Fats, oils and greases (FOGs) 

Fats, oils and greases (FOGs) are expected by-products of food preparation, whether on a large scale as found in the food industry, or the incidental amounts caused by residential cooking.  When cooking fats, oils and grease are poured down the drain, they tend to collect and stick to household plumbing and sewer lines. Over time blockages occur that lead to sewer backups, sometimes causing sewage to overflow from plumbing fixtures or sewer system manholes.

Tumwater Municipal Code, Section 13.08.065 prohibits “any wastewater having a fat waste, oil or grease (FOG) content, whether or not emulsified, in excess of one hundred (100) milligrams per liter” from being discharged through the city sewer system to the LOTT wastewater treatment facility.  Greases and other food wastes can quickly accumulate and cause blockages in smaller pipes heavily used by food services. 

Contributing to the blockage problem is the widespread use of products designed to emulsify wastes or otherwise clear drains of grease build-up. These products include biological and chemical treatment agents, and cleaners such as caustic and lye. While these products may clean or open your drains, they do not render the grease harmless; instead, once the grease moves downstream it tends to coagulate again. If this happens often enough, businesses or homes may experience expensive and inconvenient sewer back-ups. While emulsifiers and cleaners may clear pipes in the short term, they create larger and more expensive problems for you and your sewer utility in the long term.

To avoid future blockage problems, the City of Tumwater has developed the FOG Program to educate food service providers on the proper practices for dealing with FOG.  Proper practices include the use of grease interceptors and traps that are designed to remove FOG from the wastewater stream.

The Sewer Comprehensive Plan

The Sewer Comprehensive Plan provides the City of Tumwater with a tool to design, expand, operate, and maintain the wastewater collection system to meet the needs of our community. The plan was completed in 2015 and approved by the Department of Ecology. 

 

2015 General Sewer Plan - FINAL
Appendix A1 - WAC Checklist
Appendix A2 - NPDES - BITP
Appendix B - Existing Lift Station Summary
Appendix C - Public Works Sanitary Sewer Standards
Appendix D - Projected Flow Per Basin
Appendix E - Urban Septic Assessment Map
Appendix F - Assessment Costs
Appendix G1 - COT Overflow Response Plan
Appendix G2 - Sewer Basin Rankings
Appendix H - SEPA Checklist and Determination
High-Efficiency Toilet Rebate Application for Septic Systems Update 3.29.21
COT Rebate Application
Application Septic to Sewer

Sanitary Sewer

For Sewer Backups, please contact our Water Resources Operations Division at (360) 754-4150

The City of Tumwater operates and maintains the sanitary sewer collection system throughout the city, routinely inspecting manholes, main lines and lift stations.  Here is some general information on the various sanitary sewer issues and ongoing programs.

Sanitary Sewer Plan

The Sanitary Sewer Plan highlights the system inventory, functional status and discusses current and future needs.  Review the final plan here: 2015 Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Plan Update

About the sanitary sewer system

The Sanitary Sewer System is comprised of two primary units – collection and treatment.  The City of Tumwater provides for the collection and delivery of the wastewater to the treatment center.  The treatment center is owned and operated by the regional LOTT Clean Water Alliance, a technically independent municipal authority with oversight provided by elected officials from Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County.  For more information on LOTT, visit their website

Funding

Funding for the Sanitary Sewer Program is provided by utility rates, paid for by each customer monthly – for both collection and treatment.  You may notice two fees on your utility bill – one for the City of Tumwater, and one for LOTT. Your LOTT fees pay for waste treatment; the Tumwater fees pay for collection and delivery of your wastewater to the treatment plant.

Have a problem to report?

Visit our Sewer Backups or call (360) 754-4150.

Sewer Backups

The City of Tumwater's Water Resources Operations Division is responsible for mitigation and clean-up of all sewer spills located on public property. A public sewer spill, also called a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO), is the result of blockages in the sewer lines owned and maintained by the City. A private sewer spill is a spill that is the result of blockages in the customer's lateral sewer line. The City is required to report public and private sewer spills to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Report sanitary sewer overflow immediately!

If a Sanitary Sewer Overflow occurs on your property, or you observe one in the street, immediately report it to the Operations Division at (360) 754-4150. Calls can be received 24/7.  

If the overflow/spill is occurring on your property, please follow these steps:

1. Stop flushing toilets or using water until the blockage is cleared and the spill is cleaned-up.
2. If wastewater gets near electrical outlets, turn off the electricity using the breaker box.
3. If the blockage is on your private property, contact a local plumber to help you clear the line.
4. Call Water Resources Operations at (360) 754-4150 to report the spill.
5. Avoid the area until clean-up crews arrive.

Sanitary waste can be a serious health risk. Take appropriate precautions when attempting to contain or clean up a sanitary spill on your property.  If you have any questions, give us a call!

What Causes a Sewer Back-up?

Anything, which should not be in a sewer line, has the potential of causing a blockage. For example:

• Kitchen grease, disposable diapers, paper and cloth towels, sanitary napkins and even dental floss can accumulate and cause a blockage. 
• Tree roots seeking moisture can grow through cracks in the lines, causing a blockage. 
• Vandals have stopped up lines by putting bricks, wood, oil filters, bed springs, and even Christmas trees in manholes.
• Illegal hookups allow excess water into the lines. Outside stairwell drains, sump pumps, roof and drain gutters should never be connected to the sewer system. A sewer system is designed to carry a predetermined amount of sewage. Rain water not only overloads the system, but also raises the cost of the treatment process.

What Can I Do to Prevent Back-ups?

To protect your property follow these simple tips.

• DON’T put diapers, sanitary napkins or anything else in the toilet – even if it says “Flushable!” Only flush what you’ve eaten first and toilet paper.
• DON’T dispose of grease down the drain.
• DON’T plant trees near sewer lines 
• DON’T connect any drains or sump pumps to the sewer system.

And, just in case...

• Locate and keep accessible the sewer cleanout in your front yard. If you do not have a cleanout, have one installed by a plumber. The cleanout is the property owner’s responsibility 
• Check your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you are not covered for back-ups, call your agent for information on costs and coverage options 
• If you experience a back-up, save all receipts related to any repair, cleaning, or damages