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December Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Maylynne Wilbert, 636-4349, Maylynne.Wilbert@memphistn.gov

Memphis, TN (December 3, 2018) – Fats, Oils, Grease (FOG) CAN FLOOD YOUR HOME.  Do your part to prevent sewer backups by properly disposing cooking fats, oils, and greases.  These products should never be poured down a household sink.  The FOG clings to pipes beneath your house and in the City’s sanitary sewer system. Over time, this FOG can build up and block the pipes causing overflows that can discharge sewage into your home, neighborhood, and area lakes, rivers, and streams.

The City of Memphis Storm Water Department encourages everyone to properly dispose of fats, oils, and greases to help prevent blockages that can result in sewage overflowing onto streets.  The sewage is not only a health hazard to the neighborhood but it can also enter the City’s storm water drainage system.  Storm water flows from the inlets through the drainage system and discharges into the Loosahatchie River, Wolf River, and Nonconnah Creek.  These in turn carry the water to the Mississippi River and McKellar Lake. Sewage transported by storm water poses a threat to fish and other aquatic life in these water bodies.

You can help prevent FOG-caused sewer backups by:

  • Reusing cooking oil when possible.

  • Properly dispose of oil by placing it in a sealable container and disposing with your other garbage.  The City will provide you a sealable can cover free, just call 636-8118 and Can the Grease.

  • Scraping food scraps in the trash, not the sink.

  • Wiping pots, pans, and dishes before rinsing or washing them.

  • Placing a catch screen over the sink drain when washing dishes to catch small scraps.

  • For large quantities, such as when deep-frying a turkey, allow the grease to cool in a safe container and take it to the Memphis and Shelby County Household Hazardous Waste facility located at 6305 Haley Road where it will be re-cycled into biofuel. 

 PLEASE! BE PROUD OF YOUR CITY. HELP KEEP OUR WATERWAYS CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL.

 For more information about grease disposal, call 636-8118 or to report sanitary overflows call 636-8025.   To learn more about the City’s Storm Water Department call 636-4349.