Clean Drain Campaign

The Clean Drain Campaign is an initiative from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works to raise the awareness of Baltimore residents about proper disposal practices for cooking fats, oils, grease, wet wipes, and other household waste. These are the things that promote clogs in residential sewer lines, and fatbergs in our public sewer mains. Click here to view this news item from the Today Show website it details the problems with so called "flushable" wipes that really are not flushable!

When you properly dispose of these items by putting them in the trash can instead of a toilet or sink drain, you can reduce clogs and help eliminate sewage backups in our basement and streets, and pollution in our waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

Detailed in this section are educational materials, flyers, and tips to protect yourself and your pipes from clogs and backups, and keep Baltimore free from fatbergs. Citizens are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these resources, which are free to print and distribute.

FOG (fats, oils, and grease) can clog pipes, leading to expensive repairs, long construction timelines, and serious health risks. Always dispose of FOG in the trash, not the drain.

View the Clear the FOG PDF by clicking here.

 

COST OF FOG, Fats, Oils, Grease Don't let FOG clog your pipes, it will cost you: MONEY FOG can cause costly repairs for your home and your community. Hiring a professional to perform a camera Inspection -$450.00 Repairing a sewer line -S3,818 (national average). A complicated sewer line repair -$30,000 TIME Replacing a sewer line is a large construction project. On average: It can take from 3-5 days to complete. Total landscape restoration could take 1- 6 months to return to pre- existing conditions. HEALTH Attempting to clean up a sewer backup can cause serious infections, including viral hepatitis, if not done correctly. It's always best to hire a professional company. Never try to clean up sewage backup in your home. Items damaged by sewage must be replaced or professionally restored.

 

flyer with new dpw logo

Only flush pee, poo, and toilet paper. ‘Flushable’ wipes and other items can cause clogs, backups, and costly damage by forming fatbergs in sewers. Think before you flush—avoid unflushables.

Use 2025 Public Meeting Virtual Meeting Room “Sewer Heroes” graphic:

sewer-hero-graphics