Fats, Oils and Grease Program (FOG)

Overview (including ordinance)
Inspections
Enforcement
Best Management Practices
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Information
Licensed Haulers
Fog Maintenance Form
Preferred Pumper Program

Overview: Link to MMC 13.12.063
Sanitary sewers are designed and installed with sufficient diameter to carry the normal waste discharges from a residence or business. When FOG is discharged to the sewer system, it cools and accumulates on the sidewalls of the sewer pipes. Over time, this accumulation of fats, oils and grease congeals to the inside of the sewer collection system which restricts the flow, requires more routine maintenance, requires more frequent replacement of collection system and causes blockages in the sewer system, which may result in overflowing manholes or residential and commercial sewer backups.
The City of Milwaukie is helping the food service industry understand the problems associated with FOG discharges and to provide business owners assistance in managing FOG correctly through the use of Best Management Practices (BMP’s).

• Fats are found in such items as dairy products, meat

• Oils are found in coffee beans, cooking oils

• Greases are found in deep fried foods

Inspections:
All Food Services Facilities (FSF’s) are subject to routine inspections. In addition, FSF’s may be inspected, with out notice and during business hours at any time, in response to complaints or reports of sewer blockages. FOG inspectors will verify that all required fixtures are connected to a FOG treatment device and that the FOG treatment device is adequately sized and installed according to City code.

Inspectors may also review maintenance records or other documents related to the operation of the FOG treatment device.

Enforcement:
Failure to comply with any condition of City Municipal Code will subject the establishment owner to penalties and other enforcement action.  A person found to have committed a violation of this title shall be assessed a penalty of not more that five hundred dollars ($500.00) per day per violation, for violations of this section.

Best Management Practices:
The best way to manage FOG is to keep it out of the plumbing system in the first place!

The following are some ways to greatly reduce the amount of FOG entering the sewer system:

• Scrape pots and pans prior to washing.
• Do not pour, scrape, or otherwise dispose of fats, oils, or grease into the sink or drains.
• Collect fryer oil and store in barrels for recycling.
• Dump mop water only to drains connected to your FOG treatment system.
• Use absorbents to soak up spills containing fats, oils, and grease.
• Do not put food (including liquid food) including milkshakes, syrups, batters and gravy down the drain.
• Use strainers on sinks and floor drains to prevent solid material from entering the sewer system.
• Post “No FOG” signs near sinks and drains.
• If you have an automatic grease recovery device, empty the collection pan before it becomes full.
• Provide your employees with the proper equipment for cleaning your grease trap/interceptor or grease recovery device.
• Train all kitchen staff in the best management practices for FOG disposal and the impacts of FOG accumulation in the sewer system.
• Provide regular refresher training/discussion for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease for all employees.
• Inspect grease traps/interceptors after pumping to ensure adequate cleaning and properly functioning.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is FOG?
Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) is a byproduct of (is not limited to, but may include) cooking, food and drink preparation and meat cutting. FOG can be found in meat fats, shortening, butter, margarine, sauces and dairy products.

Why is FOG an issue for my business?
FOG accumulates in sewer pipes and causes blockages. FOG blockages cause sewer overflows and basement backups. Restaurants and other food and drink service establishments can be closed down due to blockages and backups. Restaurants and other food and drink service establishments can also be held financially responsible for damages resulting from blockages and backups.
The City of Milwaukie municipal code requires fats, oils and grease abatement. In accordance with Federal Environmental Protection Agency, the City is campaigning to control the discharge of FOG to the sewer system. In addition to reaching out to customers and advising them on how to properly manage FOG, we are increasing our regulation of food and drink service establishments. All food and drink service establishments will receive regular inspections.

Why are coffee shops included in the FOG program?
Coffee shops are including in the program because of the oils in coffee beans and the dairy products used to produce the coffee. Coffee beans contain 15% oil per bean and coffee has a lowered pH, which determines the difference between alkalinity and acidity. Normal pH of wastewater has a level of 6.5 to 7.5 on average and when coffee is introduced to the sewer system it has an average pH of 5.0, which causes excessive rusting of metal parts and abrasion of concrete pipe. Dairy products have 3% milk fat content per ounce of milk product. Once the dairy product goes down the drain it congeals to the inside of the sewer collections system.

What will FOG inspectors be looking for?
The City FOG inspectors will inspect the sewer system for FOG accumulation. They will verify that the food and drink service establishment is implementing Best Management Practices for controlling FOG. The FOG abatement system will be inspected to verify that is adequately sized for the connected fixtures, that it is being properly maintained, and that it is in operating condition. If no FOG abatement system is present, the food service establishment may be required to install one (or more if necessary).

What types of businesses require compliance?
All “Food service facility” or “facility” that prepares and/or packages food or beverages for sale or consumption, on or off site, with the exception of private residences. Food service facilities shall include, but are not limited to, food preparation facilities, food courts, food manufacturers with an average daily discharge volume of up to twenty-five thousand (25,000) gallons per day, food packagers, restaurants, cafeterias, grocery stores, convenience stores, coffee shops, bakeries, lounges, hospitals, hotels, nursing homes, churches, schools, and all other food service facilities not listed.

Are there any Fees involved?
Yes, the establishment owner is financially responsible for all charges that will occur including installation, maintenance, pumping, disposal and repair of FOG abatement system. At this time the City does not have a permit or inspection fee.

Contact Information:

Robert Livingston
City of Milwaukie
Utility Specialist II - Stormwater/Wastewater
6101 SE Johnson Creek Blvd.
Milwaukie, OR 97206
503-786-7691
or email livingstonr@ci.milwaukie.or.us

Ronelle Sears
City of Milwaukie
Operations Supervisor Waste/Stormwater
6101 SE Johnson Creek Blvd.
Milwaukie, OR 97206
503-786-7615
or email searsr@ci.milwaukie.or.us

Tim Salyers
City of Milwaukie
Code Compliance
10722 SE Main St.
Milwaukie, OR 97222
503-786-7409
or email salyerst@ci.milwaukie.or.us

Paul Shirey
City of Milwaukie
Operations Director
6101 SE Johnson Creek Blvd.
Milwaukie, OR 97206
503-786-7614
or email shireyp@ci.milwaukie.or.us

Licensed Preferred Haulers:

Last updated: 02/22/2010

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