DALLAS — There's something lurking in Dallas city sewers, and it's everyone's problem.

Grease has been the culprit in sewer overflows across the Dallas area. Some 140 backups in 2006 cost the city around $140,000.

The problem has led the city council to tighten its grease disposal laws, especially for restaurants.

Whether a resident is living in an apartment or a house, the city of Dallas is getting aggressive with residents when it comes to grease.

Inspectors from the Environmental and Health Services recently reinspected the Happy Year Restaurant in northwest Dallas. The problem was discovered in February outside in the back, which was where inspectors ifound the restaurant's underground grease trap overflowing and raw sewage and grease flowing towards an open drainage ditch.

Inspectors also feared the contaminated water could be tracked back inside the restaurant by employees. Inspectors issued a citation and closed the restaurant until it made repairs.

It's all part of a Dallas battle against "FOG," which is fats, oils and grease that pour into sanitary sewer lines.

Since the city regulates restaurants, it's increasing enforcement on grease traps that are large, underground holding tanks for wastewater. The kitchen grease rises to the top, so only water flows into the sewer.

Dallas Water Utilities, who maintains the sewers, checks the traps.

Restaurants must now pump out the traps every 90 days and keep the records on site.

“If you don't properly maintain this interceptor the way that we have designated then problems occur and a lot of the solids or the grease can escape into the sewer system,” said LaMar booker, one of the trap inspectors.

Dallas Water Utilities

Grease is blamed for sewer clogs.

Just as fats, oils and grease clog human arteries, they do the same to sewer lines. When the buildup becomes too thick, there becomes a blockage. And just like an artery, that leads to something bad, including sewer backsup that run into the streets or buildings.

A clean out crew must run a hose with a high-pressure nozzle through the line to break up and flush the grease.

About 60 percent of all sanitary sewer backups not related to weather are caused by grease.

So, the city toughened the ordinance and cracked down on commercial violators.

“The city come out, they give me ticket [and] they close my restaurant,” said Robert Kin, the owner of the Happy Year restaurant.

The problem is why city inspectors moved quickly against the overflow at the Happy Year restaurant and returned to see if the repairs were made.

Kim said his grease trap spilled because a sewer line failed, which the property owner replaced. However, the city said that doesn't matter.

“He's responsible for the grease trap," said Phillip Fruechting, an inspector with Dallas Environmental and Health Services. "Even though the pipe may have been broken down here, he could've seen that it was bubbling up and he should have contacted the appropriate person in charge to come and repair that.”

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Dispose of grease at home using a coffee can or a special bag from the water company.

The city wants people at home to help out, too, since homes put more grease in sewers than restaurants.

Instead of grease or oil down the drain, homeowners should pour it in a grease bag provided by the Dallas Water Utilities and then throw it into the trash. People can also just pour the grease directly into a can or some other receptacle and throw it away. One should also wipe the pan and then toss out the paper towels.

Doing this, the city says, can save home pipes, the city's pipes and help the environment.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com