Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program
Sewage backups and overflows are often the results of grease buildup, which an lead to costly cleanups and repairs, as well as public health concerns. Restaurants and other food-handling facilities tht may not have the proper management practices in place are a primary source of FOG entering Fargo's sanitary sewer system.
FOG is a by-product of cooking that can be found in:
- Meat fats
- Lard
- Cooking oil
- Butter and margarine
- Baking goods
- Sauces
- Dairy products
- Food scraps
When not disposed of properly, enough FOG can build up in the city sewer system to block an entire pipe, causing sewage backups and overflows.
To limit the amounts of fats, oil, and grease entering Fargo's Wastewater Treatment Plant, the city provided homeowners and all licensed restaurants with information about the best management practices for disposal of FOG. The pretreatment coordinator and Fargo's Environmental Health Division will continue to work to promote disposal methods, recycling options and the installation of grease traps and interceptors in new and existing facilities.
To report a sewer backup, please contact the Puplic Works Department at 701.241.1453. For more information on the Fargo FOG Education Program, call 701.461.7867.