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FOG (fats, oils and grease) can be a major problem for San Francisco’s sewers and for the Bay and Ocean that surround San Francisco. When not disposed of properly, FOG forms thick layers inside sewers and constricts flow -- similar to the way cholesterol affects blood flow in your arteries. Clogged sewers can result in backups of customer’s pipes that connect to the City’s sewer system – this can lead to down time, costly clean up and repair, as well as public health concerns. Grease blockages can also cause back ups in the City sewer system itself and can lead to sewer overflows onto City streets or into the Bay and Ocean. Local wastewater discharge regulations limit the amount of fats, oils and grease that can be legally discharged into the City sewers (300 mg/L). FOG also attracts flies and vermin and causes odor problems, which creates environmental and public health concerns.
Restaurants, and other food handling businesses, are a significant source of FOG because of the amount of grease used in cooking and other food preparation work. Residents can also contribute to the problem if they do not properly manage and dispose of the fats, oils and grease they generate. The SFPUC Water Pollution Prevention Program has materials that can assist businesses in properly managing their fats, oils and grease wastes.
PROPOSED FATS, OIL, GREASE (FOG) CONTROL ORDINANCE:
NEW Grease Removal Devices for Restaurants
For several years, the SFPUC has been working —with input from Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA)— to develop a plan to prevent the fats, oils and grease (FOG) from restaurants and other food service establishments (FSes) from entering the sewer system. The Proposed FOG Control Ordinance is being developed to resolve/improve the problem.
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