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Water Tip: Don't Pour Oil and Grease Down Your Drain

Disposing of fats, oils and grease (FOG) in the sewer system can clog pipes and cause untreated wastewater to back up into homes and businesses.

by Carol Flake

Wastewater not treated enough to be put on golf courses gets dumped into the Trinity River. Village Creek Water Reclamation Facility.
Credit: Djakhangir Zakhidov

Disposing of fats, oils and grease (FOG) into the sewer system can clog pipes and cause untreated wastewater to back up into homes and businesses. The San Jacinto River Authority has posted a warning about pouring materials down kitchen drains that contain oil and grease, pointing out that FOG can also damage septic systems and contaminate local waters.

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