FOG: Fats, Oils, & Greases

Fats, Oils and Greases ---  It's bad for your arteries and waistline, and it's bad for the Town of Arlington's sewers. We need you to help us keep our sewers fat free!

The Town of Arlington ‘s Wastewater Department is responsible for the FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease ) Program.  The purpose of this program is to prevent sanitary sewer system blockages, obstructions and overflows due to contribution and accumulation of fats, oils, and grease from food service establishments, commercial facilities and industrial facilities. As a result, many facilities are required to install grease traps or interceptors, or obtain industrial permits. 

However, our residents can also do their part to keep the sewers healthy. See below for information and tips on how to help.

Where Does the Grease Come From? 

Oil

disposal

Some of the Problems Grease Can Cause:

  • Raw sewage overflowing into your home

  • An expensive and unpleasant cleanup that often must be paid for by you, the homeowner

  • Raw sewage overflowing into parks, yards, and streets

  • An increase in operation and maintenance costs for the sewer department, which causes higher fees

What You Can Do to Help

The easiest way to solve the grease problem (and help prevent the overflow of raw sewage) is to keep this material out of the sewer in the first place.  Here are several ways you can do this:

  • Never pour grease down sinks, drains or into toilets.

  • Scrape grease and food scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans, utensils, grills, and cooking surfaces into a can or the trash for disposal.

  • Do not put grease down garbage disposals. Put baskets / strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and empty the drain baskets/strainers in the trash for disposal.

  • Talk to your friends and neighbors about the potential problems of grease in the sewer system and how to keep it out. You may also call the Public Works Department at (901) 867-4980 if you have any additional questions.