A workshop on the fats, oils and grease [FOG] program will be held during a special City Council meeting April 15.

The presence of fats, oils and greases in the city’s sewer lines can lead to blockages when the materials solidify. When these blockages occur, it often results in a backup of sewage into businesses or the homes of Ames residents.

These blockages often originate from restaurants that deal with a large amount of waste in the forms of dairy, leftover food particles and oils and sugars. The council will discuss issuing fines for creating blockages and how to best use grease-interceptors to help prevent these blockages.

Car wash facilities are also an area of concern because they can produce large amounts of grit and oil, which are also thought to be detrimental to city sewers. 

The council is proposing an amendment to the current penalty for creating a sewer blockage. Along with a $1,000 fine, which is the current penalty, the responsible party would be responsible for the cost of city clean-up.

The city staff also proposed the creation of a new sewer class that would apply only to food service establishments called “Resturant Rate.”

The council will also hear a presentation on water and sewer rates that will detail the expenses involved with catering to the growing Ames community. The presentation also includes a proposed reinvestment in the infrastructures that support water and sewer utilities. The presentation will be conducted by city staff, and they will discuss using emulsifiers in the water to break up blockages. 

The City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall and is open to the public.