Fats, oils and grease are a menace to sewer pipes.�Disposed of improperly

they can cause major problems in sewer systems and storm drains. Their sources

include common things used in cooking like mayonnaise, butter, salad dressing,

gravy, fryer oil, lard and olive oil.�Fats, oils and grease cling to the

inside of pipelines, building up over time and eventually causing complete

blockage.

Dumping cooking fats, oils and grease down the drain is a common mistake

but can turn into an expensive headache for the homeowner. In fact, costly

home plumbing bills are often the result of grease-clogged pipelines.�Residential

pipelines clog easily since they are only 2-4 inches in diameter, so grease

should never be poured down the drain. If small amounts of grease accidentally

get into your drain, flush them out immediately with cold water. Pouring

hot water and detergent down the drain only breaks up grease temporarily.

Disposing of grease down the toilet can cause sewer backups or septic tank

failure.

blockages in your own plumbing system and help the Clean Water Campaign spread

the word about reducing sewer system overflows, backups, and maintenance

costs. Remember that fats, oils, and grease are not just bad for your arteries,

they are bad for our collection systems, too.

- Cooking fats, oils and grease should be poured into an old milk carton,

frozen juice container, or other non-recyclable package, and disposed of

in the garbage.�Do not pour them directly into a trash bag since they can

leak or spill on walkways or driveways when carried to outdoor trash cans

or dumped into garbage trucks.

- Dishes and pots that are coated with greasy leftovers should be wiped

clean with a disposable towel prior to washing in sinks or placing in dishwashers.

- Instead of putting fat trimmings from meat in the garbage disposal,

throw it in the trash can.

For those who wish to learn more, the Clean Water Campaign, in partnership

with P2AD, will be conducting a series of workshops called "You're

the Solution to Water Pollution." The workshops accompany the popular

brochure and poster series of the same name that show easy ways residents

can use fertilizer and pesticides correctly as well as dispose of paint,

cooking fats, oils and grease, cleaning chemicals and other materials used

in the home.

One such workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 6-7:30 p.m. at

the Clayton County Water Authority Community Room, 1600 Battle Creek Road

in Morrow.�The speaker will be Kim Zimmerman of the Clayton County Water

Authority. For more information about the workshop or to register call 404-463-3259

or go online to www.cleanwatercampaign.com.

Additional workshops are being planned for the month of August.� Please

visit www.cleanwatercampaign.com for the latest details.

The Clean Water Campaign is a cooperative, multiagency public education

initiative spearheaded by local governments in metro Atlanta, supported by

the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and managed by the

Atlanta Regional Commission.� Its mission is to build awareness of water

quality problems and solutions in the 16-county district.�For more information

about the Clean Water Campaign, contact Kelley O'Brien at 404-463-3259.