Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Clog Pipes

NOTICE: This is a reminder that fats, oils, and grease (FOG) items should never be put down the sink. FOG are natural by-products of the cooking and food prep process. Common sources include food scraps, meat fats, cooking oils, lard, baked goods, salad dressings, sauces, marinades, dairy products, shortening, butter, and margarine.

In a warm, liquid state, FOG can appear harmless since it flows easily down the drain. However, shortly after it enters the drain, it can quickly cool and turn into a solid that will cause problems in the pipes in your home and in the sanitary sewer system.

Over time, FOG will accumulate along the walls of the sewer pipes. This will restrict the flow of wastewater and can cause sewer backups not only into your property, but throughout your neighborhood.

FOG also contributes to operational issues for our Water Utility such as obstructing flow in the sewers, causing foul odors, interfering with equipment and treatment processes at the Wastewater Utility, along with potentially polluting our lakes and streams.

Please do yourself and the Public Works Departments a favor today by not flushing fats, oils and grease down the sink. The presence of FOG in the sewer system affects everyone in our community!

Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
262-473-0139
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov

For other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.