Carlsbad, CA
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It's always important to save water in our dry climate, and Carlsbad has long been a leader in water conservation, desalination and recycled water. If you're looking for more ways to save, these resources can help you get started.
Questions and answers
Protecting our pipelines
There is no end to the fascinating jobs done by city staff. Some of the city's skilled and highly trained Utilities staff work on a system that is half Roomba, half video game and helps make sure our sewer pipes are in good shape.
Pedro (left) and Todd (right), work for our Utilities Department. Each has 15+ years of experience in the field and focuses on inspecting the city’s wastewater pipes to identify anything that might need attention.
The city maintains about 270 miles of wastewater pipelines. Laid end to end, that’s enough pipe to reach all the way from Carlsbad to San Luis Obispo. The goal is to inspect each segment every five years. This means just as our crews finish the final inspection, they start all over again – kind of like painting the Golden Gate Bridge.
This helps us identify where repairs are needed before emergencies arise, which can be expensive and inconvenient.
Here’s a quick overview of how it works:
- We use a remote-control robot equipped with a video camera.
- Pedro lowers the robot into the sewer access hole in the street using a fiberoptic cable connected to their truck.
- Todd “drives” the robot through the pipes using what looks like a video game controller.
- The camera sends a live video feed to screens in the truck, where Todd and Pedro use inspection software to document what they see.
- Todd and Pedro make anywhere from 10 to 30 stops a day, inspecting up to 3,500 feet of pipeline.
One of the things they look for is a buildup of grease. If people wash cooking oil or grease down their sinks it eventually hardens (even if the water was hot and even if a detergent made for grease is used. Over time, these clumps of grease build and build (sometimes as big as a car!) and create a blockage.
“Flushable” wipes are also a problem. They might flush, but they don’t break down like toilet paper. Over time, they all can stick together and create blockages.
Many thanks to Todd and Pedro for the work they do every day to keep our wastewater system in good condition so Carlsbad residents can rest easy.
Disposing of fats, oils and grease
While we’re on the topic, and with many people planning holiday gatherings, I want to share three easy ways you can dispose of cooking oil or fat. Instead of pouring it down the drain and risking clogged pipes for Todd and Pedro to inspect later, follow these tips for reusing, recycling or safely disposing of your cooking oil:
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Use your garbage disposal sparingly. If you’re used to putting potato peels or other food scraps down your garbage disposal, place them in your green bin instead.
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After your cooking pan cools, wipe the residue with a paper towel and throw it in the trash.
- If the oil is still clean, store and reuse it. Let it cool, then strain it through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to remove food particles. Store it in a sealed container in a cool, dark place and reuse it for frying or cooking other meals.
- Pour the cooled oil into a sturdy, sealed container like an empty milk carton or yogurt tub. Place the container in your landfill cart for proper disposal.