Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) come from cooking, food preparation, and even some household and industrial products like motor oil and lotions. When these substances go down the drain, they can stick to the inside of sewer pipes, harden, and build up over time. This buildup can clog pipes, causing backups in homes and businesses and even leading to sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) in the community.

To prevent these problems, the City of Meridian has created a FOG Control Program as part of its larger sewer maintenance plan. The goal is to reduce blockages and to stop SSOs caused by FOG.

Food services establishments (FSEs) like restaurants and cafeterias can be the biggest sources of FOG, homes, apartments complexes, and industrial facilities also contribute when cooking grease or other oily substances are washed down the drain. The FOG Control Program will help prevent these issues by establishing guidelines, policies, and regulations for businesses that generate FOG waste.

Neglecting the city’s sewer system or simply not knowing the harm grease can cause may lead to costly and messy consequences. However, there are simple ways to help. Residents can make a big difference by properly disposing of grease—pouring it into a sealed container instead of down the drain, using grease collection containers, and wiping excess grease from dishes before washing. These small steps can go a long way in keeping our sewer system flowing smoothly.

By working together, businesses and residents can help keep Meridian’s sewer system running efficiently. This program will protect our infrastructure, reduce costly repairs, and prevent sewer overflows.

Implementing this program includes inspecting FSEs. These inspections will be conducted by the City of Meridian’s FOG coordinator or their designee. These inspections are to ensure FSEs are in compliance with Chapter 25 of the City of Meridian’s Code of Ordinances. See the attached Notice of Inspection document below:

• Notice of Facility Inspection

• Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program
• Private Lateral Enforcement and Response Guide (PLERG)
• FOG Management Enforcement and Response Guide (FMERG)
• FMERG Appendices 
• Recently adopted Chapter 25 City Water and Sewer Ordinance
• Gravity Grease Separation Device (GSD) Standards

The FOG BMP (Best Management Practices) Platform is a framework designed to help businesses and residents properly manage fats, oils, and grease (FOG) disposal to prevent sewer blockages and overflows. Key practices include collecting and disposing of grease properly, using grease traps, and avoiding pouring grease down drains.

• Preferred Haulers submit all required FOG program reporting and maintenance documentation for your facility.
• Follow-up inspections will primarily assess the Preferred Hauler’s performance rather than the facility’s compliance.

To be included on this list, haulers should contact the city’s FOG division at fogbmp@meridianms.org to get trained on the City’s new FOG BMP platform.