They talked about our sewage substation (near the entrance of Spring Pond Circle), and how at the end of last summer they had to come out every week to clear out the ejector pump.
This is a big problem, and it's caused by what we put down our drains and in our toilets. We risk having the station back up - that would be even worse!
They offered to come back during our Annual Meeting for a presentation to all homeowners, but they also asked us to spread the word now, so that we can immediately start to reduce what goes down the drains.
FOG = Fats, Oil, Grease
The majority of sewer backups and overflows caused by fats, oils, and grease (FOG) originate in residential areas. Many of us think that using our garbage disposal or hot water, lets all this flow safely. But the hot water cools quickly and eventually builds up in the main sewer lines.You can help prevent clogs by learning about FOG and how to dispose of it. Some common sources of FOG include:
- Meat
- Fatty food scraps
- Cooking oil
- Lard
- Salad dressings
- Creamy or oily sauces
- Marinades
- Milk and dairy products
- Shortening
- Butter or margarine
- Peanut butter
This is what happens to our sewer pipes when Fats, Oil, and Grease build up.
What can you do to help?
To help reduce the amount of Fats, Oil, and Grease entering into our sewer pipes following the below practice can help:
Can it!
Once the oil or fats has cooled- put the content in a can and then dispose of it in the trash.
Scrape it!
After cooking and your pot or pan has cooled off. Before washing it, wipe it out and throw away the content.
Trash it!
Never put fatty, greasy, oily food down the drain! Put it in the trash. This is the best way to dispose of it!
Can it! Scrape it! Trash it!
"Flushable" Wipes Should Never Be Flushed!
Many of us like to use Baby Wipes or other "flushable" wipes. While these may not clog your toilet, they don't degrade quickly, and they build up in our sewer substation and clog the ejector blades. Workers from the Sewer District must then lift up the pump, remove the wipes, and put the pump back. They showed us a picture from last summer with our pump clogged with wipes and grease.If this pump gets clogged, it could cause a huge mess right in our neighborhood.
What clogs our sewer station!
Only Flush the 3 P's
The folks from the Sewer District reminded us that only 3 things should ever be flushed down the toilet:
- Paper
- Pee
- Poo
And in particular never flush these so-called "flushable wipes". Instead, dispose of them in the trash.
Only 3 things should go in the toilet - nothing else!
Never flush "flushable" wipes!
Here's some additional information from the York Sewer District:
https://www.yorksewerdistrict.org/fog
