The holiday season means it’s time to feast on cornish hens, meat pies, fried snacks, and of course turkey — and that means a lot of grease.
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission wants to remind everyone not to throw those fats, oils and greases down your drain or toilet. The three, collectively known as “FOG,” clog up sewer lines and cause overflows. It’s not just a nuisance, but also a public health and environment hazard, and a potential sticker shock to taxpayers.
“Sanitary sewer overflows can happen in your home, in your bathroom, or your kitchen, or in the public main in the streets. ... So that’s why we’ve made this a focus to keep them out of the drains,” said Stephen Mulloney, spokesman for the commission.
He said the clogs especially happen this time of the year.
To be preemptive, the commission gives away grease lids at supermarkets and farmers markets. During the annual distribution this weekend, they gave away almost 1,000 lids. Residents can also go to bwsc.org to order a couple for free by sharing their contact info and BWSC account number. Renters can call the commission directly at 617-989-7995 to request free lids.
To use, simply pour your cooled cooking fat, oil or grease into a can (perhaps the one your cranberries came in), put on the grease lid for a secure fit, and then toss it in the trash.
“The grease lids are a handy, fun and informative way to remind folks [to] please put your cooking fats, oils and grease from your poultry and your pies into the cans and not down the drain,” he said.
For public main backups, contractors have to be hired by the commission and Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to use special trucks with powerful vacuum suction power.
The costs of cleaning up depend on the nature and amount of spill, but can include the cost of sewer staff, technicians, and if the spill makes it into a catch basin and endangers waterways, the cost of cleaning those too.
If the clog happens on a homeowner’s private sewer line, they’re 100% responsible for getting a plumber to clean it out, and any overflow.
“This routinely entails thousands of dollars,” said Mulloney.
