What is FOG?

Fats, oils, and greases (FOG) aren't just bad for your arteries and your waistline; they're bad for sewers, too. FOG refers specifically to fats, oils and grease entering the sewer system when poured down drains in homes, apartments, restaurants, industries, and public facilities.

Fats don’t dissolve in water. Washing fats down the drain with hot water may seem effective, but as the water cools, the fats and grease harden in sewer pipes. Detergents dissolve fat enough to clean your dishes or laundry, but not enough to keep it from congealing in the sewer.

Where Does the Grease Come From? 

• Meat fats
• Shortening
• Baking goods
• Lard
• Butter and margarine
• Sauces
• Cooking oil
• Food scraps
• Dairy product

Too often, grease is washed into the plumbing system, usually through the kitchen sink. Grease
sticks to the insides of pipes (both on your property and in the streets). Over time, the grease can build up and block the entire pipe.

Their Results Can Be: 

• Raw sewage overflowing in your home or your neighbor's home;
• An expensive and unpleasant cleanup that must be paid for by you, the homeowner;
• Raw sewage overflowing into parks, yards, and streets;
• Potential contact with disease-causing organisms.

What Can You Do To Help?

The easiest way to solve the grease problem is to keep grease out of the sewer system. There are several ways to do this.