14 DECEMBER 5, 2019 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Do your part to help stop fi lthy fl ooding
A “fatberg” might sound like a
funny term to some, but it’s
far from a laughing matter
for residents in one part of our
city.
The city’s Department of Environmental
Protection defines a fatberg
(a portmanteau of fat and iceberg)
as a mass “of congealed grease and
personal hygiene products that
have been found lingering in sewers
around the world.” In recent years,
the city’s tried to call attention to
fatbergs, urging residents not to
dump everything down the drain
— as the masses could cause major
sewer backups and blockages.
One such incident occurred on a
large scale in Queens this weekend,
when more than 80 homes were
flooded with raw sewage. After an
investigation, DEP officials believe
the nasty backup was the result
of a massive fatberg in the sewer
system.
The affected homeowners were
exposed to foulness beyond description
— and have begun what
will be a very costly cleanup. Other
homeowners in the city, however,
EDITORIAL
Raw sewage fl owed into dozens of homes in South Jamaica last weekend. Photo by Todd Maisel
are not immune to a similar fate.
The sewer systems of New York
City are under greater strain every
year. That’s a byproduct of greater
development across the city, above
a sewer system still not fully
equipped to handle it.
Evidence of that problem is the
discharge of “combined sewer
overflows” into waterways such as
the Newtown Creek. This happens
frequently during periods of heavy
precipitation; the overflows may
take strain off the sewer system,
but it compounds the pollution in
the creek.
Other fatbergs lie in wait across
the system, but more often than
not, they’re only discovered after a
problem occurs.
The DEP conducts regular maintenance,
such as catch basin cleanings,
to limit the amount of debris in the
sewer system. It has also embarked
on numerous sewer upgrades across
the city, spending tens of millions of
dollars to do so.
But none of that will help prevent
future backups if we keep thinking
it’s okay to dump anything and everything
down the drain or toilet.
Use a disposable container to get
rid of used grease or oil, and throw
that container in the garbage. Toss
items such as baby wipes or sanitary
napkins in with regular trash.
Taking these steps isn’t only about
being environmentally consciousness.
It’s about being a responsible
New Yorker protecting each other’s
homes and businesses from filthy
flooding.
THE HOT TOPIC
STORY:
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SUMMARY:
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REACH:
5,964 People Reached (as of 12/2/19)
ESTABLISHED 1908
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Reporters
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BILL PARRY
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