Annual FOG Notice

sgwasa
Oct 29
2 min read

What is FOG? FOG is a shorthand way of saying Fats, Oils and Grease. FOG is composed of animal and vegetable fats and oils that are used to cook and prepare food. FOG should be recycled for use in other products, properly disposed of or land applied.

Why is FOG a Problem? FOG can also cause backups in your sewer lines that can send sewage into your home or restaurant. That is an open invitation for disease and illness. A wastewater system is similar to the human body. Wastewater flows through pipes (arteries), is pumped at pump stations (heart) and cleaned by the wastewater plant (kidneys).

FOG clogs the pipes in the sewer system just like cholesterol clogs arteries. This makes the pumps work harder and can cause them to fail, just like having a heart attack.

CAUTION: Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system. Products, such as detergents, that claim to dissolve grease may pass it down the line and cause problems elsewhere.

• Scrape excess grease into a sealed container and dispose of it in the trash or containers specifically designated for grease.

• Place food scraps in waste containers or garbage bags for disposal with solid wastes, or start a compost pile; promote the practice of scraping dishware prior to washing.

• Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of wastes.

• Promote the use of the 3 "R's" Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

DO NOT

• Discharge fats, oils, and grease in concentrations that can cause an obstruction to the flow in a sewer.

• Place FOG from cooking in the kitchen or bathroom sinks or in the toilet.

• Discharge butchering waste of any kind within the sewer system.

• Discharge wastewater with temperatures in excess of 140° to any grease trap.

• Discharge waste from a food waste disposal unit to any grease traps.

• Use the toilet as a wastebasket.

For more information, please call (919) 575-3111 Ext. 101 or email

Bsavage@sgwasa.org

Issued 10/29/25 by the South Granville Water and Sewer Authority