Ways to Avoid Drain Clogs

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

Placer County’s Department of Public Works and Facilities / Environmental Engineering Division took the lead in collaborating with their Regional Sewer Group to create the LiveSewerSmart program. Their mission is to educate residents about Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) and other items flushed down the toilet that create huge problems for sewer pipes. Clogs in the sewer line result in costly repairs and environmental impacts. Providing outreach that effectively informs the public about preventing clogs is challenging. Emailing newsletters and attending community events only reaches a small sector of the population so a new kind of outreach campaign, was developed. The campaign consisted of two ads titled “Ways to Avoid Drain Clogs from FOG” and “Things You Should Not Flush Down Your Toilet”. The ads were a snappy fifteen seconds each, and were shown in local movie theaters as part of the preview show; directing viewers to the LiveSewerSmart.com website to learn more, (e.g. how to request free, curbside collection for FOG). The campaign also included digital impression broadcasts on Wi-Fi enabled devices to re-enforce the message a few weeks after the ads were played. Data from the movie theater follow-up showed impressive results with viewing rates well above the national average, considering they were public education ads. Since the ads have played, there has been a noticeable reduction in the number of service calls regarding clogged sewer collection lines and Placer County plans to re-air the ads again to reinforce the message.