TUD offers tips for safely disposing of cooking oil, grease,
Thousands of people of all ages in the Mother Lode are going to be cooking or helping out in the kitchen this week because Thursday is Thanksgiving
With so many people preparing turkeys, ducks and other greasy birds all at once, at the same time, on the same day, in every neighborhood in every part of town, workers at utilities in Tuolumne County know from years of experience that holiday usually means a lot of grease-clogged sinks and backed-up toilets.
There’s a right way to dispose of grease, and it may not be obvious or intuitive for a lot of firsttime chefs this Thanksgiving.
Getting rid of grease the right way can help tenants and homeowners avoid plumbing and sewer disasters, which can be an embarrassing prospect in the midst of holiday gatherings, staff at Tuolumne Utilities District said in an announcement.
“To avoid potential plumbing and sewer disasters, Groveland Community Services District, Jamestown Sanitary District, Tuolumne City Sanitary District, Tuolumne County Solid Waste Department, Tuolumne Utilities District, Twain Harte Community Services District and Waste Management would like to remind residents how to properly dispose of fats, oils and grease,” the announcement said.
Sewer blockages can cause backups into homes resulting in an unpleasant mess that can cost hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars to clean up, TUD staff said.
The district offered some tips for disposing of waste fats, oil and grease to help avoid plumbing emergencies this holiday season:
• Avoid pouring fats or vegetable cooking oils down the drain because liquid fats can solidify in pipes and create clogs.
• After grease has cooled, scrape the grease into a container with a tight-fitting lid. Solidify in the refrigerator before putting it in the trash.
• Never put hard-to-grind items in your garbage disposal, including poultry skins, egg shells, carrots, celery, pumpkin pulp, potato skins, banana peels, or pasta.
For more information visit www.tudwater.com online.