FOG refers to fats, oil, and grease, which are the natural by-products of food preparation and cooking or baking. When poured down the drain, they can form clogs and blockages that lead to sewer overflows. Did you know FOG can also clog the sewer pipes under the streets that take the wastewater from your house to the treatment plant? If that happens, the wastewater can back up and come to the surface and pollute the environment. This can allow untreated sewage to run into the streets and into our storm drains. This is not only a human health hazard but, since storm drains flow to creeks and rivers, this can cause significant environmental damage and impact aquatic life forms. You can avoid unnecessary expense and damage to the sewer system by following a few simple rules.

The collection system is a network of pipes and pump stations that moves wastewater from homes and businesses to one of the County’s water reclamation facilities (WRF).

Wastewater comes from everyday activities we all do, such as washing dishes, taking a shower, running the washing machine, and of course, flushing the toilet. Anything that goes down a drain enters the collection system.

As a warm liquid, FOG goes down the drain easily. But once it cools, it sticks to sewer pipes and builds up over time.

Anything put down the drain, or garbage disposal, or flushed in the toilet (besides toilet paper) combined with FOG, can block 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.

FOG does not mix with water. Detergents separate from the FOG after a period of time, and cling to the pipes, restricting the flow of wastewater.

Yes! If you are connected to the collection system, you have a vested interest in the reliability and life span of the system and treatment plants. Even if you never experience a FOG-related overflow, a portion of your monthly water bill payment funds the maintenance, repair, and replacement of the system.

In addition, the potential for ecological damage to the County’s waterways that contribute to the quality of life for all residents.

In the sewage collection and treatment business, the answer is YES!

FOG is singled out for special attention because of its poor solubility in water and its tendency to separate from the water and adhere to other surfaces. Fats, oils and grease in the sanitary sewer coats the insides of the pipe, causing maintenance problems. The consequences include reduced sewer capacity and pipe blockages leading to sanitary sewer overflows. Oil and grease also hamper effective treatment at the wastewater treatment plant. Grease in a warm liquid may not appear harmful. But, as the liquid cools, the grease or fat congeals and causes mats to form on the surface of settling tanks, digesters, and the interior of pipes and other surfaces which may cause a shutdown of wastewater treatment processes. Problems caused by wastes from restaurants and other grease-producing establishments have served as the basis for the Grease Management Program and other regulations on the discharge of grease materials to the sanitary sewer system. Typically a grease trap or grease interceptor is required to control FOG discharges.

Once it has cooled, place used oil or grease into a container with a top. Dispose of the container in the garbage.

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, butter and margarine. See table below.

FATS	OIL	GREASE
Fats typically come from meat and dairy sources but can also come from plant sources, such as nut butters. It is usually in solid form at room temperature and can be thrown directly into the trash.  Placing these foods in the garbage disposal only reduces the size of the food, not the likelihood of creating a clog.  If you are not sure whether something contains fat, check the nutrition label.	Oil comes from plant sources such as vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil, corn oil, etc. It may be used as a topping on food, such as salads or sandwiches, or used to cook food, such as deep frying. It remains liquid at room temperature. Used oil should be poured into a can or jar before disposal.  If it is poured down the drain, oil can coat pipes and get into nooks and crannies, creating a slick surface that fats and grease stick to easily.	Grease occurs when fats from food melt under heat such as frying, boiling and baking, etc. Grease is deceptive because it is a liquid after cooking, but eventually cools into a solid. Sometime after pouring it down the drain it will cool on the pipes in the collection system, then harden, and start a clog.
Unclogging Strategy: Place fats directly in the trash or another container before placing in the trash can for proper disposal.	Unclogging Strategy: Pour used oil into a jar or can with a lid before placing in the trash can. Hot water and soap do not eliminate oil; it will eventually reform in pipes.	Unclogging Strategy: Pour liquid grease into a grease can or other container with a lid and place in the trash once it has cooled. Running hot water over greasy cookware in the sink only pushes it into the pipes where it hardens.
SOURCES: MEAT TRIMMINGS POULTRY SKIN  CHEESES  ICE CREAM  PEANUT BUTTER  BUTTER	SOURCES: SALAD DRESSING  COOKING OIL  VEGETABLE OIL  CANOLA OIL  OLIVE OIL  CORN OIL	SOURCES: COOKED/MELTED FAT FROM MEAT  BACON/SAUSAGE  SKIN FROM BOILED POULTRY  GRAVY  MAYONNAISE/  SALAD DRESSING

Following these basic practices in the kitchen:

Cobb County's Grease Management Program coordinates FOG education and enforcement activities. They are located in the Office of Environmental Compliance and can be contacted at fog@cobbcounty.org.