Avoid Sewer Backups Caused by Thanksgiving Food

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Properly Dispose of Fats, Oils and Grease

INDIANAPOLIS – As you prepare to cook for Thanksgiving, it’s important to be mindful of how the foods you dispose of could affect your plumbing and the sewer system near your home. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are found in many Thanksgiving staples like turkey, stuffing and gravy. When washed down the drain, FOG can cause sewer backups and necessitate costly repairs to your home plumbing system.

FOG enters the sewer system in a liquid state when it’s washed down a drain or a garbage disposal or flushed down the toilet. FOG solidifies and attaches to the sewer system’s pipes and joints, which, over time, can block the pipe and cause a backup. Reducing FOG is easy to do and well worth your time.

How to dispose of FOG: 

  • Pour fats, oils or grease into a small container. Once it solidifies, place the container in the trash.
  • Wipe grease off pots, pans and dishes before washing them.
  • For restaurants or other food preparation establishments, FOG can be a valuable resource as a recyclable. FOG can be sold to rendering companies for use in soaps, fertilizers and animal feed.
  • Do not put used oil, oil-based paints, solvents or other chemicals down sewer lines or storm drains. Dispose of them at an Indianapolis ToxDrop

Citizens must respond to FOG blockages with urgency, including removal of the blockage and investigation into the source of origin. Our response may result in fines and penalties, as well as costs associated with FOG removal and sewer cleaning.

About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 900,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities for the benefit of customers and the community.

Media Contact Information
Laura O'Brien
Phone: 317-519-1515
Email: media@citizensenergygroup.com