PRESS RELEASES - DECEMBER 2006

Do the Right Thing by Decreasing the FOG
Don’t Let Fats, Oil, Grease (FOG) and Food Scraps Clog Pipes

December 21, 2006

Many Arlington families will be feasting on turkey dinners with all the trimmings this holiday season. The Arlington Water Utilities Department reminds Arlington residents to properly dispose of fats, oils, grease and food scraps to avoid clogged pipes.

Every year there are sanitary sewer overflows. Acting Water Resource Services Manager Joe Gildersleeve says that overflows occur when fats, oils, grease and food scraps accumulate in the sewer system. These materials act like an adhesive and can restrict wastewater flow.
The constriction process is similar to the plaque that can develop in the human arteries, which minimizes or stops blood flow. Wastewater begins to back up in the system when the flow is restricted. Raw sewage can back up into homes, yards, parks, and streets, creating potential environmental health hazards. Cleanup can become costly and possibly result in fines to the City by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. These costs may have an impact on the City of Arlington water utility rates.

There are several ways for you to keep these materials out of the sewer system. For example, a paper towel can be used to soak up small amounts of cooking oil. Cooking grease can be poured into a container such as a coffee can with paper towels or absorbent materials and placed in the trash. Large quantities of cooking oil and grease can be taken to the Fort Worth Environmental Collection Center at 6400 Bridge St. in Fort Worth. Call 817-871-5257 for information or go to www.dfwstormwater.com or www.ci.arlington.tx.us/fog.

Large amounts of used cooking oil from fried turkeys can be filtered, frozen and reused for the preparation of another meal. To place large amounts of oil in the trash, kitty litter can be used to absorb the oil, which can then be placed in the garbage.

Table scraps can be placed in the garbage. Smaller food items rinsed from utensils can be caught for disposal in the trash with the use of drain baskets and strainers. Food items such as vegetables and fruit can be placed in a backyard composting pile.

The Water Utilities Department is asking everyone to do their part to reduce sanitary sewer overflows. For more information about the proper disposal of fats, oil, grease and food scraps, call the Arlington Water Utilities Department at 817-459-6600.