Fats, Oils, & Grease

Grease Control Policy

The grease control program conducts public outreach to Pilot Mountain residents and businesses to decrease the amount of fats, oils and grease (FOG) in the sanitary sewer system.  Grease can cause blockages in sewer pipes resulting in sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).  An SSO is when untreated sewage is released into the environment before reaching the wastewater treatment plant. Grease related SSOs have been increasing over the years due to discharges of FOG by residents and businesses.  This can cause wastewater to backup up in a pipe and flow out manholes.  Untreated sewage can flow into storm drain inlets, creeks, lakes or rivers.  Most overflows, being relatively small, can be stopped and cleaned up quickly.  If not addressed, SSOs can result in property damage, strong odors and environmental health and safety problems.  

The Town's goal is to take a proactive approach of pollution prevention focusing on proper FOG disposal, thus protecting the environment and decreasing our sewer maintenance costs that are shared by all customers.  The Town works with restaurants, delis, food preparation businesses, school cafeterias and other similar businesses to install grease traps on their property to prevent FOG from reaching the sewer systems.  These traps are inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.  However, FOG from residential buildings is also a big contributor to FOG related SSOs. 

Fats, Oils and Grease Best Practices for Residents

Pour used cooking grease in a can or jar and dispose of in the garbage. 

• Pour or scrape grease from pots and pans into cans or jars.  Store this in the refrigerator until full.  When the grease is chilled solid, throw it in the garbage. 
• Pour used frying oil into containers that can be capped and then thrown in the garbage. 

Why not just pour grease down the drain? 

Grease coats the insides of drains and sewer pipes.  Over time, the grease builds up until it blocks the pipe.  When this happens, the drain can back up into the house.  If the clog is in a sewer pipe, raw sewage can back up into your house!

Where does grease come from?

Grease is used in cooking and it occurs naturally in many foods.  It can be found in such items as the following:  meat fats, lard, butter, margarine, cooking oil, shortening, food scraps, baking goods, sauces and even salad dressings.  

Hot water DOES NOT dissolve grease

If you pour grease down the drain with hot water, it will harden in the pipes as soon as the water cools off.