FOG - Fats, Oils, and Grease

Protecting Our Sewer Systems From FOG

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) are byproducts of food preparation, meat cutting, and cooking. FOG can be found in meat fats, oils, shortening, butter, margarine, sauces, and dairy products.

When FOG is left on preparation utensils and poured down drains or garbage disposals, it can build up in our collection systems, which can result in backups into sinks, toilets and drains - both in your own, or somebody else's home. These backups pose serious public health and environmental problems - and they can be very costly too.

The first pipes that will become blocked with FOG will be your own pipes, and that could result in expensive plumbing bills. Keeping FOG out of your drains and the sewer system is good for your home's plumbing. Sewer overflows can also damage the environment and affect the health of our waterways.

The City of Zephyrhills Waste Water Collection System is a network of sewer lines, manholes, pumping stations and other structures used to collect wastewater and transport it to a treatment plant. Like other communities, Zephyrhills is battling the problem of "ragging" - when baby wipes, diapers, dental floss, paper towels and other items not designed for flushing entangle sewer pumps.

Examples of products that you should not flush include:

• Paper Towels
• Diapers
• Baby wipes
• Hygienic Wipes
• Sanitary Napkins/Tampons
• Condoms

Do not flush any items that are not designed to disintegrate like toilet paper when flushed. In other words, Wipes Clog Pipes!

The City of Zephyrhills Grease Prevention Program (FOG) ordinance can be found here.