January 28, 2010 | Story by: Matt Young | Categories: Environment, News
Cary, N.C. – The town has notified CaryCitizen that an abundance of grease led to a 1,723-gallon sanitary sewer overflow from a surcharging manhole near the 900 block of Hamshire Court. An observant citizen contacted the town around 9 a.m. on January 25. Unfortunately the waste reached an unnamed tributary of Walnut Creek. No fish kill was observed.
“Despite heavy rains, our crews were able to quickly locate and clear the blockage,” said Town of Cary’s Chief of Utility Maintenance Sam Tingler. “We encourage residents to participate in the Town’s Residential Waste Cooking Oil Disposal Program to reduce these problems in the future.”
Hal Goodtree reported on the proper process for grease waste disposal for CaryCitizen in late December.
To repeat: the Town of Cary last summer launched a full-time, safe disposal option for residential waste cooking oils. Cary residents can now collect their cooking oils, fats and greases in a sealable container and when at least a half gallon has been saved, contact the Town to schedule a pickup.
The first of its kind known in the state, the program is aimed at reducing sewer blockage/over flows, accidental spills and disposals in landfills. Since 2006, fats, oils and greases contributed to more than 20,000 gallons of untreated wastewater being discharged into Cary area streams, creeks and lakes.
The Clean Water Act requires public notice in the form of a news release issued by public works operators within 48 hours of the detection of a wastewater overflow of 1,000 gallons or greater that also reaches surface waters.
Visit the Town website for more information about Fats, Oils and Grease Control.
Leslie
January 29, 2010 at 11:24 am
FAT problem for sure. I use the Town’s fat pick-up service. It’s easy and grease gets turned into bio-fuel.
Winston Hooker Sr.
January 29, 2010 at 11:49 am
I was a hospital engineering director in 5 hospitals.
Clogged sewage lines by grease was an ongoing problem.
The culprits usually were grease from the kitchens combining with disposable surgical supplies like gloves and masks thrown into the toilets by residents which was verboten. The problem occurs mostly from animal fats which are coverted into grease and has a solidification temperature above ambient temperatures. Cooking oils usually don’t create so much of a problem as they don’t turn into solids at room temperatures but if the sewer line temperature falls too low, it can be. Bacon grease, butter, etc. solidify at higher temps. It is a horrible problem to remove it once it plugs up a sewer line. I had to use live steam to melt the stuff. This just moves the stuff on down the line to sewer mains. The best solution is the one you mentioned in the story: Collect these greases and oils and don’t put them in the sewer.
Hal Goodtree
January 29, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Thanks for the info, Winston!
Pingback: Sewer Overflow Caused By Grease And Debris | CaryCitizen