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homepage link Prevent wastewater backups

Prevent wastewater backups

Wastewater backups are damaging, expensive, unsanitary and not a pleasant experience for anyone.

It's our responsibility to clean and maintain the wastewater service mains in our system. Customers are responsible for cleaning and maintaining their private service lines - the lines that stretch from a home or business and connect to our system (typically the connection is at your curb or street).

Since many backups are caused by blockages in private service lines, it’s much easier to prevent problems before they start. Small changes to everyday behavior can make a huge difference when it comes to maintaining your service line.

Wipes clog pipes

So-called “flushable wipes” are not flushable at all. Never flush these down the toilet. These wipes do not break down in water and provide a spot for paper bits, grease and other flushed debris to stick together.

This can cause blockages, which can lead to backups in your service line or in our wastewater mains, and cause serious damage. Don't believe the hype, wipes clog pipes!

Fat, oil & grease

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While it may be tempting to rinse food scraps with high volumes of fat, oil and grease down the garbage disposal, it can cause big problems later.

Meats, sauces, dressings, deep fried foods, baked goods, cheese, butter and more can all collect and harden in your wastewater lines, eventually causing blockages and messy, costly backups. 

Follow these five steps when doing dishes:

  1. Wipe pots, pans and dishes with a paper towel before washing them.
  2. Pour leftover grease into an empty can or container and throw away when it's hardened.
  3. Scrape food scraps into the trash to minimize garbage disposal use.
  4. Cover drains with screens or catch baskets.
  5. Consider composting food scraps.

Fat, oil & grease for commercial customers

FOG Proper disposal

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Many businesses generate fat, oil and grease waste by processing or serving food. Restaurants, caterers, hospitals, churches, nursing homes, day care centers, schools, grocery stores and more can all do their part to prevent backups.

To avoid potential backups, property damage and public health issues, commercial customers should refer to our Best Management Practices (BMPs) - found in the Policies & Procedures Manual - to reduce fat, oil and grease discharges.

Every BMP outlined in the manual might not apply to each food service establishment. However, food service establishment operators must identify the fat, oil and grease sources at their business and adopt necessary BMPs.

Operators should call us at (719) 448-4800 if they need assistance.

Colorado Springs Utilities 

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