Don’t Ruin Your Holiday Celebrations with a Clogged Sewer Line

December 22, 2025

The City of San Diego has issued a holiday season reminder to residents about proper disposal of cooking fats, oils, and grease to prevent plumbing problems. When poured down drains, these substances can accumulate in pipes over time, potentially causing complete blockages that result in sewage spills. Such spills pose environmental and public health risks by contaminating local water bodies including bays, rivers, and beaches, which may force temporary closures of these areas.

Who is affected

San Diego residents (as homeowners and users of the sewer system)
San Diego's bays, rivers, and beaches (environmental impact)
Users/visitors of San Diego's waterways and beaches (facing unsafe conditions and closures)
City of San Diego Public Utilities Department

What action is being taken

The City of San Diego is reminding residents to keep fats, oils, and grease out of their drains

Why it matters

Cooking grease poured down drains can cause complete pipe blockages leading to sewer spills. These spills create environmental contamination by reaching San Diego's bays, rivers, and beaches, resulting in unsafe conditions for public health and recreation, temporary closures of water areas, and costly cleanup and repair expenses for both residents and the city.

What's next

Residents experiencing sewer spills should call the Public Utilities emergency hotline at 619-515-3525
Residents can visit sandiego.gov for additional information about preventing sewer spills

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint