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.

Coyotes can be a threat to cats and small dogs.

Coyotes and foxes have been spotted in the area. These critters, perhaps Table Rock’s wildest neighbors, are looking for the chuck wagon, and they may be checking out your yard.

“Snow brings predators out of the mountains to the lower elevations to search for food,” says Robert Baker, a member of the board for the Table Rock Homeowners Association.

“The important thing is to keep them wild,” says Ken Gruver, Wildlife Services assistant state director for Washington, in a Union-Bulletin article. “Don’t try to feed them. If you see them, run them off, scream at them. Keep them wild.”

The animals rarely pose a threat to people, according to the Animal Humane Society (AHS), but they may target small dogs and cats that are left alone outdoors. Be sure to keep your pets safe so they don’t end up being snacks.

To discourage coyotes or foxes from coming around, the AHS recommends:

• Do not feed them.
• Keep all dog and cat food inside, especially at night.
• Secure garbage cans with tight fitting lids; preferably keep them in a garage or enclosure so they can’t be tipped.
• Keep compost in a fenced area or a large secure container, not open piles.
• Clean up around bird feeders. Coyotes will find and eat bird seed on the ground.
• Don’t let your pets free roam outdoors.  Also watch your pets while outside.
• If you see a coyote or fox, make lots of noise and scare it away – don’t let them become habituated to people.

For more information about coyotes in Washington State, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.