FOG Program

The quiet menace that haunts our sanitary sewer systems, fats, oils and grease or better known as "FOG". FOG is the unwanted byproduct of food preparation. It comes from a variety of food sources such as butter, meats, sauces, milk products, plant oils, dressings, and gravies. FOG usually is found in a liquid form when heated and then becomes solid or semisolid when cooled. As we clean and rinse our dishes as well as prepare food, we accumulate FOG which likely finds its way down the drains. FOG as it hardens attaches to the sides of our sewer pipes and slows down the flow through our lateral sewer lines in our homes and businesses to the main sewer lines in the street. Ultimately the pipes will clog and back up resulting in a messy and costly cleanup. FOG that finds its way into the main sewer lines can create an even larger blockage and damage to multiple properties with a resulting increased cost to sewer services provided to the community. In additional to sewer line backups, FOG can result in environmental and compliance issues if not handled correctly. To mitigate and control the amount of FOG entering the sanitary sewer system, Bethlehem Township has enhanced its FOG Program.

To access FOG User Guide, click HERE

To access our FOG Registration and Self-Reporting Form, click HERE

To contact the FOG team, click HERE

The Bethlehem Township FOG Program is designed to reduce and eliminate the amount of fats, oils and grease residuals entering the sanitary sewer system from Bethlehem Township food handling businesses. Through the implementation of an Ordinance, education, best management practices and an inspection program Bethlehem Township is committed to controlling FOG at the source.

FOG is not only generated in businesses but also in our own homes. How can homeowners help with the fight against FOG? Consider a few of these helpful hints to eliminate fats, oils and greases from finding their way to your drains:

• DRY CLEAN UP - using paper towels or absorbent material and put in trash
• CAN IT UP – deposit your excess food grease into a container, allow to cool and harden and then throw in trash
• USE IT UP- reuse your food grease for cooking and flavor; add a small amount to dog and cat food to help with coat shine
• LIGHT IT UP – can be used as oil lamp fuel
• CONDITION – mixture of used cooking oil and vinegar to polish and restore wood
• BE CREATIVE - make bird food suet cakes by mixing residual food grease with bird seed
• CLEAN UP – use to make lye soaps; check out the internet for instructions
• COMPOST – add to your garden compost pile to enhance composting process and feed worms (vegetable oils only)

Everyone needs to do their part in the fight against FOG. For more information on the Bethlehem Township FOG program please reach out to Paul Plantone 610-814-6424.