Protect your pipes this Thanksgiving: keep fats, oils and grease out of the drain

As families gather around the table this Thanksgiving, residents are reminded that properly disposing of fats, oils and grease (FOG) is a simple way to protect what matters most: your home, your family and our community.

“Pouring cooking fats, oils and grease down the drain may seem harmless, but it’s actually a leading cause of sewer blockages and overflows in wastewater systems,” says Kit Caufield, Manager, Engineering Services with the Regional District of Central Okanagan. “Over time, grease builds up inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow and creating problems not only for homeowners, but across the entire sewer system. These blockages can damage household plumbing, result in costly repairs and interfere with critical wastewater infrastructure, including sewer lift stations.”

When disposing of fats, oils and grease this Thanksgiving and year-round, residents should:

• Use a strainer or drain basket to catch food scraps before they enter the pipes.
• Pour fully cooled cooking grease into a large can with a lid. To reuse the can, line it with a cooking bag.
• Once the grease has cooled and solidified, place the sealed can in the garbage.
• Bring up to two 20-litre pails of used cooking oil for recycling to the Glenmore Landfill. Commercial quantities are not accepted.

Remember that fatty or oily food waste, such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, sauces and dairy-based leftovers should also be placed in the garbage, not poured down the drain.

By keeping fats, oils and grease out of the sink, residents can help prevent costly plumbing problems, protect public infrastructure and keep wastewater flowing safely for everyone in their community.

For more information about what not to flush and protecting our source water, visit rdco.com/donotflush