F.O.G. is an acronym for Fat, Oil and Grease. It is harmful to the internal drainage inside the home, Harris County MUD 249’s drainage infrastructure and the environment.
F.O.G. comes from a variety of food sources, either as an ingredient of OR a byproduct of food preparation.
When these items are poured down the drain, it can accumulate and harden inside sewer pipes causing blockages, backups, and overflows. When these failures occur, it can release raw sewage into the environment which then enters our drainage channels that lead into the bayous, creeks, lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. This raw sewage carries a variety of bacteria that has a negative impact on human health, fish and wildlife.
In addition to the health impacts, it has massive financial consequences. The blockages and backups can destroy the pipes in your home as well as the infrastructure of Harris County MUD 249’s water system. This destruction can cost homeowners in home pipe repair, but also affect taxpayers by costing a district thousands of dollars in infrastructure repair expenses. The expense of continually repairing clogged pipes may ultimately impact customers’ monthly rates or property taxes.
Please remember hot water and soap DO NOT eliminate FOG because it will eventually reform in pipes.
Additionally, if standard disposal is not an option, Environmental Services Centers have recycling centers where these F.O.G. items can be safely collected and disposed of, and Harris County MUD 249 residents are encouraged to take their grease, fat, and cooking oil items there.
Address
5614 Neches St
Houston, Texas 77026
Website
https://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/esc.html
Recycling Center Hours
2nd Thursday of each month
Sources: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assistance/water/wastewater/fog/home_fog.html
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