Special Projects & Outreach

What is Dallas Water Utilities' Grease Abatement Program?

It is a city-wide public education and awareness program, "Defend Your Drains," that encourages residents and businesses to "Cease the Grease" which primary focus is proper disposal of fats, oils and grease (FOG). DWU's goals are to increase awareness of the consequences of improper grease disposal and the damage it causes and to provide educational tools and information to help alleviate grease problems.

Why is the City of Dallas calling attention to the program?

• The improper disposal of FOG by Dallas residents and businesses is increasing, and the City of Dallas wants to encourage residents to take action and stop pouring FOG down the kitchen sink before it becomes a major problem.

What is the difference between oil and grease?

• The terms are often used interchangeably, but they are very different substances.
• Grease is the solid white residue left over in the cooled pan after frying meat such as bacon.
• Oil, such as vegetable oil, is the liquid left over from frying foods and never turns into a solid.

What are the common mistakes people make when disposing of FOG?

• People tend to dump left-over cooking grease, oils and food scraps down the sink and simply turn on the garbage disposal.
• Another common mistake is rinsing dishes in the sink with hot water to remove the grease residue left on plates.

What can happen if I dispose of FOG down my kitchen sink?

• Grease makes its way into city sanitary sewer pipes when oil, butter, shortening and sauces are washed down the kitchen.
• Improper disposal of FOG can result in blockages in city sanitary sewer lines and homeowner pipes. This may lead to property damage, foul odors and road closures due to backed up pipes.

What can I do to help the problem?

• Avoid pouring FOG and food scraps down the kitchen sink. Instead, pour the grease into a sealable container, freeze and dispose in the trash when the container is full. 
• Before putting your dirty dishes in the sink, wipe off excess grease with a paper towel and throw the paper towel in the trash.
• Pour cooking oil in a sealable container and drop it off at one of the DWU recycling centers. Visit the DYD website at defendyourdrains.com  and use the drop off locator to find the nearest oil collection center.

• Properly disposing cooking oil and grease...
• prevents grease buildups from blocking sewer lines
• stops sanitary sewer overflows into streets and storm drains, lessening city construction and traffic that results from maintenance
• protects the quality of Dallas' water

Where can I go to find more information on the Grease Abatement Program and ways to "Cease the Grease"?

• Visit Dallas Water Utilities' Grease Abatement Program's website at defendyourdrains.com for additional information.