What is F.O.G.?
What can be done to help!
F.O.G. stands for Fats Oils and Greases.
Where does it come from?
It is generated in huge quantities from kitchens and food service
establishments. It is the by product of food preparation and
washing up activities.
Implementing management practices will reduce the risk of fats,
oils and grease getting into the sewer:
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Why is it a Problem?
The dumping of fats, oils and grease into the drainage system
results in blockages in private drains, sewers and sewage
pumping stations and can also create difficulties in the sewage
treatment process. Such blockages can result in: Raw sewage overflowing into your home creating a
health hazard and damaging your private property and
belongings.
 An expensive and unpleasant clean up of the flooded area
which often must be paid for by you, the homeowner.
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All food for disposal should be separated
Use a permitted waste collector to remove waste oils.
This should include waste oils from fryers and fats from
frying pans, ovens etc.
Control any spillages of oils and soak them up using dry
material such as cat litter, spill kits etc. Dispose of this to
the waste bin.
Keep staff informed and trained
Document and display your Best Management Practices
for everyone so see i.e. put up
“NO GREASE” signs to inform staff not to pour grease
down drains etc.
Grease Trap
Raw sewage overflowing into streets and other public
areas creating a public health hazard and an expensive
clean up for the Local Authority.
Raw sewage overflowing into streams creating an
environmental hazard. Where these streams outfall to
the sea at swimming areas, the presence of raw sewage
creates a public health hazard.
An increase in the cost to the local authority for the
operation and maintenance of the sewer network
1
through increased running and repair costs.
It is an offence under Section 16(1) of the Public Health Act 1890 for “any person to throw
or suffer to be thrown or pass into any sewer of a local authority or any drain
communicating with such a sewer, any matter or substance which interferes with the free
flow of the sewerage or surface or storm water or which injures such sewer or drain. In
other words it is against the law for anyone to throw or put anything into the drains or
All business should have a Grease Trap on the waste water outlet
to enable removal of fats, oils and grease. This works by slowing
down the flow of hot greasy water allowing it to cool and the
FOG to solidify. The FOG is trapped by “baffles” preventing it
from entering the sewer system. The grease must then be
physically removed from the unit. Grease traps can be located
inside the building on the drainage system or larger outside
systems can be used.
sewers belonging to the local authority, or any drain connecting to the public sewer (may be
in private property). That would block or damage the sewer so that sewerage or storm water
could not flow through it.
Section 16 of the Water Pollution Acts 1977 & 1990 requires all discharges of trade effluent
to the sewer to be licensed by the Sanitary Authority. The licence may contain conditions
relating to the quality of effluent permitted, charges for treatment etc.