Published: Jan 30, 2014 | 09:00 AM

Know Your FOG – Fats, Oils and Grease

FOG refers to fats, oils, and grease, which are commonly found in such things as meat fats, lard, cooking oil, shortening, butter and margarine, food scraps, baked goods, sauces and soups and dairy products.

When FOG is poured down the drain, it solidifies and sticks to the insides of sewer pipes (both on your property and in the collections system) causing obstructions and eventual blockages.  Once these blockages are formed they can cause sewer overflows in which raw sewage enters the streets, storm drains, streams, businesses, yards, and even homes.  Such spills pose a risk to public health, adversely affect aquatic life, and are costly to clean up.

Businesses and food establishments that discharge FOG into the IRWD sewer system must comply with the new FOG program. This is a comprehensive program mandated by the State of California. Businesses will be issued a permit that identifies the general program requirements and any special conditions that have been indentified for each facility.

For more information about FOG, please visit the IRWD website. If you have questions about FOG, you can call 949-453-5852 or email us at FOG@irwd.com.