Turkeys Clog the Sewer!

The rains have returned, the leaves are falling, and the holiday season will soon be upon us.  Many of our customers will be preparing holiday feasts.  But be warned - did you know your turkey can clog your sewer or septic pipes? 

Cooking certain foods such as turkeys can release fats, oils and grease, also known as FOG. Sources of FOG include waste cooking oil, meat scraps and bones, gravies, oils, shortening and butter. The FOG collects in the pipes and hardens over time, and brings the potential to clog your sewer or septic pipes.  Hot water may help the grease get down the drain, but as soon as the grease cools it starts forming layers inside your sewer or septic pipes.

Here’s the skinny on what you can do to have fat free sewers this holiday season and all year round:

Scrape vegetable food scraps from plates into the garbage can or food recycling or composting bin if you have one.  Meat scraps and poultry bones do not compost well and in most instances should be discarded in the trash.

Wipe all plates, pots and pans with a paper towel prior to putting them in the dishwasher, and dispose of it in the trash. This will remove any FOG that would normally go down the drain.

Pour waste cooking oil, frying oil, gravies, and sauces into disposable containers and let them cool before placing them in the trash can. 

Minimize the use of your garbage disposal, which adds large solids to your pipes. It is best to only grind up vegetable material that is not coated with grease or gravy.

Use a sink strainer to catch food wastes during dishwashing, and wipe the debris out of the strainer with a paper towel and put it in the trash.

Best wishes this holiday season from all of us here at the Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District!