The relationship between Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) deposits in building drainage systems and FOG disposal patterns

Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) deposits are an important contributor to blockages of building drainage systems. Such blockages bring along undesirable financial, health and environmental costs, and thereby burden society. It is unclear to what extent the behavior of inhabitants, and more precisely domestic FOG disposal, affects the occurrence of FOG blockages. For this study, samples of FOG blockages were collected from building drainage systems (kitchen drains and lateral house connections). Questionnaires were conducted to reveal information about FOG disposal patterns. The results showed that the deposits were calcium salts of fatty acids. Dissimilarities between the network locations demonstrate that, even at short distance, in-sewer transformation processes occur. Three households showed a clear link between the type of cooking oils used and the type of deposits collected.