Fats, Oils, & Grease (FOG) Elimination Program

Joseph Gangler, Environmental Manager

On May 20, 2010, the City of Valdosta approved a Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Elimination Program Ordinance to amend the code of the City of Valdosta, Georgia, concerning fats, oils, and grease prevention for food industry customers. The main purpose of the FOG Program is to prevent fats, oils and greases from clogging sewer lines, causing sewage spills or potential backflows of sewage into your business.

We need your help to prevent Fats, Oils, and Grease from causing blockages in the sewer system.

Sewer overflows can cause major health concerns, expensive cleanups, and environmental damage. Sewage can back up into your business or flow into area streets, parks, yards, lakes, and streams. When overflows happen the cleanups are usually expensive for businesses and increase operational costs for the sewer service providers.

What are the main culprits for these messes?

In most cases, they are fats, oils, and grease-all of which clog pipes. The main sources of these include food scraps, butter and margarine, dairy products, cooking oils, sauces and greasy leftovers.

How does this happen?

Fats, oils, and grease do not mix well with water and easily adhere to the walls of underground pipes when washed down the drain as liquids. As they cool, these substances solidify and adhere to the pipe's interior. If allowed, over time the grease builds up and causes blockages which in turn cause overflows and breaks in the pipes.

For Residential Customers

Never Pour Fats, Oil, or Grease Down the Drain

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) clog pipes at your house and in our system. That can cause raw sewage to back up into your home, your yard, your streets, and waterways.
Grease in your pipes leads to increased plumbing costs.
Money spent on costly cleanups of sewage spills leads to increased utility bills.

What You Can Do With Your Leftover Fats, Oil, and Grease

Discard leftover fat, oil, or grease into the trash.

If you put F.O.G into the trash:

Pour cooled grease into an empty can or plastic container before tossing it in the trash.
Scrape food scraps from dishes into the trash.
Collect leftover or expired oils (salad dressing, cooking oils, etc.) in containers; absorb liquids with coffee grounds, cat litter or paper towels; toss in the trash.
Use rubber scrapers and paper towels to remove oil and grease from cookware.
Avoid using a garbage disposal.
Put baskets or strainers into sinks to catch food scraps and then empty them in the trash.