Why is the City of Austin so concerned about fats, oils and grease?
The improper disposal of fats, oils and grease by Austin Water Utility (AWU) residential and business customers causes sewage back-ups, sanitary sewer overflows and very costly repairs. Sewage spills must be eliminated because they pose a threat to public health and the environment. Since April of 1999, the City of Austin has been under an Administrative Order from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to address persistent problems with sanitary sewer overflows. The Austin Clean Water Program has spent over $200 million dollars in rate payer funds to make needed improvements to the AWU wastewater collection system. However, given the significant role that fats, oil and grease play in the problem, infrastructure improvements alone can not eliminate the problem. Current grease disposal habits by all AWU customers must change!
