by Cheryel Carpenter
November 21, 2003

Arlington, TX (November 20, 2003) – North Texans will soon be feasting on deliciously prepared fried turkey dinners with all the trimmings, but what they may be washing down the kitchen sinks or even down into the city storm drain system may cause North Texans heartburn.

All too often cooking oil, deep-frying oil, fats, and grease are improperly disposed of by washing oil down the plumbing system or by dumping it down the storm drain system. Improperly disposing of leftover frying oil may cause property damage, health hazards and environmental problems.

Commercial food preparation establishments and residents should never dispose of fried turkey grease and other cooking oil by dumping it into the storm drain system. Storm drains are the openings you see along curbs and in streets and parking lots. They collect rainwater and transport it through the storm water system to nearby creeks and streams. Water, trash and any other substances that enter storm drains do not go to a water treatment facility. Cooking and frying oils can pollute streams and creeks by forming a film on the water’s surface, which prevents oxygenation for aquatic life.

Pouring cooking oil and grease into kitchen sinks, floor drains or toilets can be costly to homeowners and the environment. Over time, oil and grease rinsed down the plumbing system builds up and eventually blocks the entire pipe, causing sewer back ups and overflows. As sewer pipes back up, sewage and food particles that accumulate can attract insects and other vermin and may create a potential health hazard. Property damage can result from sewage back ups resulting in expensive clean up and plumbing repairs. Clogged sewers can also lead to overflows. As sewage overflows onto the streets, it enters the storm drain system, where it is then carried straight into our local streams and creeks without any treatment. Polluted storm water runoff can lead to excessive and costly maintenance and clean up and could result in severe fines from State and Federal regulatory agencies.

Proper cooking oil disposal methods include:

• Small amounts of cooking oil, such as meat drippings, can be soaked up with a paper towel or poured into a sturdy closed-lid container, like a coffee can, and disposed of in the trash.
• Filter and freeze used cooking oil and reuse it for another meal.
• Dispose of large quantities of cooking oil and grease by contacting your nearest household hazardous waste collection station to find out if used cooking oil and grease is accepted. Residents of 26 North Texas cities can get rid of large quantities of used cooking oil and other leftover household chemicals at the Fort Worth Environmental Collection Center for free! Visit the web site at http://ci.fort-worth.tx.us/DEM/eccrules.htm  for directions and a complete list of what is accepted or call 817-871-5257.
• Residents of Plano may call Customer Service 972-769-4150 to schedule a free special collection at your home. The Environmental Waste Services Division will recycle it. Cooking oil needs to be labeled, contained in rigid plastic containers, and secured with screw top lids for transporting.

North Texans, this Thanksgiving please don’t feed the storm drain! Learn more about proper disposal of cooking oils and grease by visiting www.dfwstormwater.com.

What is the NCTCOG? The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to assist them in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG's purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions.
616 Six Flags Drive, Centerpoint Two; P.O. Box 5888, Arlington, TX 76005-5888