Grease Reminder From City Crews, Recent Sewer Overflow Cleaned Up Successfully

The City of Madison Engineering Division wants to remind the public to avoid pouring fats, oil, grease (FOG) and other food waste in home drains this season. A ditch area on the City of Madison’s east side is clean after a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) caused by grease buildup happened at 12:30 p.m., Dec. 5, 2024. 

The overflow happened at the 5800 block of Milwaukee Street.

The City of Madison Engineering Division responded immediately and minimal sewage spilled into the area. The sanitary sewer manhole overflowed into the ditch on the north side of Milwaukee Street. The wastewater was contained in the ditch with silt sock.  No wastewater reached the storm sewer.

Crews arrived on site at 1 p.m., Dec. 5, 2024, after a local resident noticed the overflow and reported the incident. An Engineering Division vactor crew vacuumed water from ditch and the SSO was stopped by 2 p.m. All visible wastewater was contained and the area was cleaned.

The cause of the overflow was high volumes of grease solidifying in the sewer.  After cleaning the sewer, the problem was corrected.  As a reminder, please do not use home drains to pour fats, oil, grease (FOG) or other food waste. FOG can solidify in the sewers and cause back-ups, especially during colder months.     

It is part of Wisconsin State Law to report sewer blockages and overflows.

This notice is provided in compliance with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Administrative Code and the City of Madison’s Capacity, Maintenance, Operations & Management (CMOM) Program.