FATS, OILS, AND GREASE (FOG)

The City of Rice Lake's Fats, Oil and Grease Ordinance #28 establishing standards for FOG reduction models the Resource and Renew (WLSSD) FOG Ordinance. Resource and Renew is the regional treatment facility that our municipal wastewater flows to.
Fats, oils and grease or FOG, if discharged in the sanitary sewer system can cause blockages and/or increase sewer maintenance to both city mains and private sanitary services. This can create an increased cost for both the city and business owners. The intent of the ordinance is to eliminate FOG discharges into the sanitary sewer to prevent these backups and to reduce maintenance costs.
The City of Rice Lake wants to work with property owners and businesses that generate FOG. Our goal is to educate property and business owners first on the best management practices to reduce FOG discharges.
As part of the City’s FOG Reduction Program, a list of all FOG generating facilities and their FOG generating processes is maintained by the City. Periodic and random FOG equipment and Best Management Practices (BMP) inspections are performed, including scheduled inspections of known problem areas. FOG generating facilities must maintain records for all Grease Trap/Interceptor cleaning, maintenance and disposal activities using the FOG Maintenance Log available under Helpful Links. These records must be available during City inspections.

Helpful Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is FOG?
FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) comes from animal and vegetable fats used in food and drink preparation and cooking.
Why is FOG a problem?
FOG is washed from cooking equipment and floors into the sanitary sewer system, where it builds up in the sewer system and causes blocked pipes and sewer backups. Food and drink establishments responsible for FOG-related sewer problems can be held financially responsible for resulting damages.
What can we do about the FOG problem?
Rice Lake’s FOG ordinance requires all facilities that prepare and serve food to comply with the FOG ordinance which will help prevent sewer problems that are both costly and hazardous to public health.
What is a grease interceptor and how does it work?
Grease interceptors, usually located outside buildings, trap floating grease and food waste and prevent it from entering the sewer system
What is a grease trap and how does it work?
Grease traps, usually located inside the building, collect grease and food waste before it enters the plumbing system.
Who needs to install grease interceptors or traps?
All new facilities that prepare and serve food are required to install grease removal devices and undergo regular inspections. Existing facilities are only required to install grease interceptors or traps if the City documents that they are causing FOG to be discharged.
How often should grease interceptors and traps be cleaned?
Grease removal devices must be cleaned regularly, and all activity must be recorded on a maintenance log. Inspectors will ask to see this log during inspections. Grease interceptors need to be cleaned every 30-90 days, depending on the volume of waste. Grease traps need to be cleaned daily to weekly. All FOG must be disposed of properly—either as solid waste or by a licensed hauler.
How can I get in compliance?
The City of Rice Lake will provide guidelines for getting in compliance and reducing or eliminating FOG from entering the plumbing. City inspectors check if food and drink service establishments have proper grease control devices and are using and maintaining them correctly. Facilities that don’t have grease control devices will be required to install them. Inspectors will also check that establishments have procedures for handling FOG and cleaning grease control devices.
What if I don’t get in compliance?
Establishments that fail to comply with Rice Lake’s grease waste management policies and discharge FOG to the City sewer may be required to install additional grease-removal equipment, be fined, or even have their utility services terminated.