May 19, 2026

A Guide to Effective Fat, Oil & Grease Removal in Commercial Food Production

As we move through 2026, the volume of food production in Australia and around the world continues to rise, and with it, the concentration of grease entering our sewer systems. The “old school” approach – relying on passive, gravity-fed grease traps is increasingly insufficient for the demands of modern industry. These traditional pits often fail to capture emulsified fats, allowing them to pass through into the municipal system where they cool, solidify, and create massive “fatbergs” that can paralyse city infrastructure.

The Physics of the Problem

The challenge with FOG is that it doesn’t always stay separated from water. During high-temperature washdowns or through the use of certain surfactants, oils become emulsified. In this state, they won’t simply “float” to the top of a standard tank. They remain suspended in the water column, bypassed by basic filtration, and are only detected once the local water authority issues a “non-compliance” notice based on high BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) or TOG (Total Oil and Grease) levels.

The SWA Solution: Engineering Superiority

At SWA Water, we have spent decades refining the technology required to break these emulsions and strip grease from wastewater with surgical precision. Our approach centres on our world-class wastewater equipment.

SWA Water’s Wastewater Treatment Units

Oil Separator: Our world-leading Corrugated Plate Interceptors (CPI) utilise a “no moving parts” design to efficiently remove free oil from wastewater, reducing concentrations to less than 5ppm with minimal maintenance.

Dissolved Air Flotation Unit (DAF): This high-performance system uses microscopic air bubbles to float and remove fats, oils, and suspended solids, making it the gold standard for wastewater treatment in the food and dairy industries.

Lamella Solid Separators: Designed for high-volume efficiency, these units use a series of inclined plates to provide a large settling area within a small footprint, rapidly removing silt and heavy sediments from industrial runoff.

Hybrid CPI/DAF Unit: By combining the high-volume gravity separation of a CPI with the precision of a DAF system, this unit offers the “best of both worlds”: it removes bulk free oil and heavy sediment instantly while simultaneously using air flotation to strip away the stubborn, emulsified fats that standard separators miss.

Beyond Compliance: Turning Waste into Value

The modern food processor should view wastewater treatment not as a “drain” on resources, but as a recovery opportunity. SWA’s high-efficiency separators allow for:

Resource Recovery: The grease and solids captured by our DAF units are often high in caloric value. Many of our clients now sell this “waste” to rendering plants or biofuel producers, turning a disposal cost into a secondary revenue stream.

Reduced Surcharges: Water authorities charge heavily based on the “strength” of the waste. By lowering your BOD and suspended solids on-site, you can slash your monthly utility bills by thousands of dollars.

Protection of Capital Assets: By removing FOG at the source, you prevent the gradual “narrowing” of your facility’s internal pipes, reducing the need for high-pressure jetting and emergency plumbing call-outs.

Take Control of Your Waste Stream

Don’t let outdated grease management jeopardise your production schedule or your reputation. SWA Water provides Australian-engineered, world-class equipment designed to handle the toughest FOG challenges in the food industry. Whether you need a standalone separator or a fully integrated turnkey plant, our team is ready to design a solution tailored to your flow rates and fat concentrations.

Would You Like to Know More?

Contact SWA Water today for a comprehensive site audit and custom wastewater treatment proposal.

SWA Water – Australia