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21 December, 2016 10:31
Queensland Urban Utilities is urging people to avoid a jolly big fat problem this Christmas by not tipping cooking oils down the kitchen sink.
Everything that goes down the sink ends up in the sewerage network and fats are a major cause of blockages, not only in our pipes, but household plumbing.
Queensland Urban Utilities spokesperson, Michelle Cull, said a survey* found one in four people washed cooking oils down the kitchen sink.
“The problem with hot cooking fat is that it cools while travelling through the sewerage network and solidifies inside the pipes,” she said.
“It can then meet up with other nasties in the sewer, such as wet wipes, and form into a ‘fatberg’.
“It’s not just fat from the Christmas roast that can cause issues. The survey found 50 per cent of people tip leftover sauces and dips down the plughole, while almost 15 per cent wash food scraps down the sink.”
There are simple ways people can prevent their big Christmas feast causing a big fat problem for both their household plumbing and the sewerage network.
“Wipe the grease from pans with a paper towel or pour cooking oils into a container and throw it in the bin,” Ms Cull said.
“It’s also a good idea to scrape your Christmas leftovers into the rubbish bin instead of the sink.
“The message is simple - ‘think at the sink’ - and avoid a jolly big plumbing problem.”
Not-so-jolly Figures
- 1 in 4 people pour cooking oils down the sink
- 50% wash leftover sauces and/or dips down the sink
- 18% wash coffee grinds down the sink
- 14% of people scrape food scraps into the sink
*Source: Queensland Urban Utilities survey, July 2015, sample of 1000 people in Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset
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