Keep Fats Oils Grease (FOG) & Garbage out of sewersNEVER flush WIPES regardless of labelsFOG is a combination of fats, oils and grease, including lard, meat drippings, sauces, fondant, butter, tallow, shortening, dairy, mop water, machine lubricants and cosmetic oils. It comes from most homes and businesses.
When FOG & trash get into the sewer lines, it cools and sticks to the pipes, blocking wastewater flow. It can cause partial or complete blockages that back up sewage into businesses & homes, and onto streets & local streams. This increases FOG & trash costs. The City frequently inspects and cleans public sewer lines under the streets.
Sinks and Toilets are not trash bins
- DO NOT POUR liquid fats, oils or grease into sinks. This includes dairy, sauces, cosmetic oils, and lotions
- DO NOT POUR chemicals, solvents, paint, or medications down the drain. They pass on to your river
- DO NOT FLUSH wipes, wrappers, kitty litter, medicine and other garbage in toilets
- DO NOT BE FOOLED by labeling. Flushables do not dissolve - they stick and clog pipes under your building and cost more
Department of Agriculture regulates food packaging/processing - City Code regulates what goes into the sewer system.
Any business that repairs machines/engines, cleans equipment, printing & painting, dish washing, food prep or drains/pours food or beverages into the sink falls under the City Municipal Code. Even dishwashing at coffee shops, schools, churches, catering, hotels, reception halls, and meat cutting facilities. It also includes businesses that prepare preserves, wine, beer, and farm products. The water used to wash off equipment, utensils and floors at these businesses must remove FOG before it drains into the sewers.
FOG & Wipes clog Chehalem Street Pump Station
most items don't flow!
The toilet and sink are not trash bins. Medicine, wipes, kitty litter, sauces, coffee grounds, dairy, wrappers, cotton balls etc. all stick to the walls of pipes under the street.Increased use of products labeled as "flushable" are causing problems in our sewers. These products do not dissolve. Pumps and sewer lines now require constant clearing of clogs from both commercial and residential sewers.
Read this article from Today
The City of Newberg has a F.O.G (Fats Oils and Grease) ordinance. Food Service establishments include home catering, deli's with or without deep fryers, schools, food carts, coffee shops, and any establishment washing equipment or dishes. They all are required under the ordinance to prevent FOG from draining into the sewer.The City operates a Prevention Program:
- Reduce sanitary sewer overflows/obstructions caused by FOG entering the sewer system
- Educate the public and Food Service establishments how to reduce FOG
- Assist in compliance of the ordinance
