Keep fats, oils, and grease out of the drain, and wipes out of the pipes.

SANTA MARGARITA WATER DISTRICT • NOVEMBER 2026

Keep Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Out of the Drain

November is FOG Awareness Month. FOG—fats, oils, and grease—can come from cooking oil, butter, gravy, sauces, and meat drippings. When poured down the drain, FOG can cool, harden, and build up inside pipes, contributing to clogs, sewer backups, and wastewater system problems. Help protect your plumbing and our community's shared wastewater system.

Holiday Kitchen Checklist

Before washing Thanksgiving dishes:

Scrape food scraps into the trash or compost
Allow larger amounts of grease to cool
Wipe grease from pans with a paper towel
Place cooled grease in a sealed container and dispose of it properly
Never pour fats, oils, or grease down the sink

Learn more at SMWD.com/FOG and why it's important to keep FOG out of the drain.

El Niño Update: From the Field

SMWD continues to monitor weather conditions and prepare for El Niño's potential impacts, including heavier rainfall and increased wastewater flows.

Year-round inspections, maintenance, emergency planning, and trained staff help support reliable service when wet weather puts additional pressure on the system.

Customers can help by keeping fats, oils, grease, wipes, and other materials out of the wastewater system. Small actions at home can help protect pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities year-round and during wet weather.

How FOG Can Make an El Niño Year More Challenging

During an El Niño year, heavier rainfall can increase the amount of water entering and moving through sewer systems. Higher flows can strain sewer lines, pumps, and treatment facilities.

FOG-related blockages can make wet-weather conditions more challenging by restricting flow and increasing the potential for backups.

Help keep wastewater flowing by keeping fats, oils, and grease out of the sink, toilet, and storm drain.

The Unrealized Impact of Wipes

Wipes are not flushable. Unlike toilet paper, wipes don't break down quickly and can collect with grease and other debris, causing blockages, sewer backups, and pump problems.

Flush only the three Ps: pee, poop, and toilet paper. Put wipes, paper towels, tissues, and other products in the trash.

Thank You for Supporting Norte Fire Response

Thank you, customers, for reducing non-essential water use during the recent Norte Fire and windy conditions.

We sincerely thank the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and mutual aid partners for their extraordinary efforts to contain the fire and protect our community. Our hearts go out to the affected families and firefighters.

SMWD Recognized for Excellence in IT Practices

Santa Margarita Water District is proud to have received the 2026 Excellence in IT Practices Award from the Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC).

The recognition reflects strong governance and day-to-day IT operations, including cybersecurity, planning, service continuity, and disaster preparedness.

Strong technology practices help protect the systems that support SMWD’s drinking water, recycled water, and wastewater services.

Turn Back the Clocks—and Turn Down Your Irrigation

Daylight Saving Time ended Nov. 1, bringing shorter days and cooler weather. It is a good reminder to adjust your irrigation schedule, since landscapes generally need less water during fall and winter.

Turn off irrigation when rain is expected. After rainfall, leave systems off for at least 48 hours to let the soil absorb moisture.

Weather-based smart irrigation timers automatically adjust watering schedules and can suspend irrigation during rain. SMWD offers $125 rebates for qualifying timers. Learn more at SMWD.com/Rebates.