Mansfield Addressing Fats, Oils, Grease In Sewer Lines

MANSFIELD, MA — After several incidents of sewage backing up into homes in town, the board of health is taking action to address the the amount of fats, oils, and grease in the sewer system.

The board of health launched FOG, which stands for fats, oils, and grease. Under the the FOG initiative, the board of health plans to inspect 78 local food establishments and make sure their infrastructure properly handles these food substances, the Sun Chronicle Reported. According to Health Agent Amy Donovan-Palmer, most newer restaurants have effective systems in place to treat greases and oils before they enter the town's wastewater system, but older restaurants might not. The board of health said FOG will focus on educating restaurants and residents, as well as enforcing regulations already on the books.

Last October, the board of health set new regulations requiring indoor grease traps to be cleaned once a month and outdoor traps once every three months. The new requirement went into effect on Jan. 1. The regulations came after a sewer backed up last September, causing a manhole to fly off. Sewage spewed throughout West Street and into the basements of nearby homes. Town officials told the Sun Chronicle the incident likely happened because of fats and oils clogging the sewer line on Route 106.

For more on this story, check out the Sun Chronicle.

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