GREENSBORO, N.C. – After more than 30 raw sewage spills in the last six months, Adam Conn with the Greensboro Water Resources Department is hoping to get a message to city residents: Stop F.O.G.
The acronym stands for fats, oil and grease.
Conn says those account for the majority of reasons why raw sewage spills happen within the city limits.
So far this year, the 33 spills have gushed more than 33,000 gallons of raw sewage.
"Anytime it gets into a creek, we're concerned," Conn said.
It has. Possibly several thousand gallons that were eventually diluted as the water spilled into creeks.
"Depending on the location of the spill, it can be tributary to one of our drinking water lakes," Conn said.
Luckily many of the spills this year have been small.
But, 18,000 gallons here, 1,500 there -- and it adds up.
Fast.
"We had one high-volume spill this year but our total numbers are still trending down and leveling off," Conn explained. "As far as the drinking water, it would take a significant spill but we're concerned with every spill that we have."
The volume is as much a concern as the number of times a spill happens.
With each one, wildlife and fish are threatened.
It also means more tax dollars to repair and clean those clogged pipes.
"The best way to help is to not pour fats, oil and greases down the drain. By simply not pouring those products down the drain it significantly reduces the amount of buildup in the sewer main and can mitigate many of the sanitary sewer overflow that occur," Conn urged.
