Sewer Backup Prevention

Abington Township continues to improve and maintain the sewer system. We have a full-time crew of five, dedicated to the repair and maintenance of the system utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.

The most important part of our sewer system maintenance, however, is YOU. Help identify potential problems by calling us at 215-884-8329 if: you have any service done to your drainage system; your system drains slowly or your drain gurgles; your system works poorly during rainstorms; you smell sewer odor; or see water coming out of a manhole.

Sewer backups occur infrequently, but can be very disruptive. To reduce your chance of sewer backup, and to minimize damage if one does occur: do not flush diapers, paper towels, or plastic products into the sewer system; minimize use of your garbage disposal (see below - Grease and Sewer Backups); disconnect floor drains and sump pumps from the sewer line (such connections are illegal and may cause sewage to back up into the home); elevate your furniture in below-ground levels if basement fixtures are present.

Grease and Sewer Backups
Fats, oils and grease aren't just bad for your arteries and your waistline, they're bad for the sewers, too.  An increasingly common cause of sewage overflows and basement backups is sewer pipes blocked by grease.  Grease gets into the sewer from household drains as well as from poorly maintained grease traps in restaurants and other businesses.

Grease is a byproduct of cooking, and comes from meat fats, cooking oil, shortening, butter, food scraps, dairy products, etc.  Grease is often washed into the sewage system through the kitchen sink, and it sticks to the sides of pipes inside your house, in your building sewer, and in the sewer main in the street.  Over time, it can build up and block the whole pipe.  If this happens in your home or building sewer, it involves an expensive plumber's bill.  If it happens in the street, it may result in all the sewage from the neighborhood pouring into your basement.

The easiest way to solve the grease problem and help prevent raw sewage overflows is to keep this material out of the sewer system in the first place.  There are several ways to do this:

1.  Never pour grease or oil down sink drains or into toilets.  Keep a waste grease and oil container near the stove, and pour waste grease into it.  Cap it and discard it in the trash when full.

2.  Scrape grease and food scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans, utensils, and grills and cooking surfaces into a can or the trash for disposal or recycling.

3.  Do not put grease down garbage disposals.  Put strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and empty the strainers into the trash for disposal.

4.  Speak with your friends and neighbors about the problem of grease in the sewer system and how to keep it out.  It's a great conversation starter.

Please feel free to contact the Abington Wastewater Utilities Department at 215-886-0934 or at rleber@abington.org if you have any questions.