What is FOG?
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are found in food scraps, meat fats, lard, oil, margarine, butter, baked goods, sauces, and dairy products.
FOG enters the sanitary sewer system from individual residences, restaurants, food preparation, and processing facilities, schools, assisted livings, and other institutional facilities. Collectively, commercial FOG generators are commonly called food service facilities.
FOG washed down sinks and floor drains builds up over time and eventually creates clogs in building plumbing and the city’s mainline sanitary sewers. Sewer backups and clogs attract insects and vermin, create health hazards, and property damage. Sanitary sewer overflows caused by FOG are expressly prohibited by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the U.S. EPA.
The city’s FOG Management Program consists of public education for residential users of the city’s sanitary sewer district and education, registration, maintenance, and record-keeping for commercial users.