Keep Our Sewers Fat Free

baconBecause excessive amounts of grease can cause damage to the Village’s wastewater treatment facilities and sewer lines, the Village recently amended its code of ordinances to promote better enforcement of grease trap inspections in local restaurants. But it’s not just restaurants that contribute to the amount of grease and oil in the sewer system – local residents can follow a few simple steps to help put Roselle’s sewers on a “fat-free diet”.

Grease is often washed into the plumbing system through the kitchen sink. Over time, grease can build up and block pipes. Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system, they only shred solid material into smaller pieces.

What can residents do to help? The easiest way to solve grease problems and help prevent overflows of raw sewage is to keep this material out of the sewer system in the first place:

  • Never pour fats, oils, or grease down sink drains or into toilets.
  • Pour all cooled cooking fats, oils and grease that will harden (e.g., bacon grease or meat drippings) into an old milk carton, can or container with a lid and dispose of it in the garbage.
  • Mix small volumes of liquid grease with an absorbent material such as cat litter, place in a lidded container, and dispose of it in the garbage.
  • Scrape greasy food scraps from trays, plates, pots and pans into the garbage, not into the garbage disposal.
  • Put baskets/strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps.
  • Do not use warm water and soap to wash grease down the drain.
  • Speak with your friends and neighbors about the problem of fats, oils and grease in the sewer system and about how to keep it out.
These steps can help avoid unpleasant raw sewage cleanups and reduce increases in operation and maintenance costs for Roselle’s wastewater plants. Please contact the Wastewater Department at (630) 980-2024 with questions.