Preventing Sewer Backups & Overflows
All households play an important role in preventing neighborhood sewer system blockages. Here's how you can help prevent a blockage.
To help prevent clogs, never put any of these down the toilet or the sink drain:
|
|
Every day, meals are prepared that contain fats, oils and grease. All too often the fats, oils and grease are poured down the sink or garbage disposers which are not designed to properly handle these materials. Once in the pipes, they build up and can eventually cause blockages and back ups. Since fats, oils and grease are lighter than water, they tend to accumulate at the top and sides of sewer pipes and can build up until a blockage occurs. If a blockage happens, the sewer backs up or overflows resulting in property and environmental damage. By reducing the amount of fats, oils and grease that enter the sewer system from your home, you can help to protect the environment by preventing sewer back-ups and overflows.
To minimize the amount of fats, oils and grease that go down the drain, follow these steps:
- Before washing, scrape and dry-wipe pots, pans and dishes with paper towels and dispose of waste in the trash.
- Pour fats, oils and grease into a container (an empty jar or coffee can with a lid). Once the liquids have cooled and solidified, secure the lid and place in the trash.
- Use sink strainers to catch food items, then empty the strainer into the trash.
These suggestions can save you money too! Most sewer back-ups occur between the house and the city or township’s sewer main, where the property owner is responsible for correcting the problem. Avoiding blockages means avoiding plumbing bills.
To report a sewer backup or overflow contact:
Kent County Utility Services
Department of Public Works
(616) 336-2579
(616) 336-3694
If you have a sewer emergency after hours and you live in Alpine, Bowne, Cannon, Courtland or
Plainfield Township, contact the Kent County Sheriff Department at 632-6357. They will
dispatch the on-call personnel.
