Jul 18, 2011 by Dr. Chris Wood

The Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority (PCWASA) is fortunate to have the professional expertise of approximately 40 employees with various responsibilities within the utility’s wastewater collection and treatment system, says General Manager Stephen Hogan. It is a diverse and accomplished work force, he adds.

One of those leaders on the PCWASA staff is also a leader within the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP). Keisha Lisbon Thorpe, P.E., the Division Manager for Technical Services at the Authority, moderated a technical session on Diversity during the recent GAWP Annual Conference & Expo in Savannah. She also chairs the Diversity Committee for the Association.

As a result of Thorpe’s guidance, the technical sessions on Diversity at the GAWP Annual Conference featured panel discussions that included the topic of “The Why and How of Diversity in the Water Industry.”

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

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)