Keep Irving Beautiful…..we see and hear that phrase all around town.
The city has been diligently working on making our city appealing to our senses and to those that drive through. The City of Irving continues to relinquish funds in the areas where need is, well….needed. Unfortunately, sometimes funds have to be diverted to improve or repair sewage systems that have backed up from improper disposal of grease and oils. Whether the grease comes from a crunchy batch of fresh fried bacon to oil spilled from an uncared-for vehicle, it all costs the city and tax-payers money.
After cooking, there are several ways to dispose of grease and cooking oils. We all drink fluid from a plastic container i.e., milk, juice. Keep one handy under the sink or in a cabinet nearby for easy access. This will avoid you from having to spend money on harmful drain chemicals or a $60.00 (or more) plumber call to come and clean out your drains. Clogged up drains can also cause unwanted sewage backup into your home and possibly bringing hard-to-rid bacteria. Use a wet or Dry cloth or paper towel that you know you will dispose of in the trash after you wipe down all items with untensils, pots or pans used to make that delicious meal…
Vehicle maintenance can be costly but if left untreated it can get worse. Keeping the proper levels of motor oil will elongate the life of your vehicle. Most of the time we don’t even think twice when we pull up to a CVS or Walmart and see the parking spots all covered in oil, whether fresh or old. If we all just took a moment to meditate on the bit of oil on the ground and what it can do or where it goes……we would definitely keep our cars in good running condition and seal all the oil leaks. When it drizzles, have you noticed all the pretty rainbows on the street?…..well they are not from the sun shining down on the water, bending the rays of light and creating the light spectrum we know as the Rainbow. Have you also noticed that it’s more difficult to steer and regain control on those pretty rainbows??? Well all that is created by oil deposits from faulty engines, improper disposal of oil after an oil change. All that oil will eventually get to our water source and contaminate it. Local ponds which serve as feeding ground for ducks, swans, turtles, numerous types of fish will slowly become abandoned due to all the runoff water filled with oil deposits from those who don’t care. The local autoparts stores have oil containers where any type of oil used in vehicles can be dumped for FREE, that’s right at no cost to you. All you have to do is make the 5 to 10 minute trip to continue keeping those park ponds and lakes with fresh water that can be enjoyed by all Irving residents.
Do your part, clean your pots and pans, drain your oil in approved containers and dipose of them in the proper places……
In doing these simple tasks……………..We Will all help to Keep Irving Beautiful!!!
Written by Cristian Lopez
