Don't Pour Grease Down the Sink

Instead, you should cool it, contain it and throw it in the trash. Can it. Bag it. Toss it. Don't Clog it. Frequently Asked Questions about Grease Disposal can provide additional information about the problems grease causes in the sewer system.

Running hot water to melt fats, oil, and grease doesn’t help! No amount of hot water keeps grease from eventually congealing. This only gets the grease through the pipes in your home. Once it gets into the sewer and cools, it sticks to the pipe walls and creates an expensive and messy problem of sewer backups for you, your neighbors, and creeks and rivers in your neighborhood.

Grease can completely block a sewer pipe, as shown above.

Picture provided by the Bureau of Environmental Services, Portland, Oregon

Report an Overflow

Report a sanitary sewer overflow by calling our dispatch at 512-972-1000.

How You Can Help Stop the Grease Blob

• Put used fat, oil and grease in a foiled-lined container, such as a foiled coffee bag or a used soup or vegetable can. If you generate large amounts of used cooking oil, such as used when frying turkeys, reuse or recycle it.
• Scrape food scraps from dishes into trash cans or garbage bags.
• Avoid using your garbage disposal.
• Remove oil and grease from dishes, pans, fryers and griddles. Cool first before you skim, scrape or wipe off excess grease, and put it into the trash.
• Help us help you - never pour fat, oils and grease down a drain.