Fat, oil, and grease are regularly washed down the kitchen sink, but they can solidify, clog pipes, and pollute the environment.
Inside the sewers, fats and oils gather. They harden into a concrete-like substance over time, obstructing the flow of wastewater through the pipes. Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits account for about half of all sewage clogs in the United States.
Wastewater can back up into homes and businesses through toilets and sinks or escape through utility holes onto streets and waterways due to these blockages.
Impact of Disposing FOG on the Sewer System
Food scraps, shortening, butter cooking oil, lard, margarine, gravy, and food products like salad dressings, mayonnaise, and sour cream contain fats, oils, and grease (FOG).
When sewer pipes become entirely or partially blocked to where sewage flow is significantly restricted, sewage may overflow into streets and properties. Waste processing will be halted, significant effects on the public and companies, and sewer operation and maintenance expenses will rise.
According to the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, central and small governments in the United States spend at least $1 billion yearly on clog removal maintenance.
FOG deposits on sewer pipe walls cause problems by limiting the conduit’s capacity.
They also serve as a ‘catch’ point for additional materials attaching to FOG deposits and speed up the build-up process. Sections of the deposit can break off and float down the sewer as the build-up grows. These floating parts will build up at pinch points in the sewer system, potentially clogging it.
FOG deposits cause increased corrosion rates in piping, expanding the requirement for cleaning and maintenance. These dramatically increase the volume of solid waste that reaches wastewater treatment plants and the blocking issues.
FOG can solidify and collect on the surface of digesters, settling tanks, pipes, and pumps within a wastewater treatment facility.
It may cause a decrease in the quality of the treatment process’ output. It can significantly affect performance and cause the wastewater treatment plant to shut down.
FOG that has been thrown down kitchen drains has built up within sewer lines. As the FOG builds up in the pipe, it limits the flow. Causing untreated wastewater to back up into homes and businesses, resulting in costly cleanup and restoration expenditures.
When utility holes overflow into parks, roadways, yards, and storm drain, FOG can contaminate local waters, especially drinking water. Untreated wastewater poses a health risk to the public.
FOG dumped into septic systems and drain fields can cause problems, requiring more tank pump-outs and other costs.
Restaurants, cafeterias, and fast-food outlets spend tens of thousands of dollars each year dealing with grease blockages and pumping out grease traps due to plumbing difficulties.
Some governments also tax businesses for repair and spill cleaning for sewer line repairs if the blockage can be traced back to a specific company. Several cities tack on a premium to their wastewater bills if a business exceeds a discharge limit. These costs might add up quickly.
Communities spend billions of dollars to unblock or replace grease-clogged pipelines, repair pump stations, and clean up costly and unlawful wastewater discharges. FOG build-up in the sewer system can affect local wastewater rates.
Final Thoughts
Sewer systems are essential for city life and public health. Sewer obstructions have been the most common cause of sewer system failure.
FOG (Fat, Oil, and Grease) deposits build up in sewer pumping stations, resulting in higher maintenance costs, pump failure, and the risk of wastewater leaks in receiving open water bodies.
Fats, oils, and grease must be dealt with by every business or institution with a commercial kitchen (FOG). It can be beneficial to employ the best management techniques.
Contact Pronto MS for more information on how to keep FOG from slowing down your pipes and your business.