Grease is seen these days as a semi-solid version of Frankenstein’s monster. When it was invented, its main purpose was to help man in his endeavors that involved machines and watertight containers. But as progress grew, the intended helper “good guy” has transformed into one of the greatest environmental threats in this day and age. One way of combatting this enemy would be, Using enzymes to degrade grease.
One of the largest contributors to the ongoing and worsening FOG crisis is the food industry. In the United States, food is not only a necessity or a basic need but also a means to share in its cultural diversity. With so many enhanced flavors, Americans could not contain them any longer. That’s why you will find a food establishment in every street corner and in every large shopping or market area. There are even specialty food shops that cater to the more complicated tastes. Whatever the form or theme, food companies produce FOG and when the FOG levels are not maintained and monitored.
The US Federal government has come up with a grease ordinance that’s being strictly implemented. The ordinance is for protecting the pipelines and the wastewater treatment facility. Food company owners are ordered to install an appropriately-sized grease trap for their businesses. The grease trap should have a permit and should be maintained well by regular clean ups. It should also be regularly inspected to make sure that the grease level doesn’t go beyond what’s recommended.
When there is FOG overflow, health and environmental problems overwhelm the directly affected areas. Individuals with compromised immunity have a high risk of getting diseases and conditions from the untreated effluent they come in contact with. Environmental problems such as contamination of water systems pose as a fatal threat to everyone in the area. FOG takes a ride with the wastewater in the pipelines and solidifies in them. As you may already know, when this happens, FOG accumulates in the walls of the sewer pipes until it completely blocks the pathway towards the wastewater treatment facility.
There are still many food companies that practice using enzymes to degrade grease. Enzymes are components of any living organism. They are the so-called catalysts that accelerate the breakdown and absorption of vital nutrients. The same idea is used in grease traps. Enzymes are added into cleaning solutions or additives so that they could destroy the solid wastes and grease that have accumulated in the grease trap. But to everyone’s disappointment, enzymes are just like chemicals that merely emulsify the FOG, making it easy to get incorporated into the wastewater. The FOG flows with the wastewater inside the pipelines. Eventually, the FOG hardens there and over time, completely blocks the entire pipeline.
Wastewater backflow happens and this brings various environmental and health problems in every state.
Even if the FOG crisis is getting much more complicated, there are still food companies that use enzyme additives in cleaning their grease traps. As a result, they had their grease traps cleaned up more than once a week, which is very costly. The company owners really have no choice. Even if the enzyme additives cause this problem, many companies still believe the exaggerations of their manufacturers. But using enzymes to degrade grease is really no good like the harsh chemicals that also promise the same thing. Enzymes merely emulsify the FOG and make it easier to combine with the wastewater as it travels through the pipes that lead to the wastewater treatment plant. There, the FOG solidifies and clogs the pathway of the wastewater. Wastewater then backs up and contaminates the food establishments. Environmental and health threats take the floor.
Bacteria are the only safest and quickest solution to the FOG crisis. These pre-historic, simple microorganisms efficiently digest the solid wastes and the FOG that have accumulated in the grease trap. They convert the unwanted substances into less harmful forms. Bioaugmentation uses a selected strain to eliminate the contaminants including FOG. Bioremediation uses non-pathogenic bacteria in transforming FOG into less dangerous forms. Bacteria are truly the best organic helpers to counter the FOG crisis at any given time.