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A fat-free household

When cooking at home, avoid dumping fats, oils and grease down the drain. Instead, dispose of them in the trash in a disposable, sealed container.ÊCooking fats, oils and grease can clog drains and pipes in and away from your home, the same as they clog your arteries.

Fats, oils and grease that do not damage your in-home plumbing might still cause system build-up and lead to septic tank failure or sanitary sewer system overflows.ÊThe result is wastewater flowing into streets, and then running untreated into storm drains and rivers, lakes and streams.

Every time it rains, rainwater (known as stormwater runoff) flows off rooftops and lawns, down driveways and streets.ÊStormwater picks up pollutants and debris along the way. This can include such things as sediment (dirt), fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, cooking grease, heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, cadmium), leaves and grass clippings, pet waste and litter. All of these contaminants are carried by stormwater (now known as polluted stormwater runoff) to the nearest storm drain or drainage swale and are eventually delivered, untreated, into rivers, lakes and streams.ÊCooking fats, oils and grease are on the list of potential stormwater pollutants because they too often lead to septic and sewer system failure.

Fats, oils and grease are a menace to sewer pipes.ÊDisposed of improperly they can cause major problems in sewer systems and storm drains. Their sources include common things used in cooking like mayonnaise, butter, salad dressing, gravy, fryer oil, lard and olive oil.ÊFats, oils and grease cling to the inside of pipelines, building up over time and eventually causing complete blockage.

Dumping cooking fats, oils and grease down the drain is a common mistake but can turn into an expensive headache for the homeowner. In fact, costly home plumbing bills are often the result of grease-clogged pipelines.ÊResidential pipelines clog easily since they are only 2-4 inches in diameter, so grease should never be poured down the drain. If small amounts of grease accidentally get into your drain, flush them out immediately with cold water. Pouring hot water and detergent down the drain only breaks up grease temporarily. Disposing of grease down the toilet can cause sewer backups or septic tank failure.

By following a few easy tips, you can prevent costly fat, oil and grease blockages in your own plumbing system and help the Clean Water Campaign spread the word about reducing sewer system overflows, backups, and maintenance costs. Remember that fats, oils, and grease are not just bad for your arteries, they are bad for our collection systems, too.

• Cooking fats, oils and grease should be poured into an old milk carton, frozen juice container, or other non-recyclable package, and disposed of in the garbage.ÊDo not pour them directly into a trash bag since they can leak or spill on walkways or driveways when carried to outdoor trash cans or dumped into garbage trucks.

• Dishes and pots that are coated with greasy leftovers should be wiped clean with a disposable towel prior to washing in sinks or placing in dishwashers.

• Instead of putting fat trimmings from meat in the garbage disposal, throw it in the trash can.

For those who wish to learn more, the Clean Water Campaign, in partnership with P2AD, will be conducting a series of workshops called “You’re the Solution to Water Pollution.” The workshops accompany the popular brochure and poster series of the same name that show easy ways residents can use fertilizer and pesticides correctly as well as dispose of paint, cooking fats, oils and grease, cleaning chemicals and other materials used in the home.

One such workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Clayton County Water Authority Community Room, 1600 Battle Creek Road in Morrow.ÊThe speaker will be Kim Zimmerman of the Clayton County Water Authority. For more information about the workshop or to register call 404-463-3259 or go online to www.cleanwatercampaign.com.

Additional workshops are being planned for the month of August.Ê Please visit www.cleanwatercampaign.com for the latest details.

The Clean Water Campaign is a cooperative, multiagency public education initiative spearheaded by local governments in metro Atlanta, supported by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission.Ê Its mission is to build awareness of water quality problems and solutions in the 16-county district.ÊFor more information about the Clean Water Campaign, contact Kelley O'Brien at 404-463-3259.