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FOG - Fats, Oils, and Grease
Pasco County FOG Program Mission Statement
The FOG Program mission is to educate the public and the Food Service Establishments (FSE) that produce the byproducts know as Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOG) on the proper capacity, management, and operations and maintenance of the wastewater collection system.
For more information, please call 727-847-2411 ext. 2049
Protecting Our Sewer Systems from FOG
- What is FOG?
- What Should I Know About FOG?
- How Can I Minimize FOG At Home?
- Residential Cooking Oil Recycling Locations
- Other Ways to Protect Sewer & Septic Systems
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) are byproducts of food preparation, meat cutting, and cooking. FOG can be found in meat fats, oils, shortening, butter, margarine, sauces, and dairy products.
When FOG is left on preparation utensils and poured down drains or garbage disposals, it can build up in our collection systems, which can result in backups into sinks, toilets and drains - both in your own, or somebody else’s home. These backups pose serious public health and environmental problems – and they can be very costly too.
The first pipes that will become blocked with FOG will be your own pipes, and that could result in expensive plumbing bills. Keeping FOG out of your drains and the sewer system is good for your home’s plumbing. Sewer overflows can also damage the environment and affect the health of our waterways.
Never allow cooking oils, grease and other food solids to get down the drain.
Scrape pots and dishes before washing them.
Use sink strainers and clean them often.
Pour cooled oils and fats into a container and bring them to a cooking oil recycling location.
We have 4 self service drop off locations for residents to properly get rid of collected cooking oils and fats:
| West Pasco Resource Recovery Facility | 14606 Hays Road, Spring Hill |
| East Pasco Transfer Station | 9526 Handcart Road, Dade City |
| Pasco County Facilities | 7220 Osteen Road, New Port Richey |
| Zephyrhills Maintenance Yard | 39421 South Ave, Zephyrhills |
Wipes Clog Pipes!
Pasco County Sanitary Sewer Collection System is a network of sewer lines, manholes, pumping stations and other structures used to collect wastewater and transport it to a treatment plant. With aging infrastructure, Pasco County is battling the problem of “ragging” — when baby wipes, diapers, dental floss, paper towels and other items not designed for flushing entangle sewer pumps.
Companies have been marketing these products as “flushable” over the last few years, but wastewater professionals are finding out these products are not safe for sewage systems. Flushable wipes are supposed to be biodegradable and break up like toilet paper, but they do not. They can cling to the interior walls of pipeline and/or get hung up on snags inside the pipes. They accumulate in pump stations and can clog and pumps. De-ragging pumps and unclogging pipes is labor intensive and increases the cost of maintaining your sewer system.
Examples of products that you should not flush include:
- Paper Towels
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Hygienic Wipes
- Sanitary Napkins/Tampons
- Condoms
Do not flush any items that are not designed to disintegrate like toilet paper when flushed.
FOG for Business
The Pasco County FOG Program is required to identify and verify all businesses in Pasco County that have the potential to potential to impact the wastewater collection system. The FOG Program is required to inspect businesses annually by performing unannounced on-site visits to evaluate waste management practices. The on-site visits include an evaluation of the proper capacity, management, and operations and maintenance of interceptors/pretreatment devices that impact the wastewater collection system.
What is a grease trap/grease interceptor?
A grease interceptor is a plumbing device designed to physically separate grease and solids from kitchen wastewater.
What is the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor?
The two terms are often used interchangeably but grease trap usually refers to an inside under sink or in floor unit made from steel or plastic. Grease interceptor usually means an outside tank in the ground usually made of concrete. Grease interceptor is the technically correct term for both types.
What size grease interceptor will I need?
We recommend contacting a licensed commercial plumber for assistance. The size of the unit will be determined according to Florida Building Code section 10.
- Florida Building Code: 2017 Florida Building Code - Plumbing
- Plumbing and Drainage Institute - Sizing Grease Interceptors: Basic Principles for Sizing Grease Interceptors
- Plumbing Drainage Institute GT Sizing Form (PDF)
- Sizing Worksheet (PDF)
How often must my grease interceptor be cleaned?
Interior type interceptors must be completely emptied and cleaned every 7 days or 30 days depending on size and type. In ground interceptors must be cleaned as often as necessary but not less than every 90 days. All types of interceptors must be cleaned whenever they contain 20% or more Fats, Oils, Grease and solids by volume.
Why do I need one for my restaurant or clubhouse, we only make coffee and sandwiches?
Many people use milk or cream in their coffee, dairy contains fats. Coffee contains lipids which are fats. Sandwiches have condiments such as mayo and mustard and toppings such bacon and lettuce. Grease interceptors are designed to “trap” all types of oils and food sediments
Pasco County Code of Ordinances - DIVISION 3 FOOD SERVICE FACILITY FATS, OIL AND GREASE MANAGEMENT
Call 727-847-2411 ext. 2049