What is FOG?

Fats, Oils and Grease or “FOG” comes from cooking oil, shortening, lard, margarine, butter, dairy products and meat fat in food scraps. FOG poured down kitchen drains accumulates inside sewer pipes. As it builds up, the flow through the pipe is restricted and can cause sanitary sewer overflows (SSO). The end result is sewage backing up into homes, yards, streets, storm drains and into creeks. These SSO’s can damage property, harm the environment and create health hazards.

Durham County has a two hundred milligram per liter (200 mg/L) limit for oil and grease that can be discharged into the sanitary sewer. Requirements for Fats, Oil, and Grease Removal Systems can be found in the Durham County Sewer Use Ordinance, Section 26-102(c).