The Hidden Cost of FOG Build-Up: How Much Is Fat, Oil & Grease Really Costing Your Facility?

When you wash greasy dishes, rinse a pan, or pour leftover cooking oil down the drain, it’s easy to assume it simply “goes away.” But fats, oils, and grease—known as FOG—don’t just disappear. Whether in a home septic system, restaurant kitchen, food processing plant, or municipal wastewater network, FOG builds up over time and can cause major (and expensive) problems.

FOG doesn’t dissolve in water. Instead, it cools, hardens, and sticks to the inside of pipes and system components—much like butter solidifies in the fridge. Over time, this buildup leads to:

• Slow drains and backups
• Odours and sanitation issues
• Septic and wastewater system failures
• Emergency pump-outs and costly repairs

And while homeowners feel the impact on a small scale, the financial burden for commercial kitchens, industrial facilities, and municipalities can be massive.

This blog explores the true cost of FOG build-up, why effective FOG removal matters, and how proactive prevention protects systems, budgets, and the environment.

What Is FOG and Why Is It a Problem?

FOG is an industry term for fats, oils, and grease—substances that enter wastewater and septic systems from everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, and food processing. FOG comes from:

• Cooking oils and grease
• Meat fats and dairy products
• Sauces, dressings, gravies, and butter
• Food scraps and residues washed down sinks
• Industrial and food-processing wastewater

Over time, this buildup:

• Reduces flow capacity in pipes and lines
• Causes blockages and backups
• Increases odours and sanitation concerns
• Interferes with biological treatment processes
• Contributes to sludge, scum layers, and foaming issues

As FOG accumulates, systems become less efficient and more prone to failure. While many view it as a minor nuisance, the consequences can be significant—especially when ignored.

The Hidden Costs of FOG Build-Up

Most people only consider the visible problems caused by FOG—slow drains, foul smells, or the inconvenience of a backed-up system. But the real cost of FOG build-up is much deeper and affects homes, businesses, and entire communities.

Costs for Homeowners and Septic System Users

For households with septic systems, FOG is one of the top contributors to premature system failure. When grease accumulates in a septic tank, it creates a thick scum layer and disrupts the natural breakdown process.

Common homeowner costs include:

• Unexpected pump-outs
• Plumber call-outs for clogged lines
• Drain field repairs
• Septic system replacement in severe cases

A full septic system replacement can cost $15,000 – $30,000+, making prevention far more cost-effective than repairs.

Costs for Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens

Restaurants, cafés, institutional kitchens, and food service establishments produce high amounts of FOG. If mismanaged, this can quickly overwhelm grease traps and plumbing.

Hidden expenses include:

• Frequent grease trap pumping
• Emergency plumbing services
• Downtime or kitchen shutdowns
• Fines for non-compliance with local FOG bylaws
• Loss of reputation due to odour or hygiene complaints

Even one kitchen shutdown can cost thousands in lost revenue and labour.

Costs for Industrial Facilities

Food processing manufacturers—such as dairy, meat, poultry, and cheese plants—face amplified challenges due to high-strength wastewater.

FOG buildup contributes to:

• Excess sludge and costly disposal
• Increased BOD and COD
• Overloaded treatment systems
• Higher energy and chemical costs
• Difficulty meeting environmental discharge limits

In some cases, failing compliance tests can result in fines or forced upgrades to treatment infrastructure.

Costs for Municipalities and Wastewater Treatment Plants

Municipalities deal with FOG on a large scale, and taxpayers ultimately bear the cost.

FOG-related municipal expenses include:

• Sewer line blockages and overflows
• Lift station and pump repairs
• Lagoon and plant maintenance
• Additional labour and equipment
• Environmental fines and remediation

The U.S. EPA estimates that FOG causes nearly half of all sewer backups and overflows, many of which are preventable with proactive treatment.

The Environmental Impact of FOG Build-Up

Beyond financial costs, FOG build-up also impacts the environment. When sewer systems overflow or septic systems fail, untreated wastewater can contaminate soil, groundwater, rivers, and lakes.

Environmental consequences include:

• Harm to aquatic life and ecosystems
• Increased nutrient loading (leading to algae growth)
• Contamination of drinking water sources
• Public health concerns due to bacteria and pathogens

FOG blockages also increase the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment, as more equipment, chemical use, and energy are needed to correct preventable issues.

Reducing FOG build-up is not only a cost-saving measure—it’s a step toward environmental stewardship and community health.

A Proactive Approach to FOG Removal

The most effective way to manage FOG is through proactive prevention and biological treatment, rather than reacting once a problem appears.

A strong FOG prevention plan includes:

• Proper disposal and education (not pouring grease down drains)
• Regular system maintenance and inspections
• Biological treatment solutions to break down FOG at the source such as FOG Reducer

Natural Septic Tank Additive is an effective product to use as part of your regular septic system maintenance to increase microbial populations and accelerate the natural (biological) process within your septic system and drain field and degrade grease.

Unlike chemical degreasers, biological FOG treatments use beneficial microorganisms and enzymes to digest fats, oils, and grease—breaking them down into water and harmless by-products. This prevents re-solidification and long-term build-up.

How Biological FOG Treatment Works

Biological products contain carefully selected strains of bacteria that naturally feed on FOG. When introduced into a system, they work to:

• Loosen and liquefy heavy grease deposits
• Break down FOG into simpler compounds
• Reduce sludge build-up
• Improve wastewater treatment performance
• Minimize odours, scum, and foam

This process not only removes existing FOG but helps prevent future accumulation.

ESFR FOG Reducer: A Biological Solution

One of the most effective biological FOG treatment products on the market is FOG Reducer—formulated to accelerate the breakdown of fats, oils, and grease in septic systems, lagoons, holding tanks, food processing wastewater, and municipal treatment systems.

FOG Reducer helps to:

• Reduce accumulation of grease and fat deposits
• Improve system efficiency and capacity
• Minimize odours and foam
• Enhance BOD and COD removal
• Lower sludge production
• Improve sludge settling and reduce filamentous growth

Learn more about FOG Reducer here.

Read about how FOG Reducer and Micro Nutrient Bio-Stimulant were used on this wastewater lagoon in our blog, "Case Study: ESFR - FOG (Fat, Oil & Grease) Reducer on Wastewater Lagoon."

Conclusion

FOG build-up is more than just a plumbing inconvenience—it’s a costly and preventable issue affecting homeowners, businesses, and entire communities. Whether you’re caring for a household septic system, running a commercial kitchen, managing an industrial facility, or operating a municipal wastewater plant, proactive FOG management can:

• Extend the lifespan of wastewater infrastructure
• Prevent breakdowns and emergency repairs
• Reduce maintenance and operating costs
• Support environmental and public health
• Improve overall treatment system performance

Investing in prevention and biological treatment is not only practical—it’s the most cost-effective long-term approach to managing FOG.

Ready to take a proactive approach to FOG removal? Learn more about ESFR FOG Reducer today.

Please contact us for more information via email at info@earth-smart-solutions.com or call us at 1-866-444-7174.