The discharge of fats, oils, and greases to the sanitary sewer system is an important environmental and public health issue. Fats, oils, and greases (called FOG for short) build up in sewer lines over time, restricting the capacity of the pipes. Attempts to keep the sewer collection system flowing is a very costly and time consuming effort. Eventually, the pipes can become blocked completely, leading to overflows of raw sewage into streets, storm drains, and our creeks.
Palo Alto's sewer collection system currently experiences several hundred blockages each year. The blockages occur primarily in the downtown area and in other areas where restaurants are present. Many of the blockages have caused sewage to overflow onto streets and into storm drains or basements. Sanitary sewer overflows are currently being focused on by the California Water Quality Control Board. Stringent requirements for maintenance of collection systems and reporting of overflows were adopted in 2006.
Grease has also entered the environment from criminal grease management and disposal practices. Several spills and dumping incidents have occurred in our service area and in the Bay area during the last few years. Cities and the District Attorney's office have been aggressively pursuing the violators. Businesses that are hiring grease haulers to clean and maintain their grease removal devices need to be careful about who they work with and monitor those activities closely.
The most effective way to reduce these problems is for residents and restaurants to do what they can to minimize the amount of these materials that they send to the sanitary sewer.
What we can do to help
The easiest way to solve the grease problem and help prevent overflows of raw sewage is to keep this material out of the sewer system in the first place. There are several ways to do this:
- Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets.
- Scrape grease and food scraps from trays, plates, pots, pans, utensils, and grills and cooking surfaces into a can or the trash for disposal (or recycling where available).
- Do not put grease down garbage disposals. Put baskets/strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and empty the drain baskets/strainers into the trash for disposal.
- Speak with your friends and neighbors about the problem of grease in the sewer system and how to keep it out. Call us at 650-329-2598 if you have any questions.
Restaurants
All food service facilities should be aware of the importance of installation and proper maintenance of grease removal devices. Existing ordinance provisions and several new requirements for food service facilities are designed to help minimize the impact that these businesses have on the sewage collection system in Palo Alto. There is more information on the Restaurants Page.
Grease Haulers
Grease haulers pump out the contents of grease removal devices and dispose of the grease at landfills that accept grease waste, or at sewage treatment facilities. There is more information on the Grease Hauler Page.
