As seen in this photo (not from Walla Walla), fats, oils and grease build up inside sewer pipes, restricting and possibly blocking the flow of waste.
There’s a FOG problem at the sewer pump station that serves Table Rock, and your help is needed, says George Bell, street supervisor for the City of Walla Walla.
FOG stands for fats, oils and grease. As these substances flow through the sewer system, they build up in pipes and eventually cause problems.
For example, blockages already have been occurring at the sewer pump station located along the west side of Cottonwood Road just north of Russell Creek. This pump station collects waste from the Table Rock, Triple Creek, Shangri La and Costello neighborhoods.
“Most of the grease was coming from the south, which only serves Table Rock,” says George Bell, street supervisor for the City of Walla Walla.
Garbage disposals and dishwashers, although convenient, are part of the problem. Disposals, for example, grind up meat and vegetables, creating grease, which goes down the drain. Dishwashers generally use very hot water, which helps strip grease from dishes. But the liquid grease cools as it moves down the line. Then it begins sticking to pipe walls.
Even flushable wipes are more durable than toilet paper and can contribute to blockages.
Flushable wipes add to the problem. More durable than toilet paper, they catch in greasy pipes and slowly build blockages. They also stick in pump impellers at lift stations and require removal by hand, Bell says.
The City of Walla Walla will be mailing out more information about FOG and what Table Rock homeowners can do to prevent sewage backups, Bell says.
In the meantime, following these tips can help reduce sewer problems:
- In the kitchen, only water should go down the drain. Food and grease should not.
- Pour leftover hot grease into a jar. Let it cool, seal it and freeze it. Then throw it into the trash.
- Scrape pots, pans and dishes. Then use a paper towel to wipe out the rest. Throw the scrapings and paper towels into the trash. Coffee grounds can also be used to soak up oils.
- Dispose of rags, flushable and nonflushable wipes, razor blades, toilet deodorants, dental floss and other nonbiodegradable products into the trash.
- Tell friends and neighbors about the sewer problems caused by sending fats, oils and grease down the drain.
VIDEO LINK:
Keep It Clear – See for yourself how FOG affects sewer systems in this 9-minute video program from the BBC.