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Household Waste: Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG)

Wastewater is used water and waste discharged by a community’s residents and businesses. It is collected from the drains of sinks, showers, toilets and laundry facilities and flows into wastewater lines or collection systems. From the wastewater lines, sewage is then transported to the Trinity Regional Authority (TRA) facility for treatment.

Wastewater back-up is when sewage collection lines get clogged by items flushed down toilets and drains, especially Fats, Rags, Oil and Grease (FROG). In addition to the costly repairs, wastewater back-ups are messy, foul-smelling and pose a serious public health threat. FROG disposed of down the toilet or drain can clog wastewater collection systems, damage pumps in lift stations and damage wastewater treatments facilities, which leads to wastewater spills. These items also can contaminate the treated water that is discharged into the rivers, streams and groundwater.


Cities and homeowners spend millions of dollars every year unplugging or replacing grease-blocked pipes, repairing lift stations and cleaning up costly and illegal wastewater spills. Excessive FROG in the wastewater system also affects local wastewater rates. Keeping FROG out of the wastewater system helps everyone in the community.


Proper Disposal Tips:
  1. Throw diapers, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, rags, cleaning wipes and paper towels in the trash.
  2. Freeze small amounts of fats, oils and grease in a container with a tight-sealing lid and dispose of in trash.
  3. Use a strainer in your sink to catch scraps.
  4. Cover drains with fine screen or catch basket.
  5. Bring your used cooking oil in their original containers to Water Utilities at 333 Valley View Lane, Irving Texas, 75061. Place receptacles in the yellow cage near the flag poles.
  6. Large amounts of cooking oil and grease need to be properly disposed of. More information regarding special waste pickup can be found here.


Never flush the following items down the toilet or drain:

  1. Disposable diapers and baby wipes; facial wipes; rags; cleaning or polishing wipes, kitty litter, paper towels; wipes and feminine hygiene products.
  2. Cooking oil and grease, bacon grease, meat fats, food scraps, shortening, lard, butter, margarine, gravy and other food products such as mayonnaise, salad dressings and sour cream.
  3. Acidic or toxic substances, including paint and paint thinners.
  4. Motor oil.
  5. Dye (hair and clothing) and tanning solutions.
  6. Anything radioactive.
  7. Flammable products, such as lighter fluid and acetone.
  8. Any solid waste that does not naturally break down, including garbage, plastic bags and cigarette butts.