| Don’t get caught up in the FOG, be Phoenix Water Smart this holiday season | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/water-services/2930 | Water Services | | 11/16/2023 5:45:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2930/Newsroom Article Image - FOG.png | | Don’t get caught up in the FOG, be Phoenix Water Smart this holiday season | <div class="ExternalClass8262D2E8AC4F45BB82EC5803A7D9E6B8"><html>
While you’re getting ready to cook those festive meals this holiday season, the <a href="/waterservices/envservices" target="_blank"><strong>Environmental Services Division</strong></a> at Phoenix Water wants to remind you to be mindful of what’s going down your drain.
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<div>Fats, oils, and grease, or FOG, are derived from plant and animal sources and are a by-product of cooking. When FOG is poured down the drain, it can stick to sewer pipe walls and harden, causing messy and costly backups not only at home, but in your surrounding neighborhood. This includes seemingly harmless foods like dairy products or salad dressings.</div>
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<div>"The Environmental Protection Agency finds that in almost half (47%) of sewer overflows, FOG is the culprit," said Christine Nuñez, Environmental Programs Coordinator with ESD. "Not only does FOG cause backups in the City’s sewer system but it is the No. 1 cause of household sewer backups."</div>
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<div>Don’t let FOG ruin your holiday fun. Here are some Phoenix Water Smart tips to avoid a sewer scare: <br></div><div><br></div>
<div>• Scrape off leftover food on plates, pots or pans into the trash. </div>
<div>• Before placing dirty plates in the dishwater, use a paper towel to remove excess oils and other wastes, then throw the towel away in the trash. </div>
<div>• Use a sink strainer to catch leftovers in the sink, then empty the contents of the strainer into the trash. </div>
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<div>Maintaining our sewer system is a shared responsibility. As part of the <a href="/waterservices/envservices/comminsp" target="_blank"><strong>Commercial Inspection</strong> <strong>Program</strong></a>, ESD staff educate and inspect commercial users like restaurants, schools or shopping malls to ensure compliance with Phoenix City Code Chapter 28 (Sewers). By doing so, this program serves as a preventative tool to help eliminate pollutants that can interfere with the wastewater collection system or treatment plant operations. </div>
<div><br></div><div>ESD is dedicated to protecting public health and the environment by maintaining compliance with environmental regulations for drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater quality. </div>
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<div><a href="/waterservicessite/Documents/Save_Our_Sewers_%20Flyer_2021_ENG_SPA.pdf" target="_blank"><strong>Learn more about FOG and other ways to save our sewers.</strong></a><br></div>
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<div><span style="font-size:13.3333px;"><strong>Media Contacts:</strong></span></div><div><br></div><div>Jimena Garrison<br></div><div>Public Information Officer</div><div>Water Services<br></div><div>480-390-1933 <br></div><div><a href="mailto:jimena.garrison@phoenix.gov" target="_blank"><strong>jimena.garrison@phoenix.gov</strong></a><br><br></div><div>Michael Gertzman<br></div><div>Sr. Public Information Officer <br></div><div>Water Services<br></div><div>602-534-1209 </div><div><a href="mailto:michael.gertzman@phoenix.gov" target="_blank"><strong>michael.gertzman@phoenix.gov</strong></a></div><br>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices | News | | water-services | Sewer overflow caused by FOG | Water Dept | | | | | Fats, oils, grease, FOG, sewer | Jimena Garrison | 480-390-1933 | | | | jimena.garrison@phoenix.gov | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/MediaContact/Attachments/106/Jimena_Garrison.jpg | | | | | | | | PHXWater | |
