Grant Helps Create Awareness of Fats, Oils and Grease

In November 2015, the Pretreatment Department received a $25,000 grant to educate the public about the best practices for dealing with fats, oils and grease (FOG).

FOG can lead to sanitary sewer overflows, blockage of pipes and issues with BPUB’s sewage system if disposed down the drain. Residential areas are not regulated the way commercial areas are in regards to drainage and sewage discharge, which is why the grant will target apartment complexes and commercial areas.

The grant consists of a series of public outreach presentations in community centers and commercial customers such as schools and churches and ensuring that as many people are reached locally as possible. In an effort to reach residential customers, the BPUB will release public information advertisements throughout 2016. These bilingual ads will provide helpful tips for disposing of fats, oils and grease from cooking. Correctly disposing of FOG can help residents avoid preventable blockages to their home plumbing system. These blockages can cause some costly damages and unsanitary situations inside homes and yards.

In addition, BPUB will work closely with its sister city across the border, Matamoros, to share helpful messaging about effective disposal of FOG. This bi-national effort will assist Matamoros as it establishes its own program to keep its sewage systems clean and people healthy.

Pretreatment Manager Vicente Guerrero III wants to see a reduction in calls regarding sewage or clogged drain issues. Guerrero hopes Brownsville residents and people throughout the Rio Grande Valley will learn how to keep their homes, plumbing, yards and neighborhoods free of sewer overflows related to mishandled fats, oils and grease.

Click here to read more tips on dealing with FOG and learn more about BPUB’s pretreatment program.