Waste water department workers get more call-outs related to sewer backups on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year, Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen said this week.
“We just want to remind everyone to stay aware of the materials they are putting into the waste water system, either through the toilet, sink or garbage disposal, which can cause problems,” Lauritsen said. “The main culprits are wipes, even the ones that say they are flushable, and what we refer to as FOG, or fats, oils and grease. But many people aren’t aware that food scraps, such as potato peels and things like that, can cause a lot of problems too.”
Where to put it all? In the trash, Lauritsen says.
“We say this often, but it’s important: Only two things should be flushed down the toilet: human waste and toilet paper,” he said. “Everything else should be thrown in the trash. If it’s hot, like oils and grease, pour it into a container to cool and thicken, and then throw it in the trash. We want everyone to enjoy their family gathering without the experience of a sewer backup.”
Ways to keep FOG out of the system:
- Scrape and wipe dishes with your napkin before washing.
- Minimize food waste through the garbage disposals — scrape it to the trash
- Heavy grease: Cool it. Can it. Trash it.
For more information, see Don’t Flush!