Cooking grease recycling going on for Richmond County, Columbia - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

The Columbia County Water Utility and the City of Augusta Utilities Department are co-host a free used cooking oil recycling event for Columbia and Richmond County residents today and tomorrow 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1820 Doug Barnard Parkway in Augusta.

Approximately 85 percent of grease-related sewer blockages and overflows originate in residential areas.  The build-up of fats, oils and grease in the sewer system causes sewer blockages.  This eventually results in sewer backups that can overflow onto streets and into homes, damaging property and the environment. Untreated sewage can flow into storm drain inlets, creeks, lakes or rivers. Most overflows are relatively small and can be stopped and cleaned up quickly. If not addressed, overflows can result in property damage, strong odors, and environmental, health and safety problems.

In neighborhoods that experience sewer blockages and backups due to fats, oils and grease sewer system maintenance is expensive and can contribute to increasing costs for sewer service.