19F - RECEIVE AND FILE SEWER SYSTEM

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Answers to questions about... Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Public Education Outreach Program Background The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) is the third largest publicly owned wastewater treatment agency west of the Mississippi River. OCSD treats an average of 243 million gallons of sewage per day from 2.5 million people and approximately 1,000 businesses and industries in central, north and west Orange County. OCSD operates two treatment plants, one in Fountain Valley and one in Huntington Beach, California. In OCSD's 471 square mile service area, sewage from 21 cities, three special districts and some unincorporated areas of Orange County are transported to OCSD through 12,000 miles of sewer pipelines. Problem When large volumes of fats, oils or grease (FOG) enter sewer pipes, they solidify and accumulate, resulting in narrowing of the pipe's internal opening. Eventually the inside of the pipe can become completely clogged, causing sewage to back up into homes and businesses, or onto the streets and into storm drains that lead to the ocean. Such spills are unhealthy, harm the environment, and can be expensive to clean up. In the case of food service establishments such as restaurants, they can also lead to fines and business closures. The problem is simply that people have been putting fats, oils and grease down their drains and garbage disposals. That has to stop. The drain is not a dump. FOG Public Education Outreach Program The State of California's Regional Water Quality Control Board for the Santa Ana Region has issued an order (No. R8-2002-0014) to local cities and sewer districts to begin controlling the release of fats, oils and grease (FOG) into the sewer system from food service establishments, homes and businesses. This FOG Public Education Outreach Program is a joint effort undertaken by 22 cities and districts to inform food service establishments, residents and businesses about the problems fats, oils and grease can cause in the sewer system, and to teach better ways to dispose of these materials. The Orange County Sanitation District coordinated the production of the educational materials. Program Participants City of Anaheim City of Newport Beach City of Brea City of Orange City of Buena Park County of Orange City of Cypress Orange County Sanitation District El Toro Water District City of Placentia City of Fullerton Rossmoor/Los Alamitos Area Sewer District Garden Grove Sanitary District City of Santa Ana City of Huntington Beach City of Seal Beach Irvine Ranch Water District City of Stanton City of La Habra City of Yorba Linda Midway City Sanitary District Yorba Linda Water District ...continued on other side 19F-266 OCS D/021508/FOG_fa ctsheet.Gdr page 1