Clarksville Gas and Water has identified improper disposal of fats, oils and grease (FOG) as a major cause of damaging and costly sewer overflows in our sewer collection system. We address the issue with our proven FOG program. The FOG program is a preventative measure to reduce or eliminate improper disposal of FOG into our sanitary sewer system and to protect the public from the possibility of contamination or pollution from grease related problems in accordance with the City of Clarksville Ordinance 26-2008-09, Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Ordinance (PDF).
How Residents Can Help
At home, you can help prevent FOG from entering the sewer system by putting used grease and food wastes in a can to cool before disposing in the garbage instead of in household drains. Always follow the important tips listed and please share them with your family and friends!
- Never pour any cooking oils or grease into your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, toilet or any other household or outdoor drain.
- Pour all used cooking oils and grease into a small container to cool and harden. When the container is full, cover it tightly and place it in a bag to prevent leakage, then dispose of it in the garbage.
- Scrape or use paper towels to wipe off any food scraps or grease from pots, pans and plates into the garbage before washing them in the sink or dishwasher.
- Minimize the use of kitchen sink garbage grinders/disposals. Ground food particles and grease will still clog your pipes and affect the downstream sewer system.
Holiday Season Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Discharge Prevention
The holidays are a special time of year to celebrate with food, family and friends! It’s also the time of year, November through January, when we document an increase in sewer obstructions related to FOG. These obstructions often result in inconvenient, messy and costly sewer overflows.
Don’t let a sewer backup spoil your holidays! Always discard food scraps and FOG in the garbage and not in your household drains! Please call the grease management office at 931-553-2489 for more information about the FOG program.
Responsibility of Food Service Establishments & Commercial/Industrial Facilities
The City of Clarksville Ordinance 26-2008-09, Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Ordinance (PDF) requires food service establishments and commercial and industrial facilities to install and maintain certified grease control equipment such as grease interceptors and grease traps, enforce sewer overflow preventative measures and help reduce the sewer system operational costs of the City in accordance with the ordinance.
Clarksville Gas and Water routinely inspects grease interceptors, traps and cleaning and maintenance records. Violators may incur penalties, fees and possible termination of water service.