Protect Your Pipes from FOG

Businesses and residential customers should properly dispose of fats, oils and grease (FOG) to protect sewer pipes and ensure reliable delivery of wastewater to water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs).

When poured down the drain, FOG can stick to the inside of sewer pipes and harden over time. As the buildup increases, it can restrict or completely block the flow of wastewater, resulting in sewer overflows, environmental impacts and backups into homes and businesses.

Things to Know:

  • Garbage disposals do not prevent FOG from entering the sewer system. They may break up food waste, but fats, oils, and grease can still enter the pipes and accumulate.
  • Hot water and detergents do not eliminate FOG. They may temporarily move grease farther down the line, where it can cool, harden, and contribute to blockages.
  • FOG-related blockages are costly. Cleaning and repairing sewer lines can be expensive for property owners and ratepayers.
  • Proper disposal helps prevent problems. Collect fats, oils, and grease in a container and dispose of them properly rather than pouring them down the drain.
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Turkey FOG Post

Examples of foods that create FOG and ultimately cause damage:

Animal Products: Animal fat, bacon, sausage, spareribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, organ meats (liver, kidney, etc.), lard, animal fat, etc.

Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, butter, cream cheese, sour cream, ricotta or cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream, infant formula, etc.

Oils: Olive, canola, palm, peanut, and vegetable, plus cocoa butter, dressings, margarine, shortening, mayo, etc.

Desserts: Cake, icing, brownies, doughnuts, pies, whipped cream, etc.

Soups & Sauces: Chicken or vegetable broth, gravies, pasta sauce, etc.

Sewer Use Regulation

Restaurants are required to have a grease interceptor to catch potential FOG buildup and protect our area’s publicly owned treatment works (POTW) from harmful pollutants and sewage overflows.

If an improperly maintained grease interceptor contributes to an overflow, the restaurant/property owner may incur all costs involved, including fines.

Find more details about FOG compliance in our Sewer Use Regulation.