FOG is one of the primary causes of blockages and clogs in sewer collection systems. Dorchester County Water & Sewer requires all commercial food service facilities that discharge food preparation wastewaters into the sewer collection system to have a Grease Interceptor installed prior to operation. This includes restaurants, motels, hotels, cafeterias, bakeries, and schools. Grease Interceptors should be properly maintained and continuously kept in satisfactory and effective operation by the owner at their expense.

Fats, Oil, and Grease don’t belong in the drain. FOG that has been poured down the drain hardens, and causes sewer pipes to clog, leading to sanitary sewer overflow (SSO)—raw sewage backing up into your home, lawn, neighborhood, and streets. The unsanitary conditions can cause health issues and it can run into a nearby stream or river, which affects our drinking water. Grease build-up can cause clogs that are costly to fix—and is done so at the expense of the owner.

Any wastewater containing fats, oils, or grease (FOG) of an animal or vegetable origin in excess of one hundred (100mg/liter), or any flammable wastes, and grit, or other harmful ingredients being discharged into the wastewater system without prior approval of the Dorchester County Water & Sewer Department is prohibited.

Residents should follow Dorchester County Water & Sewer FOG guidelines to ensure that plumbing and sewer lines remain grease-free.

FOG includes more than just excess bacon grease or cooking oil. Common sources of FOG include milk, butter, salad dressings, mayonnaise, ice cream, and meat fats.

FOG Do’s and Don’ts

• Don’t pour grease or oil down any drain. This includes sinks, showers, and toilets.
• Don’t dump grease or oil on the ground. It can find its way into the natural waterways, harming fish and other aquatic life.
• Do scrape or wipe all pots, pans, and dishes before washing
• Do pour excess grease and oil into a disposal container. Once cool, dispose of it in the garbage or take it to one of twelve convenience sites in Dorchester County where it can be recycled.

Refer to Division 16 of the Dorchester County Water & Sewer Ordinance for more information regarding the Department's FOG Program.

Best Practices For Grease Management

FOG BMP Compliance for Food Service Establishments & Waste Haulers

Dorchester County provides both the food service establishments (FSE) and F.O.G. waste haulers free access to our online F.O.G. compliance portal FOG BMP. FOG BMP provides a centralized platform with interactive tools that can be used by municipal regulator, FSE, and waste haulers to ensure FOG Control objectives are continually met. Please see the information below to enroll if you have not done so already.  

F.O.G. Waste Haulers

All waste haulers servicing grease interceptors within Dorchester County are expected to submit the cleaning records through our online portal within Dorchester County’s FOG BMP platform. The service is provided to you at no charge; all cleanings are automatically rescheduled and assigned a new due date with each cleaning record submission. This allows Dorchester County to ensure every FSE is being serviced on a regular basis and in a timely manner.

If you are not already enrolled in Dorchester County’s F.O.G. BMP program as a waste hauler, please submit the requested information below to waterandsewer@dorchestercountysc.gov.

• Name of Waste Hauler Company
• Street Address
• City
• State
• ZIP
• Contact First Name
• Contact Last Name
• Contact Email

Once the county receives your submission, you will be issued a welcome email with login credentials.

Food Service Establishment Representatives

Dorchester County provides every FSE access to our online compliance portal FOG BMP. When you log in you can see your facility’s cleaning records, inspection records, communications, printable signs, and staff training videos. Additionally, you will receive alerts via email if there are any compliance issues occurring with your facility.

If you are not enroll in Dorchester County’s F.O.G. BMP program as a FSE representative, please submit the requested information below to waterandsewer@dorchestercountysc.gov.

• Name of food service establishment
• Street Address
• City
• State
• ZIP
• Contact First Name
• Contact Last Name
• Contact Email

Once the county receives your submission, you will be issued a welcome email with login credentials.

FOG BMP Login Link: https://app.fogbmp.com/login

How to Find a Waste Hauler/Pumper in Your Area:

All food service establishments (FSE) shall utilize a DHEC-licensed waste hauler/pumper to pump out and completely remove all contents, including floating materials, wastewater and bottom sludge and solids from both chambers of the interceptor.  (Grease interceptor cleaning shall include scraping excessive solids from the walls, floors, baffles and all pipe.)

To find a DHEC-licensed pumper please visit DHEC Septic Tanks. 

At the top left, please click Find a Septic Contractor which will bring up an interactive map with all of DHEC’s licensees related to septic systems.

Don't Waste Food SC

40% of the food supply in the United States is never consumed, costing $218 billion in wasted food and resources! This waste occurs while more than 41 million Americans are food insecure.

Dorchester County is working with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and several other organizations to reduce the amount of food waste. We want to reduce the amount of food waste in SC in half by 2030, so Dorchester County is now a Don't Waste Food SC (DWFSC) Ambassador!