The Miskin interceptor removes FOG at source
99% of fat and grease will be removed with our interceptor.
Fats, Oils and Grease
Fats, oils and grease are an unhealthy and expensive problem in our city sewers. Do your part to comply with the law and keep our sewers flowing. This page contains important information for:
- Restaurant owners
- Bar owners
- Hospitals
- School cafeterias
- Other food preparation establishments
Why are Fats, Oils and Grease a problem in our sewers?
- When Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) are disposed of improperly they can cause sewer backups. Backups expose the city to costly environmental penalties, and cause health hazards on your property.
- FOG washed down sinks and floor drains builds up over time and eventually creates clogs.
- FOG leads to increased costs for maintaining sewers and wastewater treatment plants and cleaning grease clogs out of private and public property.
- Fats, Oils and Grease are found in food scraps, meat fats, lard, oil, margarine, butter, baking goods, sauces, and dairy products.
- FOG from food preparation establishments is a major source of these wastes in city sewers.
Why should FOG matter to you?
- Sewer backups and clogs attract insects and vermin and create health hazards.
- Sewer backups can result in property damage and health code violations.
- Clogged sewers can cause sewer overflows, which release untreated sewage into our neighborhoods, rivers and streams.
- FOG is a valuable resource. When recycled rather than dumped down the drain, FOG can be sold to rendering companies for use in soaps, fertilizers, and animal feeds.
Improper FOG disposal is costly at a time when we can least afford it .
- Increased sewer backups and overflows lead to extra maintenance and repairs by the city.
- Increased costs for the city means increased costs for ratepayers.
No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to any city sewer wastewater or pollutants that cause, threaten to cause or are capable of causing… obstruction to the flow in city sewers.No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged to any city sewer… solid or viscous substances and/or other pollutants that may cause obstruction to the flow in a sewer … such as, but not limited to, grease.
Restaurants and other establishments are required to install a grease interceptor (commonly known as grease traps) in the waste line leading from plumbing fixtures or equipment where grease may be introduced to the sewer system. Grease interceptors must be properly sized, installed and maintained. In reality, many are not maintained on a regular basis.