Hermiston council considers FOG ordinance
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – The Hermiston City Council will consider implementing a fats, oil, and grease permitting process to commercial sewer users at its meeting at 7 p.m. today (Tuesday). The council shifted its normal meeting from Monday due to Veterans Day.
Fats, oil, and grease – referred to as FOG – is a major problem for sewer systems. If discharged into the sewer, they solidify and create blockages which end up damaging the system and potentially causing overflows on streets or into other homes elsewhere on the system.
In addition to charging the appropriate commercial sewer users a flat fee of $3.62 a month, the users would also be required to install and maintain grease traps. Staff estimates that of the nearly 6,000 commercial sewer customers, there will be about 60 to 80 customers who will be required to obtain a FOG permit. That includes establishments such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and car washes.
Hermiston currently dedicates two workers and equipment to clean bad lines for two weeks each month. The sewer department spends $149,000 a year cleaning lines. It is anticipated that once the FOG program is fully operational, the amount spent on cleaning the lines will be reduced by 30 percent, according to a staff report. The meeting will be in council chambers of Hermiston City Hall. It will also be streamed on the city’s YouTube channel.
