Don’t Let FOGs Crash Your Cookout!
New Jersey American Water Offers Tips to Keep Summer BBQs Clog-Free
CAMDEN, N.J. – JULY 2, 2025 – As grills fire up and backyard parties kick off for the Fourth of July, New Jersey American Water has a friendly reminder for customers and vacationers – ‘Don’t let FOGs crash your cookout!’ While burgers, ribs, and fried favorites are summer staples, the fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) left behind can turn your backyard bash into a plumbing disaster if they go down the drain.
When poured down the sink, FOGs cool and congeal, sticking to the insides of pipes like barbecue sauce to ribs. Neither dishwashing detergents nor garbage disposals have the ability to properly break down these materials, which build up over time. Eventually, this sludge can cause sewer blockages, backups, and overflows, which pose potential health and environmental hazards.
Additionally, a portion of the state is under an active Drought Watch, and New Jersey American Water’s Voluntary Conservation Notice is still in effect for all customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. It is equally important for customers to be mindful of their water usage as it is to dispose of FOGs properly during this season of increased gatherings and travel to the Jersey shore.
“Maybe we’re biased, but there’s no better place to celebrate in the summer than New Jersey,” said Ben Morris, Vice President of Operations for New Jersey American Water. “Whether you're a lifelong local or just here for the week, please be respectful of our water resources and infrastructure this summer by using water wisely and keeping FOGs out of the drain.”
New Jersey American Water provides the following FOG disposal and conservation tips for the summer season:
Proper FOG Disposal:
- The answer is not at your disposal. No matter how powerful your garbage disposal may be, it can’t prevent FOGs from sticking to your pipes. Never rinse FOGs down the drain.
- Strain it, don’t drain it. To keep food scraps out of pipes, install a basket or strainer in the drain and empty the trapped pieces into the trash.
- Let’s talk trash. Scrape all food scraps and FOGs from plates, pots, and utensils into the trash before washing.
For more information regarding wastewater tips and treatment, view the infographics on New Jersey American Water’s website, and the FOG disposal video on the company’s YouTube channel. A printable poster with proper FOG disposal tips for restaurants and businesses can also be found on the company's website here.
Wise Water Tips for Customers & Vacationers:
- Sprinkle smart. Irrigate two times per week at a maximum in the early morning or late evening to reduce water loss through evaporation, or skip it altogether if there is rain in the forecast.
- Turn off the tap. Don’t let water run while washing dishes, cleaning vegetables, brushing your teeth, or shaving.
- Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full. If you have a water-saver cycle, use it.
- Take shorter showers. Try to shower in five minutes or less, and don’t let houseguests hog the water.
- Sweep, don’t spray. Use a broom or rake, instead of a hose, to sweep away leaves, acorns, or debris on pavement.
- Share these tips with guests. Encourage family, friends, and renters to adopt water-saving habits during their stay.
New Jersey American Water customers can monitor their water usage and find ways to use water more wisely online through their MyWater account. More indoor and outdoor water-saving tips can be found on New Jersey American Water’s website at newjerseyamwater.com/conservation and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Conservation Website.
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people.
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CAMDEN, N.J. – JULY 2, 2025 – As grills fire up and backyard parties kick off for the Fourth of July, New Jersey American Water has a friendly reminder for customers and vacationers – ‘Don’t let FOGs crash your cookout!’ While burgers, ribs, and fried favorites are summer staples, the fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) left behind can turn your backyard bash into a plumbing disaster if they go down the drain.
When poured down the sink, FOGs cool and congeal, sticking to the insides of pipes like barbecue sauce to ribs. Neither dishwashing detergents nor garbage disposals have the ability to properly break down these materials, which build up over time. Eventually, this sludge can cause sewer blockages, backups, and overflows, which pose potential health and environmental hazards.
Additionally, a portion of the state is under an active Drought Watch, and New Jersey American Water’s Voluntary Conservation Notice is still in effect for all customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. It is equally important for customers to be mindful of their water usage as it is to dispose of FOGs properly during this season of increased gatherings and travel to the Jersey shore.
“Maybe we’re biased, but there’s no better place to celebrate in the summer than New Jersey,” said Ben Morris, Vice President of Operations for New Jersey American Water. “Whether you're a lifelong local or just here for the week, please be respectful of our water resources and infrastructure this summer by using water wisely and keeping FOGs out of the drain.”
New Jersey American Water provides the following FOG disposal and conservation tips for the summer season:
Proper FOG Disposal:
- The answer is not at your disposal. No matter how powerful your garbage disposal may be, it can’t prevent FOGs from sticking to your pipes. Never rinse FOGs down the drain.
- Strain it, don’t drain it. To keep food scraps out of pipes, install a basket or strainer in the drain and empty the trapped pieces into the trash.
- Let’s talk trash. Scrape all food scraps and FOGs from plates, pots, and utensils into the trash before washing.
For more information regarding wastewater tips and treatment, view the infographics on New Jersey American Water’s website, and the FOG disposal video on the company’s YouTube channel. A printable poster with proper FOG disposal tips for restaurants and businesses can also be found on the company's website here.
Wise Water Tips for Customers & Vacationers:
- Sprinkle smart. Irrigate two times per week at a maximum in the early morning or late evening to reduce water loss through evaporation, or skip it altogether if there is rain in the forecast.
- Turn off the tap. Don’t let water run while washing dishes, cleaning vegetables, brushing your teeth, or shaving.
- Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full. If you have a water-saver cycle, use it.
- Take shorter showers. Try to shower in five minutes or less, and don’t let houseguests hog the water.
- Sweep, don’t spray. Use a broom or rake, instead of a hose, to sweep away leaves, acorns, or debris on pavement.
- Share these tips with guests. Encourage family, friends, and renters to adopt water-saving habits during their stay.
New Jersey American Water customers can monitor their water usage and find ways to use water more wisely online through their MyWater account. More indoor and outdoor water-saving tips can be found on New Jersey American Water’s website at newjerseyamwater.com/conservation and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Conservation Website.
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people.