All About Fats, Oils, and Greases

1. What is F.O.G?

Fats, oils and greases (FOG) have been defined under the Kent County Sanitary Code under the term "grease" and are defined as a material either liquid or solid, composed primarily of fat, oil and grease from animal or vegetable sources. 

2. What is the difference between Fats and Oils?

Fats are mixtures of various triglycerides with a small percentage of monoglycerides and diglycerides.  Oil is often defined as triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature.  Grease is a general classification for fats, oils, waxes and soaps that have a negative effect on wastewater treatment systems. 

3. What are examples of FOG?

Kitchen cooking grease, vegetable oil, bacon grease, etc.

4. Where does FOG come from?

FOG is generated by everyone who prepares and cooks food.  Some of the industries who generate FOG include meat processors, food packagers, restaurants, food preparation businesses, cafeterias in schools, churches, prisons and hospitals, and residential homeowners. 

5. How does FOG cause a problem?

Whenever food is cooked in oils there is a need to get rid of the cooking oils and greases.  The most common place to get rid of these wastes is by pouring them down the drain.  This method of disposal creates significant problems. Large amounts of oil and grease in the wastewater cause trouble in the collection system pipes. It decreases pipe capacity and, therefore, requires that piping systems be cleaned more often and/or some piping to be replaced sooner than otherwise expected. Oil and grease also hamper effective treatment at the wastewater treatment plant.

Grease in a warm liquid may not appear harmful. But, as the liquid cools, the grease or fat congeals and causes nauseous mats on the surface of settling tanks, digesters, in the wet wells of pumping stations, and the interior of pipes and other surfaces which may cause a shutdown of wastewater treatment units.

6. What happens if FOG from my establishment causes a problem?

Any person violating any of the provisions of a city ordinance or who has a discharge which causes a deposit, obstruction, damage, or any other impairment to the City’s facilities shall become liable to the City for all expense, loss, or damage occasioned the City by reason of such violation or discharge.

Any person found to be violating any provision of a city ordinance shall be served by the City Manager with written notice stating the nature of the violation. Within thirty (30) days after the date of the notice, unless a shorter time is necessary due to the nature of the violation, a plan for the satisfactory correction thereof shall be submitted to the City Manager. If the violation is not corrected by timely compliance, or a satisfactory correction plan submitted within the specified time, the City Manager may order any person to show cause before the City Manager why enforcement action should not be taken. A written notice shall be served on the person specifying the time and place of a hearing, the reason why the action is to be taken, and the proposed enforcement action. The City Manager may propose any enforcement action reasonably necessary to abate the violation. Based upon the evidence presented at the hearing, the City Manager shall determine the appropriate enforcement action which should be taken, if any.