Feb 6, 2012 by Dr. Chris Wood

The Georgia F.O.G. Alliance recognized the Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority (PCWASA) at its annual awards holiday luncheon in December as a founding member of the industry organization. The Alliance was founded in 2001, with PCWASA as one of the few 30 or so utility members in the state to have been a part of the organization since day one.

Xavier Davis, GISP, who is the FOG Program Coordinator for PCWASA, is serving as Vice President of the Georgia F.O.G. Alliance this year, after serving as Treasurer since 2008. Keisha Lisbon Thorpe, P.E., who is the PCWASA Division Manager for Technical Services, joined Davis at the awards luncheon to pick up this honor on behalf of the Authority.

PCWASA is a founding member of the Georgia F.O.G. Alliance, says Davis, because this non-profit industry trade group provides public information and advocates public education, as well as networking opportunities for municipalities and utilities, regarding Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Programs. The Alliance was founded to help local governing authorities such as PCWASA to start or maintain effective FOG Programs, as a unifying voice through association with fellow FOG prevention professionals.

The Mission of the Georgia FOG Alliance, which is inherent in the FOG prevention work of PCWASA, is to promote a cleaner environment by controlling fats, oils, and grease (FOG). The majority of sewer spills and overflows at PCWASA are due to improper disposal of fats, oils, and grease.

The PCWASA FOG Program provides proper disposal tips – through educational materials and instruction – to industrial, commercial, and residential customers. Commercial and industrial customers are required to maintain proper grease traps, among other measures to protect the integrity of the Authority’s sewerage system, while residential customers are encouraged to “think before pouring grease down the sink,” and instead dispose of fats, oils, and grease in sealed containers in the trash.

For more information on the PCWASA FOG Program, contact Xavier Davis at 770-487-7993.

Media contact:
Chris Wood, Ph.D.
770-757-1681 (phone)
jcwood@uga.edu (email)

Feb 7, 2011 by Dr. Chris Wood

The Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority (PCWASA) is encouraging its customers to prevent FOG from entering – and eventually damaging – home plumbing, the Authority’s sewer system, and Peachtree City’s environment.

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are derived from living cells of animal and vegetable matter, produced during food preparation at restaurants, cafeterias, and residential homes. After food is prepared and eaten, FOG can remain on cookware and dishware. As a result, these potentially harmful materials can enter into the sewer system from a kitchen drain.

“If fats, oils, and grease are not properly disposed of over time, they potentially can lead to sanitary sewer backups and overflows in our community,” says Xavier Davis, FOG Program Coordinator for PCWASA. “Just as foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats can clog your arteries, fats, oils, and grease can clog our wastewater collection system.”

Subsequently, when sewer lines are clogged with FOG, the PCWASA has to address the additional problems that backups and overflows can cause – damaged property, increased cleanup costs, and penalties from regulatory agencies for permit violations and/or noncompliance.

A few consumer tips can help PCWASA customers prevent the negative impact of FOG on their own plumbing, the Authority’s wastewater collection system, and the environment:
1. Put used cooking oils and fats, oils, and grease in tight-sealed containers, which can then be thrown away in the trash.
2. Put food scraps from cookware and dishes in the trash as well, rather than down the kitchen drain.
3. Wipe pots and pans with a dry paper towel prior to washing.

“With the help of our customers, we can greatly diminish the amount of fats, oils, and grease entering our system, which will in turn reduce our maintenance costs and system repairs,” says Stephen Hogan, PCWASA General Manager. “By properly disposing of these harmful substances, customers will protect their household plumbing, our community’s sewer system, as well as our environment.”

Media contact:
Chris Wood, Ph.D.
770-757-1681 (phone)
jcwood@uga.edu (email)