the environment, it leads to contaminated waterways and can become a human health hazard. This raw sewage carries a variety of bacteria that are harmful to human health, fish, and wildlife.

How to dispose of F.O.G. properly:

• Let the Fat, oil, or grease cool in the pan
• If it’s a small amount, scrape it into the trash using paper towels to wipe out excess grease.
• Wash pots and pans in the sink as usual.
• For large amounts pour into a sealable can or bottle then dispose at a local recycle center.
• Use strainers in the sink to catch scraps and other solids.
• Solutions like Oil-Dri Absorbent Clay® or cat litter can assist in capturing and drying out oil, fat, and grease, thus making it safe to throw in the trash.
• Please remember hot water and soap DO NOT eliminate F.O.G. because it will eventually reform in pipes.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two times of year when F.O.G. clogs create the most problems for districts due to all the heavy cooking and frying turkeys. As we celebrate the season with family and friends, let’s all do our part to ensure that our plumbing systems remain healthy and functional. By following these simple tips and spreading the word about F.O.G., we can prevent costly repairs and protect our environment and infrastructure.

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