Fats, Oils and Greases (FOG) Program
To prevent fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from clogging the city’s wastewater system and causing costly backups and damage, the City of Hermiston has created a FOG Program for businesses and provided recommendations for residents.
For Businesses
Food service establishments are the primary source of FOG and food waste and are required by city ordinance to install a grease removal device with approval through the City of Hermiston. In many cases, businesses that don’t use oil or fry foods will still produce FOG from associated food products.
If your business handles food, the following steps will keep you compliant:
- Register by enrolling in the City’s FOG program. The annual fee is $43.44.
- Install proper equipment including a grease interceptor (outdoor) or approved indoor grease trap. The equipment must be accessible for service and inspection.
- Stay on a cleaning schedule.
- Clean interceptors at least every 90 days, or when 25% of the depths of the contents consists of FOG.
- Grease traps: Clean as often as weekly, depending on use.
- Keep cleaning records onsite for 3 years.
- Follow simple daily practices, like scraping food waste into the trash, training staff on proper grease handling, and never pouring grease down sinks or drains.
- Hire approved haulers for cleanouts and keep disposal receipts for inspections.
- Prepare for inspections and compliance. The City will conduct routine and unannounced inspections. Following the steps above helps you avoid fines, repeat inspections, or service interruptions.
For information or questions about the program, contact Jesus Perches at 541-667-5081 or jperches@hermiston.gov.
For Residents
Fats, oils, and grease — collectively known as FOG — can build-up in private and public sanitary sewer pipes. When FOG is washed down the sink or toilet it coats and sticks to the inside of sewer pipes, reducing flow and potentially causing costly damage.
Q. What are common household sources of FOG?
A. Meat fats (bacon, sausage), lard, cooking oil, butter or margarine, food scraps, baking products, dairy products (milk, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream), cream-based sauces, salad dressings, cheeses, and mayonnaise.
Q. How does FOG affect me?
A. Improper FOG disposal can lead to costly wastewater backups and overflows, increased sewer rates, and sanitation waterway challenges. Blockages in sewer pipes are costly to clean for public works staff and can cause wastewater to backup into basements, yards, streets, parks, and water bodies resulting in public health and environmental concerns. Because these blockages decrease pipe capacity, it requires more frequent cleanings and earlier replacement, increasing the cost to the City and ratepayers.
Q. What can I do to reduce FOG in sewer pipes?
A. There are a few simple household steps you can take to reduce FOG in your pipes and the wastewater system:
- Never pour oil or grease down the sink, toilet or any other drains.
- Put used oil and grease in covered containers for proper disposal.
- Wipe down greasy pots and pans with a dry paper towel and dispose in the trash.
- Scrape food scraps into the trash or compost.
- Don’t rely on the garbage disposal to discard grease or food scraps. It grinds waste into smaller pieces but does not keep it from going down the drain.
- Don’t run hot water over greasy pans or use hot water to wash grease down the drain. Grease will eventually cool and congeal in your pipes.
