Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)

The City's goal is to reduce costs to businesses and homeowners while complying with environmental regulations. While hot water may cause grease to “melt” in your sink, it quickly re-forms into a solid blockage in your service lateral, preventing flow and causing backups. When grease gets into the sanitary sewer, it sticks to the inside of pipes and can eventually block the entire pipe. These restrictions can amount to unwanted back-ups of untreated sewage into our homes. These back–ups result in increased costs for residents, businesses, and the City for clean up. Grease should be poured into containers that can be thrown away in the trash. Grease creates significant operational and maintenance expense for the City, which can result in utility rate increases. Back-ups and overflows cause health hazards because of potential contact with disease-causing organisms. Grease related back-ups can result in property damage and expensive and unpleasant cleanups.

The Wastewater Reclamation division conduct routine maintenance of the sewer lines that stretch across its service area. However, we need your help to reduce the risk of fats, oils and grease from causing backups in the lines.

Wipe

Remove grease from pots, pans and dishes with a scraper or paper towel and discard it in the trash.

Pour

Discard cooking oil or grease in a secure container. Use a metal can to collect the grease, such as a coffee can, vegetable, or soup can.

Trash

Put all cooled, discarded cooking oil or grease in the trash.

Examples of fats, oils and grease:

• Cooking oil
• Butter
• Salad dressing
• Gravy
• Mayonnaise
• Sauces
• Shortening