Don't Be a Turkey: Don't Pour Grease Down the Sink

DECATUR, Ga. – Don't be a turkey when cleaning up your kitchen this holiday season. Pouring fats, oils and grease (FOG) down the sink can put a strain on your drain and cause blockages or sanitary sewer overflows.

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is reminding residents how to properly dispose of turkey grease. When FOG is poured down the sink, it coats the inside of plumbing pipes and empties into the county's sewer system. The FOG then hardens and eventually causes sanitary sewer overflows, where wastewater can back up into homes, businesses or manholes.

DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has shared the following tips to avoid putting fats, oils and grease down the drain:

• Dispose of all cooking oils in a heat-safe container, cover it securely, freeze it and then throw it in the trash. Do not pour down the sink or toilet.
• Scrape plates and cookware before washing. Do not throw scraps of any kind down the sink.
• Wipe excess grease from all pots, plates and pans with a paper towel before washing.
• Throw all paper towels and disposable wipes in the trash.

Fats, oils and grease cause a disproportional number of sanitary sewer overflows in DeKalb County. In 2018, there were 63 FOG related spills and there have been 72 this year. 

For more information, visit www.dekalbwatershed.com.