As Sacramento brace themselves for the annual feast of Thanksgiving, the Sacramento Department of Utilities presents a timely reminder to locals: Be smart about disposing of cooking fats, oils, and grease. While these are inevitable byproducts of holiday cooking, they can also wreak havoc on plumbing and sewer systems if not handled properly, as reported by the Sacramento City Express.
The concern is not just theoretical. Ill-managed grease can cause serious backups, which, according to Lisa Moretti, a senior engineer with the department, "Sewer backups can sometimes become so severe that they force people to leave their homes." No one wants a plumbing crisis to be the main event of their Thanksgiving, yet that is the risk run by anyone careless with their kitchen waste. This advice, obtained by Sacramento City Express, centers on a four-step protocol designed to keep sewers clear and residents thankful for a disaster-free holiday.
The steps outlined by Moretti are straightforward:
- Pour fats, oils, and grease into a disposable container,
- Scrape down any remaining residue from pots and pans,
- Seal the container and wait for the contents to cool,
- Dispose of it in the trash.
It's a simple but crucial process. Moretti busts the myth that hot water can safely escort grease down the drain, warning that belief in that would only lead to more expensive repairs later on. And while kitchen scraps like turkey leftovers and veggie peels don't pose the same threat to pipes, they do belong somewhere specific. The city staff have reminded residents they should go in a City organic waste bin, supporting a greener disposal system, as per the Sacramento City Express. As you gather with friends and family this season, a little kitchen savviness can help keep your celebration from going down the drain—literally.
