Fats, Oils and Grease

Overview
 

The City of Great Falls has adopted a Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control to assist with FOG prevention in the sanitary sewer system, and thereby reduces the number of sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) initiated by the presence of FOG.

Why is a FOG program needed?

Fats, oil, and grease (FOG) is a common problem for wastewater utilities throughout the nation and is most frequently a result of waste product from food preparation and dish cleaning at Food Service Establishments (FSE). When fats, oil and grease (FOG) are washed down the drain, they tend to coagulate and combine, and stick and build up on many surfaces within the sanitary sewer collection system. FSE are major contributors to blockages in the city's collection system. One of the most effective measures of FOG control involves the installation and maintenance of grease removal devices. These can be a grease interceptor or a hydromechanical grease trap. This source of pollution is also easily preventable by good kitchen management practices and proper maintenance of the grease removal device. 

What is the difference between a grease interceptor and a hydromechanical grease trap?

The two significant differences between them is size and location. A hydro mechanical grease trap is a small device that is located inside the facility and generally placed under a sink. A grease interceptor is a vault with a minimum capacity of around 600 gallons and some can exceed 2000 gallon capacity. These devices are generally buried outside the facility and in the ground. Both are designed as a holding device that allows the fats, oils, and grease to separate from the water, congeal, and rise to the surface to be removed rather than be introduced into the sewer system.

For more information:
 

The manual attached below provides the City’s FOG Control Program requirements in accordance with the Official Code of the City of Great Falls and federal requirements.

For homeowners, there is an attached "Holiday FOG guide" which includes guidelines for safely disposing of household FOG. Of course, these guidelines are recommended to be used year-round, not just on the holidays.