Residential Grease Information
Not everything you pour down the drain will make it to the Sewage Treatment Plant. Fats, oils and greases can stick to your home’s sewer pipe, eventually blocking the pipe and causing a backup or overflow of untreated sewage. This can result in high costs to the homeowner for clean up and restoration work.
Where does household grease come from?
Most people know that household grease is a by-product of cooking. Grease is generated from such things as:
- Meats
- Dairy products
- Sauces
- Butter/ margarine
- Cooking oils and greases
- Shortening/ lard
Grease can enter the sink drain during food preparation and after meal clean up. The grease cools as it enters the sewer pipes and sticks to the sides of the pipes. Over time the grease builds up to a point where the pipe can be entirely blocked off, resulting in sewage backups and overflows onto your property and/ or into your home.
To help prevent sewer problems, please consider the following:
- Never pour grease down the sink drains or toilets (even with the aid of hot water, because when the greasy water cools down in the sewer pipe, the grease will re-solidify).
- Scrape grease and food scraps off your plates, utensils, pots and pans into your garbage instead of washing them down the drain.
- Place a drain screen in your sink to catch food scraps and dispose of grease and food scraps in your garbage.
- When cooking meats, pour the grease off into a disposable container, let the grease cool down and solidify and dispose of in the garbage. Remember the saying, “Store it, don’t pour it!”
- Use disposable paper towels to wipe up grease and dispose of the paper towel in your garbage.
- Be consumer wise when using a commercial cleaner or detergent, which claims to dissolve greases, as they may only transport the problem further down the sewer system.
- Vegetable waste can be composted but be careful not to put meat/ meat byproducts into your compost bin as this can attract wild animals to your backyard.
The home owner is responsible for the sanitary sewer line running from the resident to the main sewer line on the street. If a resident is experiencing a blockage or a backup of their Private Drain Connection (PDC), The Public Works Department (519)752-4832 can be contracted to clear the blockage.
Schedule of Rates
Rates for clearing of blocked drains by the mechanical sewer rod method only during normal working hours: 8:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m. all year, 7 days a week.
- First 1/2 hour at site - Minimum charge $60.00.
- Each additional hour - If blocked cannot be cleared as outlined above, the clearing or repairing will be invoiced at current rates for materials, labour and equipement used.
- All other hours or work shall be charged at overtime labour rates according to current Union Contract.
Agreement
I hereby request and authorize the Corporation of the City of Brantford to clear a blocked drain by mechanical sewer rod method at the above address and authorize their agents and servants to enter upon the property for that purpose and I hereby agree to pay the sum of $60.00 initially and agree to pay the said Corporation the full amount in addition to the addition to the initial $60.00 in the accordance with the established Schedule of Rates.
I hereby recognize the building sewers and private drain connections are the responsibility of the Property Owner from the building to the main sewer.