The holidays should be about family, food, and celebration—not surprise plumbing bills. As families across New Jersey prepare for holiday feasts, New Jersey American Water is reminding customers that what goes down the drain can come back to haunt your plumbing and your pockets. With the rising cost of living from groceries to home repairs, no one needs an expensive plumbing bill this season. Preventing clogged pipes during heavy holiday cooking is one of the easiest ways to save money and protect our wastewater systems, starting with proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) from holiday cooking.

When FOGs are poured directly down the drain, they cool and harden inside pipes, creating stubborn, thick blockages that can lead to sewer backups and expensive plumbing repairs. Dishwashing detergents and garbage disposals cannot break down these materials, which accumulate over time inside your pipes.

“Even if it seems harmless, rinsing grease down the drain can turn a joyful holiday into a stressful and costly experience,” said Ben Morris, vice president of Operations for New Jersey American Water. “Taking a few simple steps can save you money, protect your home, and keep our wastewater systems flowing smoothly.”

Quick Fixes That Save Big:

• Cool it, then trash it. Let grease cool down to solidify, then scrape it into the trash.
• Catch the scraps. Use a strainer in the sink to keep food particles out of pipes.
• Don’t trust the disposal. Garbage disposals don’t prevent grease buildup; never rinse FOGs down the drain.

As temperatures drop, New Jersey American Water also wants to remind customers that frozen pipes can be just as disruptive — and expensive — as clogged drains. Protect your home by insulating exposed pipes, keeping garage doors closed, and letting faucets drip during extreme cold. For more cold weather tips, visit:

http://www.newjerseyamwater.com/wintertips.

Seasonal challenges can add up, so for customers who need a little extra help this winter, New Jersey American Water offers customer assistance programs like its H2O Help to Others Program™, providing financial support for qualifying households. Learn more at www.newjerseyamwater.com/h2oprogram.

Seasonal preparedness also means using water wisely, especially with the Garden State under a drought watch. Customers can monitor their water usage and find ways to conserve their water online through their MyWater account. Additional indoor and outdoor water-saving tips can be found on New Jersey American Water’s website or at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Water Conservation website.