Meridian Township, MI
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FOG
Fats Oils Grease
Keep Pipes Clear
Pouring fats, oils and grease (FOG) down your drain can cause significant damage to the pipes in your home and the Township sanitary sewer system. These substances can build up in pipes which can ruin plumbing and prevent wastewater from moving through sanitary sewer pipes to the treatment plant.
FOG can also increase the cost of operating and maintaining sanitary sewer pipes and treatment plants.
FOG can cool and accumulate on the inside of your pipes. Over time, this restricts water flow and causes blockages in the sewer which can result in overflowing manholes or basement backups.
How to Avoid Costly Clogs
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Don’t put oil, grease or food scraps down the drain. Instead, place them into trash bins or covered collection containers like cans.
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Don’t run hot water over greasy dishes, pans or fryers. Wipe the grease off with a paper towel before washing dishes by hand or in the dishwasher.
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Don’t rely on a garbage disposal. Instead, use a strainer in the sink to collect excess food particles.
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Don’t use chemicals to remove grease clogs; they can damage the piping system.
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Pour, scrape, or otherwise dispose of fats, oils, or grease into cans.
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Collect fryer oil and store in barrels for recycling.
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Do not put food (including liquid food) like milk shake syrups, batters and gravy down the drain
No Wipes Down the Pipes
Only three items should be flushed down the drain; #1, #2 and toilet paper. All other material is not made to flush smoothly through the sewer system. Please help keep the Meridian Township sewer system flowing smoothly by not flushing anything else down the toilet.
Unfortunately, some items marketed as “flushable” have become a threat to residential and municipal sewer systems, causing expensive clogs and messy sewage back up in homes and businesses.
If you must use a “wet wipe” instead of toilet paper, please dispose of them in the garbage. Remember, the only thing you should ever flush down a toilet is #1, #2 and toilet paper. And keep in mind: “No Wipes Down the Pipes”
Some items not to flush:
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Baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, moist wipes, etc.
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Diapers (cloth, disposable, "flushable")
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Sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, or any non- organic material
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Fats, oils, and grease (FOG)
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Dental floss, Q-tips and cotton balls
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“Swiffers” toilet bowl scrub pads
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Napkins (paper or cloth), paper towels, facial tissues
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Seeds, peelings, egg shells, nutshells, and coffee grounds
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Bandages and bandage wrappings
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Clothing, Wash cloths, towels, rags (any cloth item)
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Plastic of any kind
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Medicines/pharmaceuticals (put original containers in a plastic zip-lock bag, throw the bag in the trash or take to a recycling, drop-off, or household hazardous waste collection)
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Harmful chemicals such as solvent-based glue, paint, strippers, wood preservatives, nail polish, antifreeze, engine cleaners/degreasers, gasoline, motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides, and pool/spa chemicals
Pollution Isn't Pretty
Stormwater Management
There are several watershed management efforts currently underway by local watershed groups. Their mission is to improve regional water quality and management. The Greater Lansing Regional Committee for stormwater management (GLRC) collaborates on several different projects and efforts related to water quality improvements, recreational opportunities, pollution prevention and in general regional water resource management.
Learn more about the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management
Greater Lansing Regional Committee Annual Reports
Greater Lansing Regional Committee Quarterly Newsletters
If you see any illicit discharges or improper disposal of materials into the Stormwater System, please contact the Meridian Township Public Works Department at 517.853.4440.
Storm Water Management Documents
- Meridian Township Pollution Prevention Manual
- Meridian Public Education Plan - Revised September 2018
- Appendix C - Enforcement Response Procedure
- Appendix E - Illicit Discharge Elimination Plan
- Appendix F - Regulatory Mechanism
- Post Construction Stormwater Runoff Program
- 2016-2020 Meridian Township Progress Report
- Combined Flyers for Businesses
- Combined GLRC Brochures
- Combined PDF of GLRC Articles
- Ingham County Point Of Sale Brochure