SNL Mocks Baltimore's 'Fatberg' Sewer Problems

BALTIMORE, MD — A so-called "fatberg" of congealed fat from foods and flushable wipes that caused sewer problems in Baltimore received a mention on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend. The city's department of public works urged residents last week not to send fats, grease and oils from cooking down the city's pipes and said the residue hardens with wipes that don't biodegrade into a disgusting, solid lump that is clogging Baltimore's sewer systems.

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works' vivid description of "a massive plug of grease (that) has been growing, far below the surface, in a midtown sewer main" between Baltimore Penn Station and the 1700 block of Charles Street caught media attention. City officials said the "fatberg" caused a dry-weather sewer overflow on Sept. 21, which sent nearly 1.2 million gallons of waste into the Jones Falls at North Charles and West Lanvale streets. It was the second time in as many weeks that the fatberg created a sewer overflow.

The show's "Weekend Update" segment host Colin Jost got a dig in about the dilemma.

“Maintenance workers in Baltimore say they have cleared an 140-ton ‘fatberg’ from the sewer system, which is made up of congealed fat and waste that will not break down,” Jost said. “So good news, Baltimore: The McRib is back.”

You can find the swipe at the 1:06 mark in the segment here:

Can the Grease, Trash the Wipes

Residents should take steps to keep fats, oils and grease and non-flushable items out of the sewer system and prevent overflows. Here are a few tips from the city:

• Do not put fats, oil or grease down the drain.
• During food preparation and cleanup, pour unused grease from the “pan to the can.” Once it solidifies in an empty can, put it in the trash.
• Do not flush "flushable” wipes; put them in the trash instead. Wet wipes don’t break down in water and create sewer blockages.
• The only items that should be considered flushable are poo, pee and toilet paper.

For additional information and other tips on protecting your pipes, visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov.

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Still image from "Saturday Night Live" video clip on YouTube