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Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) and Sand Control Program
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) enter the sanitary sewer system through sinks, dishwashers, and any other equipment connected to the sanitary sewer plumbing. Over time these substances cool, harden, and accumulate. FOG build up along the walls of the pipes can lead to a sanitary sewer overflow inside your home, business, adjacent buildings, streets or the environment. These spills create a safety hazard that endanger public health and impact the health of our environment. Removal of FOG blockages in your home’s drain lines is expensive and messy. FOG in sewer lines increases maintenance of the City’s sewers, raising sewer rates for all customers.
- Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) means grease, oil, fat or other ether soluble matter derived from animal and/or plant sources that contain multiple carbon chain triglyceride molecules, and includes each of the following two types:
- Dispersed grease, which means grease which is not floatable grease;
- Floatable grease, which means grease which floats on the surface of quiescent sewage water or other liquid or which floats upon dilution of the liquid with water and includes any waste containing quantities or concentrations of dispersed biodegradable fats, oils and greases.
Common Kitchen FOG
-Cooking Oils (coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable oil…)
-Salad Dressings
-Sauces (gravy, ketchup, teriyaki...)
-Shortening (butter)
-Dairy Products
-Meat Grease
Residential Kitchen BMPs
- Cool cooking oil or grease in the pan and then transfer to a disposable container and place in the trash
- Scrape oil or grease from pots, pans and plates prior to washing
- Handwashing dishes? Cold water congeals FOG, making building in pipes and sewer laterals less likely
- Dispose of old cosmetics, lotions and other oily grease products in the trash
All food service establishment sites discharging wastewater to the sanitary sewer from sources other than standard domestic sanitary facilities (e.g., toilets, bathroom sinks), must obtain a FOG Waste Discharge Permit (FOGWDP). This applies to any facility conducting commercial cooking operations including dishwashing and equipment cleaning that generate grease-laden wastewater.
Limited Food Service Establishments--businesses that do not prepare food on-site--must follow Best Management Practices but are not required to obtain a FOGWDP.
- Grease Control Device Maintenance and Record Keeping
- Grease Control Device Maintenance and Record Keeping Log
- Grease Interceptor Maintenance
- Grease Trap Maintenance
- Proper Cleaning of exhaust hoods, filter, ducting, roof fans and floor mats
- Prohibitions on chemicals, enzymes or bacteria in grease traps and interceptors
FOG WDP Application
FOG WDP Application Instructions
“Running Hot Tap Water” - Temperatures dip causing the inevitable solidification of these substances
“Soaps and Detergents” - They may initially break up grease while washing, but lose potency as they dilute in your pipe
“Garbage Disposals” - They shred leftover fats into smaller pieces, but do not get rid of the fats that create grease