JEA Encourages Customers to Help Fight Fatbergs This Thanksgiving

2024-11-26

JACKSONVILLE – As Thanksgiving approaches, JEA encourages customers to properly dispose of all fats, oils and grease. The utility is reminding customers of the impact that clogged drains can have on homes and the wastewater system.

Pouring fats, oil or grease down the drain may seem convenient, but it can cause significant damage to your plumbing and the environment. Over time, grease can solidify, blocking pipes, leading to costly repairs for home plumbing and JEA’s sewer system.

JEA’s Wastewater Treatment System is designed to dispose of human waste and toilet paper only. Many other commonly flushed items can damage pipes in homes and JEA’s Wastewater Collection System. They also can create fatbergs, large coagulations of non-biodegradable sewage that cause backups and sewer overflows and contaminate our water supply. Fatbergs can harm the environment and can be costly.

JEA incurs the costs of unclogging the wastewater system, and it can ultimately lead to higher utility bills. JEA responded to more than 2,400 sanitary sewer backup incidents in the 2024 fiscal year, many of which were caused by fats, oils, and grease.

To properly dispose of fats, oils and grease this Thanksgiving, JEA recommends customers follow these steps:

1. Pour cooking grease into a used can, seal the can in a plastic bag and throw it away.
2. Wipe off dishes, pots, pans and cooking utensils with a paper towel before rinsing or washing them. Then put the paper towels in the trash.
3. Before you flush, think about Freddy Fatberg and how you can help keep him away. Don’t flush baby wipes (even if the box says you can), paper towels, dental floss, cat litter, or oil-based hand scrubs down the toilet. Other things that should be avoided include cotton swabs, cotton balls, and medicines. For a list of additional items that should never be flushed, please visit fatberginvasion.com and watch this video for more tips.

About JEA

JEA is a municipal utility providing safe, reliable and affordable services to more than one million residents across four Northeast Florida counties. JEA is not owned by investors and does not earn a profit. It was created by the City of Jacksonville to meet the electricity and water needs of those who live in Jacksonville and surrounding communities. JEA’s 2,200-plus workforce is dedicated to meeting customer needs, both today and for generations to come, while protecting our precious natural resources and supporting our region’s growth and economic development. Learn more at jea.com.

Media Contact

Karen McAllister
media@jea.com | 904-665-5500

Category:

• customer
• education
• environment
• sewer