The City of Laurel is asking residents and business owners to be conscientious about what they let go down their drains

Recently, Brent Shelby of Suez reached out to the city to ask for help in raising awareness about a growing problem lurking in the city’s sewer systems. “We have been fighting a large amount of sewer stop ups across the city over the past few weeks,” Shelby explained. According to Shelby the majority of the stop ups have been caused by grease being disposed of down the drain. “Households, businesses, and restaurants are pouring grease down the drain,” he explained. “These colder nights have it solidifying.”

Regardless of existing or future weather conditions, grease should NEVER be poured down a drain or be allowed to go down the drain. Before washing greasy dishes, for example, allow them to cool so that the grease and fat can solidify. From there, you can wipe the solid grease away with a paper towel and throw it in the trash. Dishes can then be soaked in hot water with a detergent designed to separate or better dissolve the remaining grease before it goes down the drain in your sink or dishwasher.

When heavy amounts of grease build up in the lines, it causes build up in the sewer’s lift stations and produces “extreme wear and tear on pumps, motors, and seal kits in the wastewater department,” Shelby explained. Not only does this harm the equipment, it can also lead to stop ups, slow running drains, and backups.

Please note that grease can also clog and damage plumbing in homes and businesses that use septic tanks as well.