In an effort to prevent the introduction of
fats, oils, and grease (FOG) into the City’s
sanitary sewer system and prevent sewer system
blockages that can result in sewage spills,
the City has developed a FOG program. The
FOG program is intended to increase the awareness
of operators of local food service establishments,
and their employees, about measures that
they can take to limit or prevent the introduction
of fats, oils and grease into the drain and
the sanitary sewer system.
Recent adopted State regulations have made it mandatory for all cities to develop programs to regulate the activities of food service establishments especially the disposal of grease.
Consequently, all local food service establishments are required to comply with these regulations which include applying for annual permits, undergoing annual inspections of their facilities, ensuring that cooking equipment is maintained, ensuring proper maintenance of any existing grease collection equipment, and implementation of best management practices.
All food service establishment operators are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Fats, Oils and Grease Control Program Manual on the City of Cypress website. This document is available in a PDF format and can be downloaded by clicking on the Fats, Oils and Grease Control Program Manual link. This document will provide you with a greater understanding of the requirements of the FOG program. Other documents relative to the City of Cypress FOG Program include the following:
Fats Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program Adopted Fees
Fats, Oils, Grease Wastewater Discharge Permit Application Form 219-1 (to be completed annually by all Food Service Establishments)
Fats, Oils, Grease Wastewater Discharge Permit Standard Conditions of Approval Form 219–2 (provides guidelines for all Food Service Establishments to remain in compliance with the permit)
Food Service Establishment Training Log Form 219-3 (to be completed to verify training of employees)
Exhaust Hood Maintenance Log Form 219-4 (to be completed to verify cleaning and maintenance of exhaust hoods and ducts)
Grease Barrel Collection Log Form 219-5 (to be completed to record grease collection pick up times and volumes)
Grease Interceptor/Trap Log Form 219-6 (to be completed to record pumping, inspection and maintenance of your grease interceptor)
Proper Pump Out Procedure For Grease Interceptor BMP 219-A (description of proper cleaning/maintenance activities that should be performed during maintenance of grease interceptor)
Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual
City of Cypress Grease Interceptor Standard Plan (specification describing the minimum size and location of grease control device)
Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) Grease Control Device Conditions of Approval
Installation and Maintenance of Grease Control Devices
Fats, oils and grease, also called FOG in the wastewater business, can have negative impacts on sanitary sewer collection and treatment systems. A large percentage of sanitary sewer collection system blockages can be traced to FOG. Blockages in the sanitary sewer collection system are serious, causing sewage spills, manhole overflows, or sewage backups in homes and businesses.
Two types of FOG pollutants are common to wastewater systems. Petroleum-based oil and grease (non-polar concentrations) occur at businesses using oil and grease, and are identified and regulated by municipalities through local limits and associated pretreatment permit conditions. Animal and vegetable-based oil and grease (polar concentrations) are more difficult to regulate due to the large number of restaurants and fast-food outlets in every community.
This manual was written to provide restaurant and fast food business managers and owners with information about animal and vegetable-based oil and grease pollution prevention techniques focused on their businesses, effective in both reducing maintenance costs for business owners, and preventing oil and grease discharges to the sewer system.
Many of the nation’s fast-food restaurant chains participate in FOG recycling programs. Ensuring that grease trap and grease interceptors are properly installed and most importantly, properly maintained is more difficult. This manual focuses on proper maintenance of grease traps and interceptors and includes answers to many of the commonly asked questions related to grease pretreatment.
Knowledgeable municipal pretreatment staff, working with business owners, can effectively prevent oil and grease buildup, and associated problems, for both the sewerage agency and the restaurant owner.
For more information regarding the fats, oils and grease manual, please call the Department of Public Works at (714) 229-6740.
