Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) and your septic system

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are a component of your wastewater, which are the product of dishwashing and food scraps entering your septic system or sewer.  Whilst restaurants and food vendors may have higher concentrations of FOG in their system, residential houses are sometimes not immune to problems caused by a build up of these substances.

FOG are found in numerous foods, including dairy, meats, oils and even many processed foods and snacks.  It becomes problematic for septic systems, because FOG cling to surfaces with an almost supernatural stubbornness. 

When washing with detergent, hot water is also required to liquefy and remove fat from dishes.   Once it cools down inside the pipes, the FOG coagulate and solidify again, sticking to the inside of the pipes.  Over time the FOG build up capturing passing debris and solids, causing obstructions and sometimes complete blockages to pipes.

To clear pipes that have become clogged with FOG and other debris, jetting the pipes is sometimes required. To eliminate accumulating FOG on the surface of the water in the septic tank, have the tank pumped.

Here are some tips to reduce the amount of FOG entering your system.

·       Wipe dishes with paper towel to remove FOG before washing

·       Use strainers in sink to catch food waste

·       Pour cooled fats into a container and dispose of in the bin

·       Use water temperatures less than 60°C in the sink. Temperatures in excess of this will dissolve grease, but the grease can re-congeal or solidify in the wastewater collection system as the water cools.

·       Share this knowledge with everyone in your household (including children who may help with chores), so that everyone is on board with best practice.

These tips are applicable to tenants of homes that are connected to mains sewers as well as those with septic tanks.  By reducing the amount of FOG entering our waterways, we can prolong the life of our Wastewater treatment plants and septic systems. 

If your drains and septic system aren’t coping with water usage as well as they use to or you would like to look at pumping your tanks before it becomes a problem, get in touch with us to see how we can help.