This is what happens if you pour used cooking oil down the drain

The Bogotá Aqueduct and Sewerage Company (EAAB) launches the campaign "Each one for his own, like water and oil"; so that restaurant owners, food processors and citizens from their homes, properly dispose of used cooking oil and fats derived from food preparation.

Oil is an essential element in the kitchen when preparing and frying food. However, the handling that many give to the leftovers from fried foods, throwing them down the siphon of the dishwasher, makes this relationship "toxic" for the environment and has serious consequences for the proper functioning of sewage networks.

The accumulation of these substances in the rainwater and wastewater networks forms balls of grease, technically known as 'fatbergs', which reduce the capacity of the pipes and generate clogging and flooding.

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How to properly dispose of used cooking oil?

Cristina Arango, manager of the EAAB, indicated that collecting used cooking oil in bottles and avoiding throwing it down the siphon or installing grease traps in food establishments is the best act of reconciliation with the environment.

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— Dave Williams Tue Jul 14 20:53:18 +0000 2020

When filling the bottles with used oil, they can be taken to the Company's collection point located on Avenida Calle 24 with Carrera 37 in the Corferias sector or at another 130 authorized points in the city, which can be consulted at the following link :https://visorgeo.ambientebogota.gov.co/posconsumo/minimo/?lon=-74.110759&lat=4.615645&z=10&l=5:131:1

The official also reminded the owners of restaurants and food preparation industries that environmental regulations require these establishments to generate, collect, treat and properly use vegetable oil through the use of grease traps, to avoid the dumping of these substances. that pollute water bodies.

Here, the trill in which you can see how to properly dispose of used cooking oil:

Can companies and restaurants request guidance for the proper disposal of used cooking oil?

Yes, for this, people who require guidance for the installation and characterization of discharges can request it by email: efluentes.industriales@acueducto.com.co; From there, EAAB officials will provide information and technical support.

What happens if I dump the oil into the sewer?

According to the Bogotá Aqueduct and Sewerage Company, in the last year 4,352 blockages in the sewerage network caused by balls of grease and oil were treated. In an analysis of the environmental area and the Company's operating areas, more than 28 critical points were identified for the discharge of these substances in the northwest of the city, especially in the towns of Suba, Engativá and Chapinero.

Similarly, in 2020, more than 25 tons of supernatant material were removed, including fats and oils that enter the PTAR Salitre Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The removal of oils and fats, together with the maintenance of the sewage system that also includes the collection of debris, garbage and hygienic waste such as wet wipes, cost the EAAB about 30 billion pesos in the last year.

At the launch of the campaign, 10 restaurants and food places in the northwest of the city were recognized with the seal that highlights good practices with the management of oil and sewage. This EAAB initiative is part of the cultural transformation that is being carried out to generate a change in the habits of citizens in their relationship with water resources.

In the following image you will find the Bogotá Aqueduct campaign: "Each one for his own, like water and oil":