Sewers, Stormdrains & Wastewater Treatment

Sewer Public Benefit Program Education Topics

Proper Grease Disposal

Fats, oils, and greases aren’t just bad for your arteries and waistline; they are bad for the sewer too! Sewer overflows and backups can cause health hazards, damage home interiors, and threaten the environment. An increasingly common cause of overflow in sewer pipes is blockages caused by grease. Grease gets into the sewer from household drains as well as poorly maintained grease interceptors in restaurants and other businesses.

Most of us know grease as a byproduct of cooking. Grease is found in things such as meats, sauces, gravies, salad dressings, deep-fried Danishes, dairy products, soups, chili, pastas, pastries, butter, and margarine.

The EASIEST way to solve the grease problem and prevent overflows is to keep it out of the sewer system in the first place!

Follow these three easy steps for proper grease disposal:

1. Pour cooled oils and grease into an old glass jar or can and dispose of it in the trash.
2. Remove excess grease left on cookware with a paper towel and dispose of it in the trash. Also scrape leftover food scraps from dishes and cookware into the trash.
3. Tell your family and friends about protecting their home and preserving their environment through the proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease.

NEVER pour grease down the drain, collecting your grease in a container is the best thing to do.

Proper Pharmaceutical Disposal

There are many safe disposal options to keep pharmaceuticals off the street and out of our waterways. When prescription drugs are flushed down the drain, they often pass through wastewater treatment systems because more advanced technology is required to remove them.

Click Here for simple steps to dispose of these medications safely and properly.

In addition to safe home disposal options, the DEA and local police departments sponsor local Drug Take Back Events in the City and surrounding areas.

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