Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG)
What you should know about our Wastewater Use Ordinance
Big Sky County Water & Sewer District’s Wastewater Use Ordinance (97-100) was originally adopted in 1997 and has been amended multiple times — most recently in March 2023. The recent updates are focused on protecting the District’s wastewater system and the new Water Resource Recovery Facility.
Why FOG matters
FOG (fats, oils, and grease) can build up in sewer lines and cause blockages, backups, and damage to the wastewater system. The updated ordinance is primarily aimed at restaurants and other businesses with commercial kitchens, where FOG can be a significant issue.
Requirements for impacted businesses
For businesses covered under the ordinance:
- A grease trap and/or grease interceptor is now required
- Systems must meet requirements for basic maintenance and inspection
- FOG captured in grease systems must be properly disposed of
What you can do to protect our wastewater system
Everyone can help reduce FOG-related problems with these simple steps:
Scrape it
Scrape food scraps and grease into the trash. Use sink strainers to catch food.
Wipe it
Wipe FOG from pots, pans, and dishes before washing.
Can it
Pour cooled grease into a sealed container.
Dispose of it
Throw sealed containers of FOG into your garbage can — never down the drain.
Cool it
Let grease cool and solidify.
Spot checks & inspections
The District will be contacting and inspecting commercial users to ensure compliance with the ordinance. A standard inspection procedure and schedule is being developed, and some commercial users have already been contacted.
Ordinance information
The full ordinance language can be found in Wastewater Use Ordinance, District Ordinance 97-1001 (Amended March 28, 2023).