Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) are by-products of many foods and are used in the cooking of food.  Grease is the common term for animal fats and vegetable oil.  Grease can be found in such food items as meat fats, lard, butter, margarine, cooking oil, shortening, food scraps and baked goods. 

The Pretreatment Section's FOG Program is designed to limit and control FOG discharges from food service establishments and to provide educational information to users of the wastewater system.

The Pretreatment's FOG Program is to:

• Protect public health by preventing exposure to disease causing bacteria,
• Protect private property and the City's infrastructure from damage caused by Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO),
• Protect the environment from harm caused by Sanitary Sewer Overflows, and
• Ensure compliance with the City of Yuma AZPDES Permit.
• To find more info read our FOG Management Letter.

The accumulation of grease within sanitary sewer collection lines increases the potential to create sewer blockages that can result in wastewater backing up into businesses, homes, or even into the environment.  These are called sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and can result in extensive damage and/or health hazards.

In order to reduce sewer blockages, food service establishments discharging wastewater that contains FOG to the City of Yuma sanitary sewer system, must install and maintain a grease removal device, including traps and interceptors.

Click Here for a guide on cleaning your grease device.

Click Here to see how a grease trap or interceptor works.

All traps and interceptors shall be maintained for continuous, satisfactory, and effective operation by the owner, leaseholder, or operator at their expense.  Best Management Practices or the control of Fats, Oil and Grease (as published by the City of Yuma) shall also be implemented by all establishments that discharge FOG to the City wastewater collection system.

Click Here for a list of service providers that will pump out and clean your grease trap or interceptor.

Click Here for a training log to document that employees have been informed/trained on the Best Management Practices to control Fats, Oils, and Grease.