Help stop FOG!

What is FOG?  

FOG is an acronym for fats, oils and grease from food preparation and food scraps (meat fats and juices, lard, cooking oil, shortening, butter, margarine, dressings, sauces and dairy products).  When washed down the drain, FOG sticks to the insides of sewer pipes.  FOG in wastewater is not easily decomposed by bacteria so these fats coat, congeal, and accumulate on pipes, pumps and equipment, and can result in blockages to sewer laterals and mains.  These blockages can lead to spills and overflows that could be harmful to your health, can result in damage to your home, pollute the local waterways and groundwater, and harm fish and wildlife habitat.  Excessive FOG is accumulating and causing problems at the wastewater treatment plant, resulting in an increase in operation and maintenance costs for the Municipal Authority.  

How should FOG be handled at home?

Many people think home garbage disposals keep grease out of the plumbing system—this is not true.  Many detergents claim to dissolve grease, but they simply pass it down the sewer line, causing problems elsewhere.  To dispose of FOG properly, follow these simple steps:

• Never pour any cooking oils or grease into your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, toilet or other drain lines.
• Use paper towels to dry wipe grease and food from pots, pans and plates.  Place contents into a garbage container before washing in the sink or dishwasher.
• Pour all unused cooking oils and grease into a container to cool and harden.  When the container is full, place the container in a bag to prevent leakage and put it in the trash.
• Use baskets and strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids and dispose of them in the trash.
• Do not use hot water and soap to wash grease down the drain because it will harden in your pipes and can cause a sewer overflow in your home, as well as problems at the treatment plant.
• Do not use the toilet as a trash can.  Dispose of cleaning and baby wipes, latex items, and personal hygiene products in the trash.

Maintenance Tips for Individual On-Lot Septic Systems

Out of sight, out of mind. That's what many people think after the toilet flushes or the sink drains. But that wastewater may be seen again if the household's septic system fails. A correctly designed and installed on-lot sewage disposal system can still malfunction if the homeowner does not properly operate and maintain it. There are some very simple measures to prevent malfunctions, ensure long-term use of on-lot systems, and protect our streams and groundwater from pollution as follows:
 

• Conserve water and reduce wastewater flow into the septic tank, especially during rainy, wet seasons when the ground is saturated.
• Have the septic tank pumped at least every 3 years, depending upon tank and household size.
• Avoid putting harsh chemicals in the septic system. Use non-toxic cleaning products such as baking soda to scrub toilets or boiling water to clear clogged drains.
• Keep a grease can handy and compost food garbage or put it in the trash. A garbage disposal adds 50% more solids to your system.
• Do not use the toilet to dispose of bulky, slow decomposing wastes.
• Inspect the septic tank, pipes, and drainage field annually.
• Maintain accurate records of the septic system, including design, installation, location, inspections, pumpings, malfunctions, and repairs.
• Prevent run-off from downspouts, sump pumps and paved surfaces from getting into the septic system.
• Keep heavy vehicles, equipment, and livestock away from the septic system.
• Do not plant trees and shrubs on or near the septic system.
• Don't wait—if your septic system shows signs of problems, act immediately. Regular septic tank pumping will prolong the life of your septic system. Keep in mind that a septic system usually costs less than $200 to pump, but several thousands to replace.