This holiday season, Aqua is reminding customers that what they put down their drains directly impacts how their local wastewater systems operate– from the pipes that run from their homes and businesses to the treatment plants themselves. 

As customers plan their holiday menus and prepare to spend more time in the kitchen, Aqua would like to share the following tips to prevent clogged pipes by properly disposing of fats, oil, and grease:  

• Never pour cooking grease down sink drains or into toilets. 
• If homeowners have leftover cooking grease, carefully pour the warm, not hot, grease into a metal can, wait for it to cool, and dispose of it in the trash. 
• Keep strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids. 
• Scrape food scraps and grease into a trash can. 
• Discuss proper disposal of fats, oils and grease with your family, friends and neighbors to reduce community blockage.  

Contrary to popular belief, garbage disposals do not keep fat, oil, and grease out of plumbing systems or prevent clogs. While these items go down the drain as liquids, they solidify once cooled. Over time, this can completely block pipes and cause messy and costly raw sewage backups into homes and overflows into streets. 

Aqua also reminds customers to dispose of all wipes, even those labeled as “flushable,” in the trash. Wipes, tissues , and napkins do not break down like toilet paper and can cause backups in household plumbing and larger blockages in wastewater collection systems. 

Homeowners can view this animated video showing how they can prevent their pipes from clogging.  

Learn more at Aqua.