Fats, Oils & Grease
How FOG Can Affect Your Sewer
Fats in wastewater are among the more stable of the organic compounds and are not easily decomposed by bacteria so these fats coat, congeal, and accumulate on pipes, pumps, equipment and sometimes obstruct lines.
Control FOG at the source…keep it from entering the sewer system.FOG refers to Fats, Oil, and Grease from food preparation and kitchen clean up. FOG is found in such things as:
- Meat fats
- Food scraps
- Lard / Shortening
- Baking goods
- Butter / Margarine / Cooking oil
- Sauces
- Dairy products
When poured down the drain, FOG can build up in pipes and equipment and cause significant problems in the sewer system and wastewater treatment plants. Problems such as sewer line blockages that cause sewer overflows are the result of improper disposal of FOG. Sewer overflows cause environmental health hazards and property damage and lead to increased operation and maintenance costs which show up as higher sewer bills for customers.
The department routinely performs maintenance on the collection system, lift stations, and treatment facility to remove grease, but maintenance is not enough to stop spills from taking place.
Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent this problem:
- Do not put dairy products, fats, oil, grease or greasy foods down the garbage disposal or drain.
- Freeze small amounts of fats, oils and grease in a lidded container and dispose of it in a trash receptacle.
- Mix small amounts of cooking oil with an absorbent material such as cat litter or coffee grounds, place it in a lidded container and dispose of it in a trash receptacle.
- Wipe additional grease from pots, pans and plates with a paper towel before placing them in the sink or dishwasher.
- For large quantities of cooking oil and other fats (1 gallon or more), call the Winchester's Landfill Coordinator, John Gomarlo, at 239.8136
To learn more about FOG, read state and federal rules and regulations or to find specific information about Winchester's water and wastewater departments use the links below: