How FOG Clogs Pipes

Just as fat accumulates and causes blockages in human arteries, oil and grease solidifies and accumulates in household pipes, restricting the flow of wastewater and causing sewer backups and overflows.

How it starts: Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) separates from other liquids as it goes down your drain. The FOG cools and sticks to household pipes and sewer pipes.

A matter of time: Over time, pipes become clogged and sewage flow becomes restricted.

Nowhere to go but back: The clogged pipe eventually backs up and floods your home with wastewater. Or it causes it to overflow onto the street.

A threat to the environment: The untreated wastewater can then flow to local waterways, potentially harming the environment.

The cost to ratepayers: Not only is FOG costly to the environment, it can also be costly to ratepayers, as the expense of repairing clogged pipes may ultimately impact customers’ monthly rates.