Fats. Oils, and Grease (FOG)

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An Important Notice Regarding Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

The City of Gloucester needs your help in keeping our waterways and streets clean. Fats, oils, and grease build up in our City’s sewer system and causes blockages as they coagulate; blockages can result in sanitary sewer overflows that pollute the environment and damage properties.

By following just a few simple clean-up measures while cooking, you can help eliminate unwanted grease. Your efforts will greatly help to reduce sewer maintenance and operation expenses as well as reduce the public health risks associated with sanitary overflows. Remember that every household plays an important role in preventing neighborhood sewer blockages.

Take the FOG Program Course

Take the Household Grease Survey

The Easiest Way To Prevent Grease-Related Sewage Back-Ups And Overflows Is To Keep Cooking Grease Out Of The Sewer System.

Frequently Asked Questions: Why are fats, oils, and grease a problem?
If you pour fats, oils, or grease down your drain, it may adhere to pipe walls. This can build up, restrict, or completely block your pipes, and cause rancid odors or messy and costly sewer backups in your home or overflows into your neighborhood. FACT: Fats, oils, and grease are the No. 1 cause of sewer backups in homes.

Where do fats, oils, and grease come from?
Restaurants, condominiums, apartment buildings, homes, schools, churches, food-processing plants, shopping malls, caterers, hospitals, retirement/assisted living facilities, and many more locations all produce fats, oils and grease. FACT: Fats, oils, and grease are derived from plant and animal sources and are a by-product of cooking.

FOG is found in the following - meat fats, lard, cooking oil, shortening, butter/margarine, food scraps, baking goods, and sauces and dairy products.

What Can I Do To Help Reduce Fats, Oils, And Grease From Entering The Sewer:

  • Never pour fats, oils, or grease down the sink, garbage disposal, or toilet.
  • Pour fats, oils, and grease (after it has cooled) into a container. Once the container is full, secure with a lid and place it in the trash.
  • Before washing, scrape and dry wipe pots, pans, and dishes with paper towels and dispose of materials in the trash.
  • Put baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other food solids and empty contents into the trash.
  • Minimize use of garbage disposals.

FACT: Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system. Moreover, hot water and products such as detergents that claim to dissolve grease only pass it down the line and cause problems elsewhere.

Fats, Oils, and Grease Permit Document List


Regulations for Fats, Oil, and Grease Program

The Regulations for the Fats, Oil, and Grease Program were accepted by City Council in 2012.

FOG Package Bundle

This package of documents includes the EPA Fact Sheet, FOG Program Overview, FOG Permit Application, Request for Permit Modification, FOG Program Took Kit, Licensed Grease Haulers List, and Useful Forms for FSE Managers.

EPA Fact Sheet  

A fact sheet produced by the EPA’s Office of Water which explains controlling fats, oils, and grease discharges from Food Service Establishments (FSEs).

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program Overview (PDF)

A brief overview of the FOG program including the program history, regulatory requirements and FOG permit requirements.

FOG Permit Application (PDF)

Application for submittal by Food Service Establishments (FSEs) to obtain a FOG permit. This form should also be filled out by FSEs that wish to update existing FSE information on file (contacts, management info, number of seats, etc).

Request for Permit Modification (PDF)

Form to request a modification to FOG permit requirements (grease trap cleaning frequency, capacity of interceptors, etc). All requests must be submitted to the FOG coordinator.

Fats, Oils, and Grease Control Program Tool Kit (PDF)

National Restaurant Association produced toolkit that includes information on Best Management Practices, elements of FOG control programs, tips on cleaning grease control devices, and more.

Licensed Grease Haulers List (PDF)

This is a list of waste companies in the Gloucester area who provide grease trap cleaning and maintenance services.

Useful Forms for FSE Managers: