Sonora, CA…The Thanksgiving holiday this week will have many Tuolumne County residents busy cooking in their kitchens. To avoid potential plumbing and sewer disasters, Groveland Community Services District, Jamestown Sanitary District, Tuolumne City Sanitary District, Tuolumne County Solid Waste Department, Tuolumne Utilities District, Twain Harte Community Services District and Waste Management would like to remind residents how to properly dispose of fats, oils and grease. Sewer blockages can cause backups into homes resulting in an unpleasant mess that can cost hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars to clean up.

Listed below are safe disposal tips of waste fats, oil and grease to help you avoid a plumbing emergency this holiday season:

Avoid pouring fats or vegetable cooking oils down the drain because liquid fats solidify in the pipes and create clogs.
After grease has cooled, scrape the grease into a container with a tight fitting lid. Solidify in the refrigerator before putting it in the trash.
Never put hard to grind items in your garbage disposal, including poultry skins, egg shells, carrots, celery, pumpkin pulp, potato skins, banana peels, or pasta.
The Tuolumne County Solid Waste Division has begun collecting used liquid cooking oil, 10 gallons or less, by appointment only at their permanent household hazardous waste facility. This is available to residential customers only. Call 209-533-5588 to make an appointment for disposal of residential liquid cooking oil.

For additional information visit the TUD website, www.tudwater.com