Session #15: Grease-Busters: Understanding & Managing FOGs in Wastewater Collection and Treatment

ON DEMAND RECORDING

“Expires Wed Dec 4 2024”

Overview:

Fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) are notorious for causing persistent issues in wastewater systems, from clogging collection pipes to disrupting treatment processes. This session starts by breaking down the science of lipids, exploring their chemical properties and why they pose such challenges in wastewater environments. Attendees will learn how lipids’ hydrophobic nature and structural characteristics lead to blockages, filamentous foaming, and nutrient imbalances. With this foundation, we’ll then delve into biological and enzymatic solutions that effectively target FOGs at their source, offering practical strategies for lift station maintenance, sewer line management, and optimizing wastewater plant performance. By the end, participants will be equipped with both a deeper understanding of FOGs and actionable approaches to address them sustainably.

  

At the completion of this one-hour OJT session, participants will be able to demonstrate the following:

• • • • • Identify and understand the chemical nature of fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) and their impact on wastewater systems.
        • Recognize issues caused by FOGs in collection systems and how they affect downstream wastewater treatment plants.
        • Evaluate the effectiveness of biological and enzymatic products for FOG management in degrading fats and preventing buildup.
        • Apply strategies for maintaining lift stations and sewer lines and reducing FOG-related upsets in treatment plants.
        • Gain insight into nutrient balance and treatment adjustments to prevent filamentous foaming caused by FOGs in wastewater treatment plants.

 

Facilitator: Ray Menard

Our facilitator is Ray Menard, managing partner and co-founder of ACC Water Solutions Inc.  Ray has over a decade of experience with recirculatory aquaculture, raw water, stormwater, wastewater, and surface water environments like lakes and ponds. Ray focuses the ACC Wastewater Solutions division on science-led solutions for wastewater professionals, supplying microbial, biocatalyst, and chemical products across Canada for optimized wastewater management outcomes.  Ray is enrolled in his MSc of Environmental Practice at Royal Roads and is a partner in family-owned Smoky Trout Farm Ltd., Alberta’s largest commercial cold water aquaculture facility.

 

Logistics:
These 1-hour virtual sessions are offered every alternate Thursday starting at 2:00 pm.  Sessions are complimentary to all OMWA members and the fee for non-members is $30.00 CAD plus HST per person per session.

Questions:
If you have any specific questions regarding this OJT session, please feel free to submit them when you register and we will provide them to the workshop facilitator.

The OMWA will provide a certificate recognizing participation in these On the Job Training sessions. Attendance may also qualify as a Continuing Knowledge Activity for the PEO PEAK program