Suburban Legends About Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG)
Don’t let these kitchen myths come back to haunt your pipes:
There are some “Suburban Legends” about what can safely go down the drain, such as:
- Hot water will wash it away
- A little grease won’t hurt
- Dish soap makes it disappear
However, these myths are harmful to your pipes and the sewer system. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) build up inside the pipes and sewer line and, over time, can lead to serious clogs. Protect your pipes and our community’s sewer system by collecting fats, oils and grease in a disposable container and putting it in the trash. CAN IT. COOL IT. TRASH IT.
Employees from our Water/Wastewater team took part in a campaign to expose these “Suburban Legends” and remind you to never pour FOG down the drain.
MYTH: If I run hot water, grease will flow right through.
FACT: Hot water may melt grease temporarily, but as it travels through cooler pipes, it hardens and sticks to the inside of the pipe. Over time, it can cause a serious clog.
TRY INSTEAD: Wipe fat, oil and grease with a paper towel and throw it into the trash.
MYTH: Dish soap breaks down grease, so I can pour it down the drain.
FACT: Soap helps grease mix with water, but it doesn’t make the grease disappear. The grease will build up farther down the pipe and can cause a clog.
TRY INSTEAD: Wipe fat, oil, grease and food scraps off dishes with a paper towel and throw it away.
MYTH: My garbage disposal can handle grease.
FACT: A garbage disposal grinds foods into smaller pieces, but it doesn’t eliminate fat, oil or grease. The FOG still enters your plumbing and can cause clogs.
TRY INSTEAD: Put grease in a container and throw it away. Can it. Cool it. Trash it.
Help Prevent Sewer Overflows— Don’t Pour FOG Down the Drain
A large percentage of reported sewer system overflows in Gainesville are caused by sewers blocked with fats, oils and grease, known collectively as FOG, which builds up in sewer pipes over time. Sewer overflows can cause health hazards, home damage and contamination in the environment. Don’t pour FOG down the drain, and help us protect our environment and community by preventing sewer overflows.
Common sources of grease are lard, oil, shortening, butter and margarine. When these items are poured down the drain, they harden and build up in the sewer system, blocking large pipes. When these pipes clog, wastewater cannot pass through, so it spills out onto the ground. Raw sewage can be harmful to humans, pets and our local ecosystem. Wastewater cleanup and repairs are very expensive. Please help us protect your neighborhood and keep costs down by following these simple steps:
- Don’t pour fats, oils or grease down sink drains or into the toilet.
- Put fats, oils and grease into a container and discard in the garbage.
- Wipe cooled oil and grease off dishes and pans with a paper towel and put it in the garbage.
- Scrape food scraps from dishes into trash cans or garbage bags and dispose of properly.
Thank you for helping us protect our environment and community by preventing sewer overflows. Call 352-334-2711 to report wastewater overflows 24/7.
Waste Vegetable Oil Recycling
The Alachua County Hazardous Waste Collection Program now accepts residents’ waste vegetable-based liquid cooking oil for recycling. Any type of liquid vegetable oil (peanut, corn, canola, olive, etc.) qualifies. Take advantage of this FREE service and drop off your oil container to a location near you.
Additional resources: