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Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) and Non-Flushable Wipes Cause Problems at Pump Stations and Private Residences or Businesses
Recently, over a period of three (3) days, a department contractor removed 108 cubic yards of grease and non-flushable wipes from the wetwell at Sulphur Springs Pump Station located at 7902 North 13th Street. Grease and non-flushable wipes cause a myriad of problems at pump stations and private residences or businesses. When grease and wipes combine in pipes, they form “fatbergs”. Fatbergs are an industry-wide problem and many wastewater treatment plants are redesigning wetwells to prevent fatbergs from clogging equipment at pump stations and pipes in the collection system. Issues at pump stations caused by fatbergs often times lead to sanitary sewer overflows at pump stations or via manholes onto public roads or sidewalks. To address this issue, the Wastewater Department has reconfigured wetwells at three (3) major pump stations and at the treatment plant. These reconfigurations have cost several million dollars.
Fatbergs are expensive problems for property owners as well. A backup or overflow onto private property due to flushing wipes or pouring FOG’s down your drains may lead to an expensive plumber’s bill – at your cost. Discontinue flushing wipes and stop pouring grease down your drains. The City of Tampa Wastewater Department has recommendations to assist you with decreasing your risk of a backup or overflow on private property. Visit our website: https://www.tampagov.net/wastewater/programs/collections/sewer-backup-problems .
If you are experiencing slow moving drains or hear gurgling noises in your pipes, please call us first at 813-898-1420. An experienced technician will be dispatched to diagnose the problem. If it is a city-issue, we will repair it at no cost to you. If the problem is on your side, we will give you all the information needed to call a plumber. We are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week – call us anytime.
