FOG (Fats Oils and Grease)

FOG BANNER

FOG (FATS OILS AND GREASE)

 

FOG.....What is it?

 

FOG refers to fats, oils and grease, which are the natural by-products of food preparation and cooking or baking.

While they may add extra flavor to your food, if they are poured down the drain, they can leave a real mess in the sewer collection system by forming clogs and blockages that lead to overflows.

 

What is a collection system?

 

The collection system is a network of pipes and pump stations that moves wastewater from homes and businesses to the City’s wastewater treatment plant. From your sink or toilet, waste moves through your plumbing to a Sewer Lateral Line that runs from your house to the Sewer Lines in the City. Once in the Sewer lines it might have to go through Lift Stations or Pumps to make its way to the Treatment Plant.

 

How does Fog Clog a Pipe

 

FOG seems harmless when it is a warm liquid because it goes down the drain so easily. But once it cools off, it sticks to sewer pipes and builds up over time. Plus, whatever you put down the drain or garbage disposal, such as coffee grounds or eggshells, or toss in the toilet (besides toilet paper) – hair, dental floss, cigarette butts, candy wrappers, toys, kitty litter, ANYTHING – gets tangled up in that FOG. This blocks the flow of wastewater through the pipe forcing it back up the drain resulting in flooding of a home, a street, or a stream with wastewater.

 

Does it really make a difference if I pour just a little grease down the drain?

 

Yes! If every person in Omak poured just one tablespoon of FOG down the drain, it would be the equivalent of dumping over 19 Gallons of FOG into the sewer. Every little bit adds up to create big clogs that cause spills and overflows. In fact, in the past three years, 90% of FOG-related overflows happened on residential lines.

 

Doesn't using detergent or the garbage disposal take care of FOG?

 

FOG does not mix with water, and detergents used to “wash it down the drain” typically separate from the FOG after a period of time, which means that it ends up clinging to the pipes, restricting the flow of wastewater. The garbage disposal just chops up the bits of food you put into it, basically moving the problem downstream. The bottom line is that using soap or the disposal is not the solution to reducing FOG.

 

If I don't have an overflow does FOG really affect me?

 

Yes! If you are connected to Omak's collection system, then you have a vested interest in the reliability and life span of the system and treatment plant. Even if you never experience a FOG-related overflow, the rates you pay on your monthly Utility bill fund the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the system. Plus, if there is a spill that gets into a waterway, the City could be fined and have to pay other clean up costs as well. There is also the potential for ecological damage to the City and County’s waterways that contribute to the quality of life for all residents.

 

 

Sticks of Butter

 

How do I know what foods are a source of FOG?

 

Some common culprits are food scraps, meat trimmings, poultry skin, the “skim” from soups and gravies, cooking oils, lard and shortening, salad dressings, sauces and marinades, dairy products (including ice cream), and butter or margarine. Also, if you use your garbage disposal to dump coffee grounds, eggshells, or other items down the drain this will accelerate FOG-related clogs since it provides extra surfaces for everything to stick to.

FOG can come from a variety of sources, many of which we forget contain FOG. Examples include:

  • Baked Goods
  • Fried or Sauteed Foods
  • Peanut Butter
  • Batter
  • Lard
  • Buttered Popcorn
  • Butter & Margarine
  • Mayonnaise & Salad Dressings
  • Cook in Oil Meats (Including Trimmings & Skins)Sauces & Gravy
  • Dairy Products
  • Pastries
  • Shortening
Pan with Oil in it.

 

I am not on City Water or Sewer. Do I need to be concerned about FOG?

 

Yes. FOG is a concern to you, because it may cause clogging of the lateral line that goes to your septic tank or other on-site treatment system. Avoiding disposal of FOG down your drain is a good practice regardless of the system you are on.

Picture of pouring oil from a pan into a can

 

What can I do to help clear up FOG?

 

Being a part of the solution is as easy as following some standard practices around the kitchen, such as:

DON’T…

  • Wash food scraps (solid or liquid) down the drain, dump them in the toilet, or grind them up in the garbage disposal.
  • Wash contents of soaking pots and pans down the drain.
  • Use water to “pre-wash” plates.
  • Pour used oil down the drain.
  • Pour hot grease (including poultry skimming) down the drain.
  • Pour grease down the storm drain.

DO…

  • Use mesh drain strainers to catch solid food scraps for disposal in a trash can.
  • Pour liquid food scraps, e.g. sauces, milkshakes, into a container and place in the trash can.
  • Scrape plates over the trash can or dry wipe with a paper towel.
  • Pour used oil into a container with a top (the original if available) so it can be reused, recycled, or placed in the trash can for disposal.
  • Pour cooled grease into a grease can or other container for disposal and/or absorb with paper towels or newspaper.
  • Pour cooled grease into a container, seal it and place it in the trash.

Other ways to be a part of the FOG solution include reporting any illegal dumping or spills immediately. You can also help by educating your neighbors and others in your community. IF you see someone pouring their FOG down the drain, let them know the harm it can cause or just send them here to learn more!

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