Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Program

FATS, OILS, & GREASE PROGRAM

Overview
FOG is an industry term for Fats, Oils, and Grease. It includes animal fats, vegetable fats, and oils used to cook and prepare food. FOG is a solid or viscous substance that can create an obstruction in the sewer system if not properly disposed of. FOG discharged by residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial users presents a significant problem for the town’s wastewater collection and treatment system.

When grease is washed down the drain, it sticks to the inside of sewer pipes (both on your property and in the streets.) Over time, it builds up and can block an entire pipe. FOG can cause serious damage to the sewage system, your property, and that of your neighbors, as well as damage to streets and waterways from sewage overflows. Also, cleanup can be very costly.

Garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the pipes – they only shred it into smaller pieces. Commercial additives, including detergents that claim to dissolve grease, may pass it down the line and cause problems away from the source.

Do This:

• Scrape all food and leftover grease into the trash, never the sink.
• Recycle large amounts of used cooking oil at the Iredell County Transfer Station.
• Wipe pots, pans, and dishes with dry paper towels before rinsing/washing them.
• Pour cooled FOG into a can with a tight lid (coffee can) and dispose of it in the garbage.
• Talk to friends and family about FOG in the sewer system and help them become proactive in preventing sewer blockages.

Do Not Do This:

• Do not pour FOG down the sink drain or toilet.
• Do not use hot water to wash grease down the drain. When the water cools, FOG will solidify and clog the pipes.
• Do not rely on additives or detergents to dissolve grease. They only disperse it down the line to recollect and cause more problems.
• Do not put grease or greasy food into the garbage disposal.
• Never pour grease or used oil into the storm drains or on the ground.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Troutman Town Hall – (704) 528-7600
Adam Lippard (ORC) – (704) 902-1451

FOG PROGRAM HISTORY
Wastewater Collection System Permit

The Town of Troutman was issued a Wastewater Collection System Permit [WQCS00258] by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality, dated May 21st 2013. This permit required the Town of Troutman to develop and maintain an educational and enforcement program.

Section I. (5) of the Collection Permit States

The Permittee shall maintain an educational and enforcement program that requires the proper operation and maintenance of all grease traps and septic tanks connected to the wastewater collection system. The educational program should target both residential and commercial users.

Creation of FOG

The Town of Troutman wishing to comply with all state and federal guidelines thus created a fats, oils, and grease (FOG) program for monitoring and controlling FOG discharge within our collection system. The overall goal of this program is to prevent the excessive introduction of FOG into the sanitary sewer system.

Excessive buildup of FOG at critical areas of the sanitary sewer lines increases the potential to create sewer blockages. A sanitary sewer blockage can result in a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO), which could reach the surface waters of North Carolina. Blockages may also cause wastewater to back up into homes, businesses, or streets and can result in extensive property or environmental damage. The Town of Troutman is required to track and report the cause and environmental impact of an SSO to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Our goal is to limit sewer blockages and prevent any sanitary sewer overflows.

The FOG program requires all FOG producing establishments discharging wastewater into the Town of Mooresville’s sanitary sewer system to install and maintain a grease trap or grease interceptor. All grease trap and grease interceptors shall be maintained for continuous, satisfactory and effective operation by the owner, leaseholder, or operator at his expense.

Program Purposes:

This program is designed to outline, implement and enforce FOG discharge rules and to have an educational program for both residential and commercial users. The intent of this program is to ensure compliance with the Town of Troutman’s Sewer Use Ordinance; ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, ensure compliance with Town of Troutman’s Wastewater Collection System Permit Number WQCS00258; and to protect the town’s infrastructure as it relates to the sanitary sewer collection and treatment system.