Corral the Grease is a public education project to help prevent blockages in sewer pipes that can cause sanitary sewer overflows. Many times grease accumulates and solidifies inside the pipes and restricts free flow of raw sewage on its way to the wastewater treatment plant. This overloads the system, causing sewage to overflow into streets, yards, and storm ditches, which eventually will pollute the bayous and Galveston Bay. The grease that blocks the sewer pipes generally comes from two sources - commercial and residential kitchens. Commercial establishments, such as restaurants, institutional cafeterias and other public kitchens, are regulated by City ordinance. They are required to install grease traps that must be cleaned periodically. Residents don't have grease traps. The most practical way to reduce grease from residential kitchens is to offer easy ways to prevent grease from entering the sewer pipes in the first place. This can be done as follows: Residents collect grease in containers (i.e., used cans, glass jars, etc.). Residents dispose of the hardened grease with their regular trash.

For questions or suggestions concerning the Corral the Grease Website, please contact us at: Corral the Grease

Fats, Oils, and Grease in our sewers:
Most people know that fat and grease are not good for their health. Did you know that fats, oils and grease (FOG) is a problem for your plumbing and for the public sewers, as well?

• When warm in the sink, FOG floats.
• When cool in the sewer pipe, FOG is solid.
• In plumbing and sewer pipes, FOG can block the normal flow of sewage in the pipe
• Running hot tap water will not float grease in the sewer pipe!, That's because the water cools as it flows down the pipe, so that the grease remains solid.

Blocked plumbing/sewer overflows:
Most household plumbing lines are small, and connect directly to pipes that are only slightly larger. FOG and foreign materials can easily block the sewage flow. A blocked sewer can be a worse problem than just inconvenient and unpleasant. A blocked sewer can cause an overflow that sends pollution to our bayous and Galveston Bay.

Common enemies to our sewer system:

• Cooking grease & oil
• Meat fats
• Shortening, butter & margarine
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Paper towels
• Baby diapers
• Feminine hygiene products
• Hair
• Chewing gum
• Plastics

Corral the Grease at its source:
Take a minute to properly dispose of grease, and other items that can clog your plumbing. You and your family may not have to ever use the plunger again! You can also keep your sewer lines free flowing, which will help to protect Houston's natural environment.

• DO NOT POUR grease products down sinks or toilets.
• Pour liquid oils and grease into heat resistant bags or containers.
• When full of grease, seal and throw away the bag or container with your trash.
• Scrape fats, grease and food from plates and cooking utensils into the trash.
• Use basket strainers in sinks to catch food particles and empty them into the trash.
• Remember, garbage disposals are not effective for disposing of FOG.

Corral the Grease containers:

• Disposable used waste containers, Consider using coffee cans, pet food cans, food jars, etc., that you already have in your home. Instead of throwing them away empty, use them to collect your cooking oil or grease.
• Heat resistant bags, Oven roasting bags (sold in grocery stores) or foil lined bags which, to our current knowledge, is appropriate for the use recommended by its manufacturer. However, the city does not endorse this product, nor warrant it for merchantability, nor fitness for a particular use).

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