During these same holiday festivities one of the things that goes unnoticed, but is very important to our health and well being, is ensuring the sewer system is working properly. Year-round, the city of Newman Public Works Department performs routine maintenance and works diligently to ensure our sewer system continues to function properly. Some common household items have the potential to cause problems with our sewer system, including fats, oils and grease.

When not disposed of properly, fats, oils and grease form thick layers inside our sewer pipelines and constricts flow (similar to the way cholesterol affects blood flow in your arteries) and ultimately clogging the sewer system. Clogged sewer systems can result in backups in customer’s pipes that connect to the City’s sewer system and this can lead to wastewater backing up into homes or businesses and costly clean up and repair, as well as public health concerns. These blockages can also cause back ups in the city’s sewer system itself and can lead to costly sewer overflows onto city streets or into the storm drain system that ultimately flows to the San Joaquin River.

Your help is needed to stop these blockages from occurring. In order to stop sewer blockages, please properly dispose of fats, oils and grease by following a few simple steps.

Do not put fats, oils and grease or greasy foods down the garbage disposal or the drain. Before washing, scrape and dry wipe pots, pans and dishes with a paper towel and dispose of them in the trash can. Cool fats, oils and grease in a container with a tight-sealing lid and dispose of it in the trash can. Mix oils and grease with other absorbent material like paper towels, kitty litter, or coffee grounds and place it in the trash.

Please help to prevent sewer blockages and overflows by following these tips. For more information please call (209) 862-4448.