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City of Springfield warns residents to avoid fats, oils and "flushable" wipes this Thanksgiving
Summary
Service director Chris Moore and host Karen Graves warned listeners on the City of Springfield—s "At Your Service" program that fats, oils and greases and so‑called "flushable" wipes commonly cause sewer backups; Moore advised customers to call the city—s 24/7 emergency line before hiring after‑hours plumbers.
SPRINGFIELD — Service director Chris Moore urged Springfield residents on the City of Springfield—s “At Your Service” radio program to keep fats, oils and greases out of household drains and to avoid flushing so‑called "flushable" wipes this Thanksgiving to reduce the risk of sewer backups.
Moore said the holiday increase in cooking and household guests multiplies what goes down kitchen and bathroom drains, raising the likelihood of clogs in both private plumbing and the public sewer system. "They were big logs of grease; they look like a newspaper on your front porch," Moore said, describing grease that can consolidate in sewers and trap toilet paper and other debris.
"Flushable wipes are truly not flushable," host Karen Graves added on the broadcast, echoing Moore—s warning that marketing claims do not mean a product is safe for plumbing or sewer systems.
Moore recommended minimizing use of garbage disposals where possible and said, "soap and water" is the simplest thing homeowners can let go down their kitchen sinks to protect pipes. He also described how low‑use bathrooms in older relatives' homes can harbor small obstructions that become problematic when many guests arrive.
As a practical step, Moore told listeners who pay a sewer bill to the City of Springfield that they should contact the city first if they experience a backup so the city can determine whether the blockage is in the public line before a homeowner pays for an after‑hours plumber. On the program Moore read the city's emergency sewer line as (937) 324-7663 and said it is staffed 24/7; later in the episode a different number, (937) 324-7633, was also read. The transcript contains both versions.
The program closed with holiday well wishes and a reminder that prevention (disposing of fats/greases in the trash, avoiding wipes and limiting heavy toilet paper use when guests are present) is the quickest way to avoid the time and cost of backups.
The show did not announce any new ordinance or formal city action; the guidance was presented as operational advice from the service department.
