After 12 years of relying on voluntary community self-monitoring for fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and cross-connection (backflow prevention) programs, the city of Fort Dodge is implementing a formal regulatory program to ensure consistent compliance with federal, state, and local requirements designed to protect public infrastructure.

This action follows ongoing issues with insufficient adherence to existing codes.

FOG management systems are a standard component of many commercial operations, including restaurants, automotive repair shops, car washes, hotels and motels, and convenience stores. These systems play a critical role in preventing food-related oils and other byproducts from entering and obstructing wastewater infrastructure.

Similarly, cross-connection control systems are widely used across commercial and large-scale organizational facilities — most commonly in boiler operations and fire-suppression systems–to protect source water quality and ensure regulatory compliance. While residential applications do exist, they are far less common.

Public and private organizations were provided a six-month grace period to register their grease interceptors and cross-connection devices with the city and its designated partner, USW. This transition period was intended to give all entities adequate time to organize, budget, and submit the required documentation. While many organizations have completed registration, a significant number still need to do so and submit associated fees.

Entities that remain unregistered or have outstanding balances after Friday will incur late fees and may see water disconnections.

Registration is available online: https://fortdodgeiaregistration.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/fortdodgeiaregistration

Council-Approved Fees:

Grease Interceptors

$175 per Grease Interceptor (prorated 2025 rate)

$360 per Grease Interceptor (2026 rate; due by July 1, 2026, for those who paid the 2025 prorated rate)

$300 Failure to Register Fee (assessed separately for 2025 and 2026)

Cross-Connection Registration:

$125 for the first unit

$80 for units 2-4

$40 for units 5-24

$300 Failure to Register Fee (assessed separately for 2025 and 2026)

For additional information or direct questions, please contact:

USW

tbrandt@uswatercorp.net

515-227-8695