Fats, Oils, & Grease Program FAQs

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) is a byproduct of cooking and meat cutting.  FOG can be found in meat fats, oils, shortening, butter, margarine, sauces, and dairy products.

FOG accumulates in sewer pipes and causes blockages.  Grease blockages cause sewer overflows and basement backups.  Restaurants and other food service establishments can be closed down due to blockages and backups.  Restaurants and other food service establishments can also be held financially responsible for damages resulting from blockages and backups.

WSSC Water Regulations require grease abatement.  In accordance with Federal Environmental Protection Agency requirements, WSSC Water is campaigning to control the discharge of FOG to the sewer system.  In addition to reaching out to customers and advising them how to properly manage FOG, we are increasing our regulation of food service establishments.  All food service establishments will receive regular inspections and will be required to obtain a Food Service Establishment Wastewater Discharge Permit in order to operate

WSSC Water’s team of FOG Investigators will inspect the sewer system for grease accumulation.  They will verify that the food service establishment is implementing Best Management Practices (Español) for controlling FOG.  The grease abatement system will be inspected to verify that it is adequately sized for the connected fixtures, that it is being properly maintained, and that it is in operating condition.  If no grease abatement system is present, the food service establishment may be required to install one.

Restaurants, cafeterias, hotel kitchens, church kitchens, hospital cafeterias, bars, and any other commercial or industrial operation that discharges wastewater that contains FOG.

Permits can be obtained by simply complete an electronic permit application.

Learn more about the FOG Permitting program.

Once you have submitted your permit application electronically, you will receive an email that your permit has been submitted. After your application has been processed, you will receive another email stating that your permit has been issued. You will follow the steps in the second email to open and print your permit to be posted at your facility.

Contact for questions:

FOG Program
301-206-8811

Yes. All permitted food service establishments will be assessed an annual discharge fee. The fee will be reassessed annually on the anniversary of the permit issuance date.