STXPM reminds residents to take care when disposing of greasy food scraps. Courtesy of Don Wasko, Superintendent of City of Carlsbad.

St. Croix Property Management (STXPM) reminds residents to take care when disposing of greasy food scraps, or risk expensive and messy sewer pipe back ups.

Don Wasko, waste-water superintendent for the City of Carlsbad, California says, “People are under the mistaken impression that once food and grease go through the garbage disposal and down the drain they magically disappear. The reality is that these things harden in sewer pipes and cause a lot of problems.”
Soap, detergents and bleach only temporarily cut the grease. Fat, oil, and grease eventually attach to the walls of sewer pipes like a clogged artery. Build up of grease in sewer pipes is the number one cause of sewage spills. Additionally, throwing dental floss and hair down the drain exacerbate the problem.
Please remember to dispose of fat, oils and grease properly by following these simple steps:
-Scrape uneaten food and sauces into the trash before washing the dishes or placing them in the dishwasher.
-Wipe cooking pan residue with a paper towel before washing and throw the towel in the trash.
-Mix small amounts of fat, oils and grease with absorbent waste such as kitty litter, coffee grounds, shredded newspaper or paper towels before discarding in the trash.
-Dispose of fat, oil and grease into a plastic container such as a milk jug. Never discard these materials down the sink, down the garbage disposal or in the trash.
-Dispose of used cooking oil responsibly.

Remember that keeping sewer pipes running smoothly saves tenants and the homeowners money. Tenants may be responsible for the sewer pipe from their homes to the septic tank if clogs are due to tenant negligence. Clogs in this pipe, called a lateral, are costly to clear, especially after hours and on holidays.
“People usually want to do the right thing..... We are just getting the word out about this little known problem, especially during the holidays.”