Cease the Fats, Oils, & Grease

Food scraps, soups, sauces, gravies, dressings, oils, and meat fats go in the trash. When put through the garbage disposal or washed down the sink with hot water, FOG (fats, oils, and grease) coats sewer pipes and causes blockages. Even small amounts of FOG coat the sewer pipes on your property and under the street. Over time, FOG build-up can lead to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) into your home, neighborhood, or business which can require costly repairs and cause health hazards. Don't sink your grease! Instead, wipe grease and food scraps off of dishes and into the trash.

Here are more ways you can Cease the Fats, Oils, and Grease: Fat-Free Sewers (Alcantarillas Sin Grasa) brochure

Templeton Community Services District’s Sewer Code requires food service establishments (FSEs) to install and regularly maintain grease interceptors in accordance with the California Plumbing Code. A grease interceptor is a plumbing device designed to prevent FOG and solids from entering the sewer system. In a commercial kitchen, fixtures and equipment producing wastewater that may contain FOG and solids must be plumbed through an interceptor. The interceptor slows the flow of the wastewater. With sufficient time, FOG and solids separate from wastewater. FOG rises to the top of the interceptor and solids sink to the bottom. FOG and solids are removed from the interceptor during routine maintenance.

Please see Hydromechanical and Gravity Grease Interceptor Selection and Maintenance Guide for more details.

Your FSE may be required to obtain a Food Service Wastewater Discharge Permit. If your FSE does not have a discharge permit, please print the application and return it to Templeton Community Services District to start your permitting process. We prefer to coach and counsel rather than issue penalties. We are here to help!

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are required as part of the FOG implementation program and they ultimately save you money. BMPs decrease the amount of FOG entering your grease interceptor and reduce the amount of hot water needed for cleaning in the kitchen, allowing more time between interceptor maintenance and reducing your establishment’s water and energy use.

Please contact the Permit Compliance Specialist at PermitTech@templetoncsd.org or (805) 434-4900 with any questions and to start your Food Service Wastewater Discharge Permit application process. 

Ask for a complimentary Dish Squeegee!
Do your part to Cease the Fats, Oils, & Grease in our sewer.
Put FOG where it belongs - in the trash.
(Limit one per address in TCSD service area. Color may vary.)