Get The FOG Out! We are happy to share another fascinating public service announcement video for the Town of Orangeville. The wastewater treatment plant is frequently removing fats, oils and grease (FOG), as well as wipes that build up in the system from incorrect disposal by residents. This costs the town money to clean and repair. While the idea of filming a water and sewage treatment plant is not the most pleasant, this is really a story of environmental protection. The water treatment plant works hard to ensure very clean water is being returned to the watershed. We filmed all the gross parts of the plant, the holding tanks, the traps, and used drone footage to get a wider view.
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Full video transcript:
Have you ever flushed bacon grease, sauces, dairy products or cooking oil down the drain or toilet? What about food scraps, butter or shortening? And what about wipes?
Hi, I’m John, Wastewater Supervisor with the Town of Orangeville. Did you know that these materials can’t always make it to the water pollution control plant? Instead, these fats, oils and greases or FOG and wipes cause expensive problems for you and for the town. Over time, blocked pipes can cause backups that surge sewage into homes through sinks, drains and toilets. These sewage backups can lead to potential health hazards, damage to your home and create a threat to the environment and for the town, the cost could be as high as $100,000. These are tax dollars that we could spend elsewhere in our community.
The best answer to this problem is to never flush wipes. Instead, put them in the garbage. For fats, oils and grease: never pour it down your drain or flush it.
It’s easy to do your part to properly dispose of solid fats, oils and greases simply place them in your green bin to prevent your pipes from clogging and to help avoid expensive issues for yourself and for the town. FOG materials should never be put in your green bin in liquid form. Wait for it to harden and then soak up small amounts of liquid in napkins or paper towel and place them in your green bin. Remember, no plastic or metal container should be put in green bins even if you use them to let FOG materials harden.
Large amounts of liquid FOG material can also be brought to a hazardous and electronic waste event in Dufferin County. If you do not already have a green bin, be sure to touch base with your local municipality or the Dufferin County Waste Team to get one today.