Is FOG Getting too Much Blame for Sewer Blockages?

Based on EEC's extensive fats, oils, and grease (FOG) control and sewer system assessment experience, EEC's President, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , was asked by Trenchless Technology Magazine to author an article summarizing many of the FOG control studies conducted by EEC over the past 7 years. The article candidly discusses the tendency that many sewering agencies have to blame a large percentage of their sewer blockages and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) on FOG. However, EEC has discovered that most sewer blockages related to FOG involve other issues that are often not properly assessed, leading to increased long-term maintenance costs and slower reductions in SSOs.

If you have any questions related to the article or EEC's FOG control studies or sewer assessment services, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Featured Projects

Brownfield Development Environmental Support

Industry: Commercial Development

 

EEC provided a variety of environmental support services for Playa Vista, the largest and most visible Brownfield development in the United States. The site totals more than 1,100 acres at an estimated cost in excess of $10 billion. This site was first developed by Hughes Tool Co. in 1941 and is where the famed “Spruce Goose” was constructed.

Project Highlights
  • Soil and groundwater assessment and remediation
  • Air permit compliance
  • Environmental construction activities
  • Dewatering and national pollutant discharge elimination system permit support
  • Community relations
  • High project visibility


Investigation of VOC-Impacted Soil, Soil Vapor, and Groundwater

Industry: Commercial Development

EEC conducted soil, soil vapor, and groundwater investigations at a large commercial property contaminated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exceeding 1,000,000 ppm in soil and 1,000 ppm in groundwater. The investigations included delineation of the lateral and vertical extent of impacted soil and groundwater, and evaluating potential soil vapor intrusion into adjacent properties.

Project Highlights
  • Drilled deep soil borings through multiple aquifers using a sonic drill rig for collection of hydropunch samples\Sealed multiple aquifers during drilling activities so that deeper beneficial use groundwater was not impacted by the contaminated shallow groundwater
  • Collected more than 250 soil samples to assess lateral and vertical extent of tetrachloroethene (PCE)-contaminated soil
  • Installed and collected soil gas samples to evaluate vapor intrusion potential
  • Evaluated risk of vapor intrusion using Johnson and Ettinger (J&E) model
  • Conducted a membrane interface probe (MIP) investigation and demonstrated to the state regulatory agency the optimum interval of VOC contamination for injection of a chemical oxidant


Investigation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Impacted Soil and Groundwater

Industry: Property Management

 

EEC conducted soil and groundwater investigations on an island off the coast of Southern California. The investigations included delineation of the lateral and vertical extent of petroleum hydrocarbon impacted groundwater in an ecologically sensitive area.

Project Highlights
  • Underground storage tank (UST) removal and excavation of petroleum-contaminated soil
  • Installation of a groundwater monitoring well network and initiation of a groundwater monitoring and reporting program
  • Free-product removal
  • Ocean water and pore water sampling to evaluate potential migration to ocean
  • Preparation and submittal of technical reports to the regulatory agency
  • Human health and environmental risk assessment
  • Remedial action plan


Assessment of Chlorinated Solvent-Impacted Site

Industry: Commercial Development

 

EEC performed a site assessment of a commercial shopping center containing multiple source chlorinated solvent release locations associated with former and current dry cleaning operations. EEC assessed and delineated soil, soil vapor, indoor air, and groundwater utilizing vertical and horizontal drilling and indoor air sampling. All assessment activities were conducted in conjunction with ongoing commercial business operations. Assessment activities resulted in the relocation of adjacent resident structures. Multiple phase remediation is currently ongoing.

Project Highlights
  • Multiple media assessment
  • Fast-track assessment implementation
  • Interaction with commercial and residential property owners
  • Vapor modeling and Proposition 65 technical support


Investigation of Lead-Impacted Soil

Industry: Mining / Legal

 

EEC conducted an investigation to determine the aerial distribution of lead-impacted soil and dust throughout several communities in eastern Missouri.  The investigation was conducted using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers to provide real-time data acquisition and was supplemented by the collection of soil samples and dust samples for laboratory analytical testing.

Project Highlights
  • Rapid field screening using XRF analyzers
  • Aerial field mapping and preparation of GIS maps
  • Preparation of presentation material for public meetings
  • Identification of hazardous levels of lead in publicly accessible areas


  • Brownfield Development

  • VOC Investigation

  • Petroleum Hydrocarbon

  • Chlorinated Solvents

  • Lead Investigation

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Office Locations

EECWorld Los Angeles OfficeLos Angeles Area Office
501 Parkcenter Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (714) 667-2300
Fax: (714) 667-2310
EECWorld Mid-Atlantic OfficeMid-Alantic Office
200 Harry S Truman Parkway Suite 330
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 263-2234