This holiday season, celebrate clean pipes and Can the Grease when preparing holiday meals

As Miami-Dade County residents prepare for Thanksgiving — with turkeys roasting, pies cooling, and kitchens in full swing — the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) is reminding customers to protect their homes and the County’s wastewater system by keeping fats, oils, grease, and food scraps out of sinks and drains.

Even small amounts of grease poured down the drain can cool, harden, and create costly blockages inside home plumbing or within the public sewer system. To prevent backups, residents should pour grease into a heat-safe container, allow it to solidify, and then place it in the trash. Plates should be scraped into the garbage before loading the dishwasher, and food scraps should always be thrown away rather than placed in a garbage disposal.

Improper disposal has real impacts. Over the past year, WASD crews responded to more than 600 grease and debris related clogs — including blockages caused by items such as wet wipes, which should never be flushed. If clogs or backups occur within private-side wastewater lines, repairs are the homeowner’s responsibility.

“These are issues we can prevent together,” said WASD Director Jay Fink. “A few simple habits in the kitchen — especially during a busy holiday like Thanksgiving — can prevent costly repairs for residents and reduce strain on our wastewater infrastructure. Every household plays an important role in keeping our system running safely and efficiently.”

These preventable incidents cost the County approximately $383,000 and place unnecessary strain on critical infrastructure. Small everyday habits, especially during heavy cooking periods like Thanksgiving, play a significant role in protecting the system year-round.

For more tips on proper grease disposal and to learn about WASD’s ongoing efforts to prevent sewer blockages, visit “Can the Grease” and  Think Before You Flush.

The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible water and wastewater services to nearly three million residents every day. For additional information about Department services and programs, visit the WASD website.