Grease Interceptors (Traps)
FOG stands for Fats, Oils and Grease, all of which can severely damage your sanitary sewer system. FOG includes animal and vegetable fats, as well as oils used to cook and prepare food. When FOG enter the sewer lines, it cools, solidifies and sticks to the insides of the pipes, trapping food particles and other debris. Over time, this solid mass continues to grow until it obstructs the flow of wastewater and causes sewage to back up. The easiest way to solve this problem is to prevent FOG from entering the sewer system.
Food Service Establishments and Food Processing Facilities use or produce large volumes of FOG and pose the biggest threat for blockage problems in their service and/or the District's sanitary system. Because of the threat all new restaurants and/or food processing facilities shall be equipped with a grease interceptor for kitchen waste only.
A copy of the districts rules and regulations relating to grease interceptors (traps)
can be downloaded by clicking on the following word document:
Type and Size
The rules and regulations specify the size and type of grease interceptors that must be installed, but the Superintendent will review requests for exceptions because it is important that the correct size and type of interceptor is installed to meet the facility requirements. This will ensure that the facility and the District's systems are protected. Requests for exceptions to the rules and regulations must be submitted to the Superintendent in writing. The request must included the type and size of the proposed grease interreceptor and state what will be connected to it. The proposal must be signed by a person certified to design and size grease interceptors.
Grease Interceptor Maintenance & Reporting
Grease interceptors are only as good as they are maintained. In maintaining these interceptors, the owner(s) shall be responsible for the proper removal and disposal by appropriate and lawful means of the captured material and shall maintain records of the contractors, dates, and means of disposal to include removal and hauling of the collected materials not performed by currently licensed waste disposal locations. Grease traps shall be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s recommended frequency (e.g. weekly, monthly, etc.). It is mandatory that the owner(s) forward a copy of these removal and disposal records [copy of waste hauler’s invoice] to the Superintendent for his review not less than twice a year (semi-annually). If grease in any amount is found to be entering the public sewer, the Superintendent may require removal and disposal of captured materials and records provided on a more frequent basis.