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Fats hinder waste treatment Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Water reclamation supervisor Gail Hammond describes problems caused by grease in the region's wastewater treatment system, as a collection area in the foreground shows some of the end result. He says much of the problem appears to come from certain fast-food restaurants. Plant operators say unusual amounts are entering system By JESSICA SMITH Think you might make fried chicken for dinner? Think it's OK to pour that used frying oil down the kitchen drain? Think again. Unusually high levels of oil and grease are showing up in the water washed down area drains, leading officials at the regional wastewater treatment plant to remind households and businesses of the correct way to dispose of the slick stuff. "We're designed to handle a certain amount of oil and grease," said Gail Hammond, a supervisor at the Kirtland Road plant. "But if it comes in excessive amounts, it causes problems." Too much oil and grease can interfere with mechanical and biological treatment processes at the plant. According to Harley James, plant superintendent, there is no data available on the amount of oil and grease funneled into the wastewater system. Still, the increase becomes evident in the treatment process, he said. With heightened levels of oil and grease, James said, there's more foaming in the biological treatment process and solid waste doesn't settle as well in the clarifying tanks. And it's difficult to separate the oil and grease from the water in the process. The plant hasn't violated state environmental standards for pollutants released into the river, where the region's cleaned wastewater is discharged, but officials say the higher levels of oil and grease are cause for concern. "Ultimately, we don't want it to get into the Rogue River," said Hammond. "We certainly don't want oils and grease to pass into the river. "If it (the level of oil and grease) doesn't get better, we could have some problems," Hammond added. "But we have something here that is really easy to take care of." It's unclear why more oils and grease are being flushed into the wastewater stream. Hammond attributed the increase to overall growth in the valley - there are more homes and more fast-food restaurants, and industries continue to expand, creating more waste. To prevent further increases, treatment plant officials inspect businesses that use large amounts of oil and grease - businesses such as metal fabricators, fruit processors, wood products manufacturers and fast-food restaurants - to identify sources of high concentrations. Plant officials also educate businesses on safe disposal practices and check for cleanliness of grease traps meant to prevent the stuff from flowing into the waste stream. Officials don't monitor homes, but Hammond said residents are encouraged to dispose of oil and grease in the trash, not the drain. Reach reporter Jessica Smith at 776-4481, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.