Keeping fatbergs from clogging sewer lines

A black family serves themselves a meal at the kitchen counter

By Melissa Reeves

One of the best things about the holidays is all the delicious food. Whether you’re the chef or an eager helper, it’s important to be cautious with what you’re putting down the kitchen drain while you’re preparing that big meal. Beware of FOG and avoid the clog.

Fats, oils and grease, or FOG, should never be poured down the sink. While many people know this, it can be a surprise when you learn just how many foods that applies to. FOG is found in:

  • Meat fats
  • Lard
  • Cooking oil
  • Shortening
  • Butter and margarine
  • Food scraps
  • Baked goods
  • Sauces
  • Dairy products

Why does it matter?

When fats, oils and grease are poured down the sink, grease sticks to the inside of sewer pipes where it cools and solidifies, congealing and building up over time, restricting or clogging wastewater flow by creating fatbergs.

Fatbergs clog the sewer lines, combing with other items that should not be flushed (such as wet wipes). This results in sewer blockages and overflows that can cause health hazards by harboring dangerous bacteria, including Listeria and E.coli.

Fatbergs may also cause expensive property damage and threaten the environment.

So, what should you do?

Store it, don’t pour it. You can collect fats, oils and grease in a tin can or jar for disposal once they have cooled down.

Recycle used or unused cooking oil, like turkey fryer oil, at the Johnson County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 5901 Jim Bills Road, Mission, by “appointment only.” Schedule a drop off at jocogov.org/hhw or by calling 913-715-6907.

The HHW site is located just off Foxridge Drive and Lamar Avenue within the gates of the Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility.

In addition to properly disposing of FOG, wipe dishes, pots and pans with paper towels and throw the towels in the trash instead of trying to rinse them in the sink. Adding water to fats, oils and grease does not make them less of a hazard.

Learn more about what you can do to avoid the FOG at jocogov.org/fog.

Melissa Reeves is community relations manager at Johnson County Wastewater.