The Orange County Sanitation District is participating along with many other Orange County cities and agencies in a public education campaign to eliminate the improper disposal of fats, oils and grease (FOG). The campaign's tag line, “The drain is not a dump!” is meant to remind people that putting fats, oils or grease down a sink can be unhealthy and costly.

Putting these greasy materials down a sink can lead to sewer clogs, and the clogs can lead to wastewater backing up into a home or business, spilling out onto the streets, and even finding its way into storm drains and to the beaches. Cleanup can be expensive for homeowners, and especially expensive for businesses like restaurants, which can also be subject to fines and closures.

Restaurants are now required to store fats, oils, and grease in containers that are picked up by permitted recycling and rendering facilities.

Residents must mix fats, oils, and grease with absorbent waste such as paper towels, kitty litter, coffee grounds, or shredded newspaper before discarding in the trash.

Residents and businesses may see the FOG messages in posters, brochures, school programs, and announcements on radio and TV. The program is multilingual and provides materials in English, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

This FOG public education program is being done in response to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region's enactment of Order No. R8-2002-0014. A key requirement of the order is that cities and agencies providing sewer services implement a public education program to inform the general public and food service establishments such as restaurants about proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease.

All FOG studies and reports are available in the Document Center Keywords: FOG Studies