The holidays are upon us, and Aqua, an Essential Utilities, Inc. company, is urging customers to take simple steps to protect their plumbing systems and the local environment during the holiday season and beyond. 

As families gather to celebrate and share festive meals, it’s important to remember that improper disposal of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) can lead to significant plumbing issues. FOG can solidify and accumulate in pipes, causing clogs, backups, and overflows.  

Tips for Safe Disposal of Fats, Oils and Grease 

To avoid costly plumbing repairs and reduce risks for your community, follow these guidelines: 

• Never pour cooking grease down sink drains or into toilets. These liquids solidify in pipes, creating stubborn clogs. 
• Dispose of cooking grease properly. Carefully pour warm (not hot) leftover grease into a metal can, let it cool, then place it in the trash. 
• Use sink strainers. Strainers in sink drains catch food scraps and other solids, helping to keep drains clear. 
• Scrape food scraps into the trash. This small step prevents buildup and blockages in your pipes. 

Additional Reminders for Pipe Protection

Garbage disposals are not a solution. Disposals may break down food particles but don’t prevent fats, oils, and grease from clogging pipes. While these items enter the drain as liquids, they eventually solidify, creating blockages that cause sewage backups. 

Wipes, tissues, and napkins belong in the trash. Even wipes labeled as “flushable” don’t dissolve in water and can clog household plumbing and wastewater collection systems. 

Aqua is committed to providing safe and reliable services and protecting the environment. For more information on pipe protection, visit Aqua.

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater, and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, superior customer experience, and premier employer status. Essential Utilities is an advocate for the communities it serves and a dedicated steward of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout its footprint. 

Learn more at Aqua. Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across nine states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service, and natural gas providers in the U.S.