- Never pour grease down sink drains, floor drains, or into toilets
- Scrape grease and food scraps into a can, directly into the trash, or into a compost bin for proper disposal
- Use a strainer in the sink to collect excess food scraps
- Do not rely on a garbage disposal to get rid of grease or food scraps; they are not trash cans!
- Don't use chemicals to remove clogs; they can damage the piping system & push material into the main sewer lines
- Encourage others to help keep FOG out of the sewer system
Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Program
Fats, oils, and greases, also referred to as "FOG", come from items such as meat fats, lard, oil, shortening, butter, margarine, food scraps, baked goods, sauces, mayonnaise, and dairy products. FOG can enter the sewer system from washing dishes containing even residual amounts of these items. Large amounts of FOG are commonly found in Food Service Establishments (FSEs). However, FOG is produced wherever food is prepared, including residential homes and other businesses.
When FOG is poured down the drain, it solidifies and builds up in the pipes. Blockages from FOG can cause backups in kitchens or basements, or lead to sanitary sewer overflows. These back-ups and overflows are a health risk and cause unpleasant odors. Back-ups are expensive and unpleasant to clean up, and often must be paid for by you, the business/home owner.
FOG Exemption applications are to be submitted online through our Citizen Access platform. FOG Exemptions have an application fee of $50 per Ordinance 12-5. The fee can be paid by credit card on the Citizen Access platform.
Each applicant must create an account through Citizen Access to complete the exemption process. Once you've created an account, you will need to log in, select “Building Permits", select “Create an Application”, then select the "City Public Works, FOG Ordinance Exemption" permit type.
If you have any questions, please call Chelsea Wiegand (FOG Coordinator) at 507-328-2660 or contact via email at cwiegand@rochestermn.gov. You can also contact Community Development at 507-328-2600 for questions about Accela Citizen Access.
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