The challenge for a city is that sometimes the most important things we do are the most invisible. Parades and events are wonderful, but a good supply of clean, drinkable water is vital. Parks are beautiful, but carefully treating sewer waste before sending it back into the environment is critically important.  

We all get into our routines and take things like water and sewer for granted until it's not there.  Yet, City crews are constantly working to keep those systems running smoothly all the time; in the case of sewer, it's a 24/7 business.  Normally, we are blissfully unaware of their work while we enjoy the benefits.  However, there's nothing like an emergency water main break to remind us just what would happen if the service stopped working normally.

I'm not suggesting that we cheer every time we turn on the tap (although you certainly can), but we do need to think about how our small actions can help keep the whole system working, or not.  In this case, our water main broke when we were trying to unclog the nearby sewer.  

Every time each of us sends grease down the drain, we're helping to clog the sewer, which can potentially back up the whole system.  As part of our permit process, the City requires certain businesses to install grease traps to collect this grease and keep it out of the system, but we still sometimes get clogs.  This is especially important to remember as we start thinking about roasting turkeys and browning butter around the holidays.  Grease and fats should go into the garbage (after they've cooled) rather than down the drain.  Each of us can do our part to help the City crews providing excellent water and sewer service...so excellent, in fact, that we usually forget what it would be like without it.  

More tips for keeping grease from going down the drain from our neighbors at King County.