Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) can be a major problem for our City’s sewers. When poured down the drain, FOG hardens inside sewer pipes, constricting wastewater flow and clogging the pipes. This can lead to sewer overflows onto City streets, which is a very expensive problem. Restaurants and other food service establishments are a significant source of FOG, and our FOG Control Ordinance (Chapter 11.1-04) aims to prevent these pollutants from entering the sewer system. We require food service establishments that cook food, and therefore have grease in their wastewater discharges, to install grease capturing equipment (i.e., traps or interceptors). The FOG Control Ordinance provides clear guidelines on exactly what type of grease capturing equipment restaurants must be installed, and it includes standards to ensure that the equipment is well maintained and serviced.

Forms

Grease Control Questionnaire

Grease Removal Device Maintenance Log

Links

Kitchen Best Management Practices (BMPs)

EPA - Controlling Fats, Oils, and Grease Discharges from Food Service Establishments (40 CFR 403)