CITY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Private Sewers &
Septic Systems

Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG)

Fats, oils, and grease often stick to the insides of sewer pipes when washed into kitchen plumbing systems. This can block pipes and cause back ups and overflows on private property and in the streets, causing property damage, environmental problems and other health hazards.

Solutions:

At home –

• Scrape grease and food scraps from plates, pots, pans, utensils, and grills (or other cooking surfaces) into a can or the trash for disposal.
• Do not put grease down garbage disposals.
• Use baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids—and dispose of them in the trash.

Food service operations –

• Implement Kitchen Best Management Practices (BMPs) to Manage Fats, Oil and Grease.

• Install a grease interceptor that is sized and manufactured to handle the amount of grease byproduct anticipated.
• Maintain your grease interceptor in proper operating condition by having it cleaned and serviced on a frequent basis.

 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FATS, OIL AND GREASE