Every day, thousands of gallons of fats, oils, and grease—known as FOG—make their way down kitchen sinks across Orange County. The result? FOG buildup in our pipes, leading to clogs, overflows, and costly repairs. FOG might seem harmless, but even small amounts, like the grease left over from cooking a few strips of bacon, can quickly accumulate and create major plumbing problems.

Did you know that one pound of bacon can leave behind up to 2 ounces of grease? That may not sound like much, but it quickly adds up. A single busy household could pour over a gallon of FOG into the drain each month without realizing it. This creates thick, sticky blockages in pipes that don’t just impact your home—they impact the community by increasing maintenance needs and adding strain on wastewater treatment systems.

What can you do to help? Collect fats, oils, and grease in a container and throw them in the trash once they’ve cooled. It’s a small step with a big impact in keeping our wastewater system running smoothly. Avoid the clog, keep FOG out of the drain, and keep our community’s pipes clear.

To learn more about FOG and access our activity book visit https://www.ocsan.gov/fog/