Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Thursday, September 10, 2009
By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer
The Henry County PSA is urging its 7,000 residential sewer customers to avoid putting fats, oils and grease down their drains to prevent buildups and keep service costs down.
There are no immediate plans to increase rates, according to Mike Ward, director of regulatory compliance and technical applications for the PSA, but the agency is taking steps to control the problem so its costs for maintenance and other expenses do not rise.
The buildup of fats, oils and grease in pipes is an issue in some areas of the county, including Ridgeway, Collinsville and one area in Axton.
“A number of sewage overflows are due to grease build-up” especially in areas such as Collinsville and other areas which have a high concentration of residents and restaurants, Ward said.
The problem arises when liquid grease (such as bacon grease or other meat drippings) or fat is poured down drains, he said.
As it cools, it solidifies, coating pipes and creating blockages that pose a health risk as well as additional expense, Ward said.
Sewage can back up into homes, leaving residents with costly cleanup bills for their homes and belongings, he said. Often, repairs to sewer pipes also are necessary, he added.
Blockages also may trigger an overflow of sewage into the streets, parks or waterways, Ward said. That creates a public health risk, threatens the environment and may prompt fines for the PSA from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and/or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ward said.
If not controlled, it also could mean customers could pay higher rates for service, he said.
Sewer rates are based on the amount of water used, according to Deputy County Administrator Tim Hall.
Currently, residential customers pay $26 per month for the first 4,000 gallons of water and the same amount for sewer, according to Hall and Ward.
Staff members implemented a preventive program which uses visual inspections in areas which generally have a high concentration of problems, Ward said. If problems are found, maintenance crews take immediate action to clean it up in hopes of remedying the situation before it worsens, Ward said.
Crews use what is called a “jet truck” because it has a high pressure water hose on a reel and is similar to plumbing “snakes” used to combat clogged drains, Ward said. The jet provides a concentration of high pressure spray aimed at the clog or buildup, he said.
The agency also implemented an inspection program at restaurants, Ward said. Crews check restaurants to ensure a grease trap is installed, maintained and working properly, Ward said.
“If we can get everyone to do a little bit” it will help the overall system, he said.
Recently, the agency mailed flyers to educate residents on the proper disposal of grease and the potential for problems when it is poured down drains, he said.
To prevent the problem, Ward said pour all cooled cooking fats, oils and grease that will harden into an old milk carton, can or container with a lid and then dispose of it in the garbage.
Scrape greasy food scraps from pots, pans and dishes into the garbage, rather than a garbage disposal, which does not keep grease out of plumbing systems, he said. Before washing greasy pots, pans or dishes, wipe them with a paper towel or other type of disposable cloth and throw that cloth into the garbage.
Use a strainer in the sink to trap food scraps and other solids that cannot be wiped out, Ward said. He also cautioned that using warm water and/or soap to wash grease down the drain does not work because fats and grease coagulate as hot water cools.
Also, many products which claim to dissolve grease may cause blockages further down the pipe.
For more information, contact the PSA at 634-4601 or visit www.henrycountyva.gov/Public-Service-Authority. |
| |
|
|
.jpg)
