A Winter Water Message from Julia J. Hunt, P.E.
Director, Arlington Water Utilities

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)

This holiday season, it is important for all of us to remember how to properly dispose of fats, oils and grease.  Fats, oils and grease from cooking and frying can clog your plumbing, sanitary sewer service line, as well as the city's sanitary sewer collection system if not disposed of properly.  When fats, oils and grease accumulate in a sanitary sewer, it can cause a blockage.  This results in a sanitary sewer back up or overflow.

We can avoid unnecessary expense and damage to the sewer system by following a few simple guidelines.

Try these helpful hints:

• Small amounts of cooking oil can be soaked up with a paper towel or poured into a closed-lid container such as a coffee can and disposed of in the trash.
   

• To dispose of a large quantity of cooking oil, let the oil cool after use.  Slowly pour kitty litter into the oil.  When the oil has been absorbed, discard it in a tightly sealed trash bag to prevent leaks.  The trash bag can be placed in the garbage for proper disposal.

Fort Worth Environmental Collection Center also accepts large quantities of cooking oil and grease.  As an Arlington resident, you have access to this facility at no additional cost to you.

The center is located at:

Fort Worth Environmental Collection Center
6400 Bridge Street
Fort Worth, TX
Ph: 817-871-5257

Winter Water Adjustments for Irrigation

As cooler weather approaches, we can save water by making these adjustments.

• During the winter months, lawns and landscapes need less water.  A typical lawn only needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water every three weeks during the winter months.  Conserving water during these months will also help reduce your sewer charge.

• Each year, monthly water consumption is measured (during the months of December - March) and averaged to establish the maximum sewer charge for each residential customer.  By conserving water during this period, residents can control their sewer costs for the next 12 months.

• We can all be more responsible by installing rain and freeze sensors on all irrigation system controllers.  Rain and freeze sensors prevent your automatic sprinkler system from watering during a storm or cold icy weather.  Using a rain and freeze sensor prevents irrigation systems from running during cold weather.  This prevents sidewalks and roadways from icing over.

Other tips for winterizing to conserve water include:

• Covering and insulating all outdoor spigots and pipes

• Insulating hot water pipes

• Checking for and repairing leaks

Get Helpful Tips for Saving Water Year-Round

The City of Arlington appreciates your commitment to conserving water and we encourage you to save water and money by changing your water use habits today.

Visit www.SaveArlingtonWater.com for more water conservation tips.  For more information about this message, send us an e-mail at water@arlingtontx.gov or call 817-459-6600.  Together, we can ensure a reliable water supply for future generations.