Patriots Super Bowl return prompts Town reminder on grease and wipe disposal
(2-minute read)
Flyer by the Town of Reading.
With the New England Patriots headed back to the Super Bowl, excitement is building for game-day gatherings, watch parties, and plenty of football food. Town officials are encouraging residents to celebrate, but also to protect home plumbing and the sewer system while doing it.
Recent cold weather combined with greasy cooking waste and so-called “flushable” wipes can significantly increase the risk of sewer backups and household drain clogs - an unwelcome surprise on Super Bowl Sunday.
Officials say a few simple steps can help prevent messy and costly problems.
Avoid a game-day plumbing penalty
Flyer by the Town of Reading.
Handle grease the right way
Let cooking grease and fats cool
Pour into a container and throw it in the trash - not down the drain
Prep pans before washing
Wipe greasy pots and pans with a paper towel first
The wash as usual to reduce buildup in pipes
Only flush toilet paper
Do not flush wipes - even if labeled “flushable”
No paper towels, napkins, or hygiene products down the toilet
Flyer by the Town of Reading.
A game plan that works
Town staff note that grease and wipes are among the leading causes of residential sewer backups, especially during cold stretches when fats harden more quickly inside pipes.
The message to residents: Be smart, be clean, and don’t be a pain in the drain. Keep the celebration where it belongs - on the field and on your screen - not in your plumbing.
