Sewer Blockages

When fats, oils and grease are disposed of down the drain, it forms large, thick grease balls that clog the sewerage pipes resulting in blockages and overflows, creating environmental health issues, traffic hazards and can flood homes and businesses. Both domestic households and commercial food handling premises contribute to this issue.

Foods such as cooking oils, milk, cheese, butter, and gravy all include fats, oils and grease and should never be tipped down the sink.

• Not tipping cooking oils and fats down the sink but instead let the liquid oil or fat cool in a sealable container, or wrap it in paper before placing it in the general waste bin.
• Wipe pots and pans that are oily with paper towel before rinsing them and then place paper towel in the bin.
• Don’t wash food scraps, tea leaves or coffee grounds down the sink.
• Place a strainer or screen over the drain when rinsing dishes and empty into the bin.
• Pouring household chemicals down the drain can also lead to corrosion of your pipes. Over a period of time, these chemicals could lead to weakening the main sewage line.
• Signs of a sewer blockage include slow drainage in your toilet, sink, shower or bath, gurgling noises from your drains, strong odour and sewage overflow in your home or yard.

• Strain or filter oil in deep fryers to extend the life of the cooking oil
• Use absorbent paper towel to soak up fats and grease under fryer baskets and place in the general waste bin
• Minimise the use of dish soap in dish washing operations. Dish soap emulsifies fats, oils and grease and enables it to pass through a grease trap.

 City officers are available to meet with businesses to explain best practice and solutions to Fat, Grease and Oil disposal. Please call the City on 9021 9600 to make an appointment.