Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Program

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Keep FOG out of your kitchen drain and the sanitary sewer. Scrape Fat, Oil and Grease from plates, pots and pans into a container in the trash before washing to avoid messy back ups.

Diagram of common sewer lateral lines

Over time, FOG entering the sanitary sewer through sinks, floor drains, dishwashers and other home or commercial kitchen equipment causes problematic blockages in plumbing and sanitary sewer lines.

FOG buildup along pipe walls can lead to a sanitary sewer overflow inside your home, business, adjacent buildings, streets or the environment, creating a safety hazard that endangers public health and impacts our creeks and Bay.

Prevention = the best solution! Keep FOG out of pipes and the sewer system. Avoid the expense and inconvenience of a drain cleaning service.

Sewer back up? Have a property line cleanout? Call the City:
Regular business hours	(408) 615-2000
After hours, weekends, holidays	(408) 615-5640

What is FOG? Icon illustrating no Fats, Oils or Grease down the drain

Cooking oils: olive, coconut, canola, vegetable oil and others
Bacon grease / meat fat
Butter / shortening
Salad dressings
Gravy / sauces
Dairy products

Keep Home Kitchen Drains Fat-Free

Removal of FOG blockages is expensive and messy. FOG in sewer lines increases maintenance of the City's sewers, raising sewer rates for all customers. Reduce FOG problems at home:

Never pour hot oil or grease into the sink!
Scrape cooled fats from plates, pots & pans into a container in the trash before washing.
Cold water congeals FOG, making buildup in pipes and sewer laterals less likely.
Throw away products like expired dairy products, sunscreen, lotion and cosmetics in the trash.

FOG "Fix-It" Myth	FOG Reality
Running Hot Tap Water		Water cools, making grease solid again.
Room Temperature Oils		Harden in cold underground sewer pipes, creating FOG buildup.
"Grease Dissolving" Soaps & Detergents		Break up grease while washing, but dilute and do nothing to protect your pipes.
Garbage Disposals		Shred leftover fats into smaller pieces, but don't get rid of fats or grease.

COMMERCIAL FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
FOG Control Program requirements are implemented and enforced through Plan Checks, inspections and education. Inspections are unannounced and occur during business hours. Inspectors examine indoor and outdoor areas, review cleaning practices with staff and check documentation indicating the facility manages its FOG correctly. Upon completion, a written Inspection Report is provided. If needed, inspectors conduct a follow-up inspection verifying that any violations are corrected. Uncorrected, repeated and/or serious violations result in escalated enforcement, up to and including fines.

Wastewater Plan Checks for Remodel / New Construction
	A City Plan Check is required to ensure proper disposal of wastewater to the sanitary sewer for any remodeled or newly constructed food service establishment. Prior to the City Plan Check, obtain approval and a stamp on your plans from the Santa Clara County Health Department.
Requirements for Food Service Establishments
	All Food Service Establishment sites discharging wastewater to the sanitary sewer from sources other than standard domestic sanitary facilities (toilets, bathroom sinks), must submit a completed Food Service Checklist with plans for Plan Check. The Checklist:
	applies to any facility conducting commercial cooking operations including dishwashing and equipment cleaning that generate grease-laden wastewater. provides guidance for designing FOG control protecting the sanitary sewer system. assists Building Permit applicants and designers and installers of food service establishments to comply with the California Plumbing Code (CPC) and Santa Clara City Code (SCCC).
Fill out all sections using current operating data or estimates based on similar types of businesses.
Guidelines: acceptable specifications for grease control devices (GCDs) also known as grease interceptors.

Best Management Practices for Food Establishments
	Grease Control Device Maintenance and Recordkeeping Grease Control Device Recordkeeping Log Grease Interceptor Maintenance Grease Trap Maintenance Proper Cleaning of Exhaust Hoods, Filters, Ducting, Roof Fans and Floor Mats Prohibitions on Chemicals, Enzymes or Bacteria in Grease Traps and Interceptors
Food Establishment Guidelines for FOG Management
	Food Service Checklist for Plan Check Permit Applications How to Clean Your Grease Trap Poster [English / Spanish / Vietnamese] Trash Enclosure Poster [English / Spanish / Vietnamese] Acceptable Specifications for Grease Interceptors

	Grease Pumpers & Haulers
The following have completed a City of San Jose FOG Training Program for the Regional Wastewater Facility covering ordinance requirements for grease control device maintenance and documentation. Provided as a courtesy, this is not a complete list of suppliers of this service type. It is the hiring party's responsibility to verify a company's qualifications, references and compliance with regulations on handling and transporting wastes. The City of Santa Clara does not endorse these companies or their quality of work.
	Company	Phone Number	Website
	A-1 Septic Tank Services	(510) 886-4455	www.a1tank.net
	All Valley Environmental, Inc.	(559) 498-8378	www.allvalleyenv.com
	Baker Commodities	(559) 846-9393	www.bakercommodities.com
	Burr Plumbing & Pumping	(408) 287-2877	Not available
	Darling Ingredients	(800) 473-4890	www.darlingii.com
	Liquid Environmental Solutions	(510) 266-5719	https://www.liquidenviro.com
	SeQuential Pacific Biodiesel	(800) 447-3794	www.choosesq.com
	SRC Pumping	(916) 363-1342	www.srccompanies.com

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Word Viewer

Last Updated:

05-30-2024