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Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG)
Fats, oils, and grease (known as FOG) may seem harmless, but when they go down the drain, they can cause major problems. By understanding how to properly manage FOG, everyone can help protect Clayton’s sewer system and reduce costly damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.
To read the Town ordinance last revised September 2020, visit our Online Ordinances.
FOG Overview
It's against the law to discharge fats, oils, and grease into our sewer system. That discharge can clog our sewer pipes, cause major expensive sewer overflows, and expose the public to unsanitary conditions.
To prevent this discharge, the Town of Clayton, along with all towns and cities in our region, requires restaurants and other commercial/industrial facilities to remove accumulated fats, oil, grease, and food solids by installing grease traps or interceptors designed to limit this discharge.
Those devices must be pumped a minimum of every two months. They should be pumped more often if the volume of discharge from your facility is higher. This ordinance requires you to ensure your grease removal device does not exceed the discharge limits set for fats, oil and grease.
To meet this requirement, you are responsible for hiring a licensed hauler to capture and properly dispose of all fat, oil, and grease materials from your device in such a way that is in compliance with these local laws.
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) come from meat, dairy products, cooking oils, butter, sauces, and other food scraps. When poured down the drain, these substances cool and harden inside pipes, leading to clogs in both private plumbing and the Town’s sewer system.
FOG is one of the leading causes of sewer backups and pipe blockages. These backups can:
Damage property and plumbing systems
Pollute streams, rivers, and other waterways
Cause health hazards in homes and neighborhoods
Lead to expensive cleanup and infrastructure repair
Preventing FOG pollution is a simple way to help protect Clayton’s sewer system and the environment.
Ways to Prevent FOG Pollution
Sewer Line Responsibility & What Not to Flush
Keeping Clayton’s sewer system flowing properly is a shared responsibility. The Town is responsible for maintaining the main sewer lines, but the sewer service line (the pipe running from your home to the main line) is the responsibility of the property owner.
If you experience a backup:
- The Town can inspect and clear the main line
- You are responsible for maintaining or replacing your service line
- Any replacement must be done by the Town or a licensed Utility Contractor
Sewer clean outs also belong to the property owner. Leaving a clean out cap off is a violation of Town Ordinance. It allows rainwater in or sewage out, which can harm the system and environment.
If you've had a contractor inspect your line and still suspect an issue with the Town main, call 919-553-1530 so we can investigate further.
Do Not Flush These Items
Even products labeled “flushable” can clog pipes and damage equipment. Only flush toilet paper and waste, never the following:
- Fats, oils, and grease (FOG)
- Food scraps
- Paper towels
- Plastic items
- Hair
- Cotton swabs or balls
- Rags or towels
- Pills or medications
- Food wrappers
- Dental floss
- Rubber gloves
- Diapers
- Cigarettes
- Condoms
- “Flushable” wipes (they don’t break down)
FOG Do's and Don'ts
Help protect your home and our system by following these best practices:
Do:
- Pour cooled grease into a sealed container and place it in the trash
- Scrape food scraps into the garbage before rinsing dishes
- Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing
- Use a sink strainer to catch food particles
Don't:
- Pour oil, grease, or fat down the drain or toilet
- Rely on hot water and soap to “dissolve” grease — it just pushes the problem further into the system
- Use the garbage disposal for greasy or fatty food scraps
What Shouldn’t Go in the Pipes
Even items labeled “flushable” can clog the sewer system. Avoid flushing or draining the following:
- Grease or cooking oil
- Wipes (baby, cleaning, or personal)
- Paper towels and napkins
- Diapers and feminine products
- Cotton swabs and dental floss
- Cat litter and hygiene products
How to Dispose of Grease
Let grease cool after cooking.
Pour it into a sealable container, like a jar or empty can.
Once it solidifies, place it in the trash.
Never pour grease down the drain even in small amounts.
Print-friendly resources are available below.
Restaurants, cafeterias, and commercial kitchens must take extra steps to prevent FOG from entering the sewer system. To stay in compliance and protect public infrastructure, food service operators should:
- Install and maintain grease traps or grease interceptors
- Clean and service equipment on a routine schedule
- Keep maintenance records available for inspections
- Train all staff on proper FOG handling and disposal procedures
FOG BMP Compliance Platform
FOG BMP is an interactive, web-based program that connects Food Service Establishments, Liquid Waste Hauling Companies, and Municipalities. It provides tools and training to help you manage all aspects of FOG handling — all from one central platform.
Whether you're starting from scratch or upgrading an existing program, FOG BMP helps ensure compliance with EPA standards and local requirements.
FOG BMP Contact Information:
- 24/7, 365 Customer Support
- info@FOGBMP.com
- Toll-Free: 1-855-364-2671