Manatee County Urges Residents to Keep Grease Out of Drains During Fourth of July Cookouts

As Fourth of July celebrations bring families together for backyard barbecues, Manatee County is reminding residents to properly dispose of fats, oils and grease to help prevent clogged pipes and sewer backups.

Holiday cookouts often generate extra grease from foods such as burgers, bacon and other grilled favorites. When poured down sinks or drains, fats, oils and grease—commonly referred to as FOG—can harden inside sewer lines, creating blockages that may lead to sewage backups in homes, businesses and the public wastewater system.

County officials encourage residents to let grease cool after cooking, pour it into a disposable container and place it in the trash rather than washing it down the drain. They also recommend scraping leftover food and grease from plates and cookware into the trash before washing dishes.

Taking a few simple steps after a barbecue can help reduce costly plumbing problems, protect the community’s wastewater infrastructure and keep the sewer system operating efficiently throughout the busy holiday weekend.

More information about proper FOG disposal is available at mymanatee.org/fog.