What is FOG?

FOG stands for "Fats, Oils and Grease" and is found in your kitchen or garage. Most FOG comes from the grease and oils we use when cooking at home or at restaurants. But FOG can also come from oils and lubricants machines discharged into floor drains.

Many of the foods we eat contain FOG; meats, sauces, salad dressings, deep-fried dishes, cookies, pastries, butter and many others. Food scraps that we wash down the drain contribute to the fats, oils and grease in the City's sewer lines.

Grease build up in the sewer system can block sewer pipes, interfere with the normal operation of the City's wastewater treatment system and cause sewer spills.

Is FOG a problem? Yes.

When fats, oils and grease are put into the City sewer lines in any amount they can seriously affect the sewer system's ability to remove waste from our community. FOG can be deposited directly on pipe walls, thus decreasing pipe capacity and, therefore, requiring an increased frequency of cleaning, maintenance, and replacement.

FOG, especially grease (fats that are solid and stable at room temperature) dissolved in a warm and/or soapy liquid may not appear harmful. But when released into the sewer system that liquid cools down significantly. The grease/fats can harden and adhere on the pipe surface. Overtime, FOG can cause big problems.