§ 90-230.1. Grease management program.
FORT VALLEY UTILITY COMMISSION GREASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Adopted July 9, 2007(a)
Purpose. The purpose of this program is to minimize the introduction of fats, oils, and greases into the city utility commission wastewater collection system by non-domestic kitchen facilities. The main components of the program are the proper sizing, installation, and maintenance of grease interceptors. The administrative and inspection requirements of food service facilities are established herein as well.
(b)
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
FVUC means the Fort Valley Utility Commission.
Domestic wastewater means wastewater from sanitary fixtures such as toilets and urinals.
Food service facility means any facility, which cuts, cooks, bakes, prepares, or serves food, or which disposes of food related wastes.
Garbage grinder means a device that shreds or grinds up solid or semisolid waste materials into smaller portions for discharge into the sanitary sewer.
Grease means a material composed primarily of fats, oil, and grease from animal or vegetable sources. The terms "fats," "oil," and "grease" shall be deemed as grease by definition. The term "grease" may also include petroleum-based products.
Hauler or transporter means one who transfers waste from the site of a user to an approved site for disposal or treatment. The hauler is responsible for assuring that all federal, state and local regulations are followed regarding waste transport.
Interceptor or separator or trap means a device so constructed as to separate, trap, and hold fats, oils, greases, sand, and grit substances from the wastewater discharged by a facility to prevent these substances from entering the sanitary sewer.
Under-sink or inline grease trap means a device placed under or in close proximity to sinks or other facilities likely to discharge grease in an attempt to separate, trap or hold, oil and grease substances to prevent their entry into the sanitary sewer.
User means a source of discharge to the sanitary sewer of the city utility commission.
Waste or wastewater means the liquid and water-carried domestic or industrial wastes from dwellings, commercial establishments, industrial facilities, and institutions, whether treated or untreated, contributed to the sanitary sewer.
(c)
General criteria.
(1)
Installation requirements for new food service facilities. All proposed or newly remodeled food service facilities inside the city utility commission wastewater service area shall be required to install an approved, properly operated and maintained grease interceptor. All interceptor units shall be installed outdoors of the food service facility building unless the user can demonstrate to the city utility commission that an outdoor interceptor would not be feasible. All interceptor units shall be of the type and capacity approved by the city utility commission.
(2)
Requirements for existing food service facilities. All existing food service facilities inside the city utility commission wastewater service area are expected to conduct their operations in such a manner that grease is captured on the user's premises and then properly disposed. Existing food service facilities will be handled under the city utility commission's grease management program in the following manner:
a.
The city utility commission will periodically inspect each food service facility on an as-needed basis to assure that each facility is complying with the intent of the grease control program. The as-needed inspection shall be determined by the city utility commission.
b.
Each food service facility in the vicinity of any problem areas will be inspected. The facilities' grease control practices and the adequacy of their grease control interceptor/equipment will be assessed. Maintenance records will also be reviewed.
c.
Following the inspections, the city utility commission will send written notice to the inspected food service facilities, containing a summary of the policy requirements, and the results of the inspection. The inspections will typically result in one of the following actions:
1.
Facilities equipped with an appropriate and adequately sized grease interceptor who are meeting the intent of the grease management program through effective grease control practices will be commended for their compliance.
2.
After notice and an opportunity to be heard, facilities not in compliance shall be required to develop and submit to the city utility commission a proposed plan designed to achieve compliance through improved housekeeping and/or increased maintenance and pumping of the existing grease interceptor/equipment.
3.
Facilities that are not successful in achieving compliance with the intent of the grease management program through improved housekeeping and increased maintenance and pumping of the existing grease interceptor/equipment will be required to install the necessary interceptor/equipment to bring the facility into compliance.
(3)
Prohibited discharges. Domestic wastewater shall not be discharged to the grease interceptor unless specifically approved, in writing, by the city utility commission.
(4)
Floor drains. Only floor drains which discharge or have the potential to discharge grease shall be connected to a grease interceptor.
(5)
Location. Each grease interceptor shall be installed and connected so that it is easily accessible for inspection, cleaning, and removal of the intercepted grease at anytime. Grease interceptors required under this article shall be installed outdoors of the food service facility. The best location is in an area outside of an exterior wall, but upstream from the domestic wastewater drain lines. A grease interceptor may not be installed inside any part of a building unless approved in writing by the city utility commission. The user bears the burden of demonstrating that an outdoor grease interceptor is not feasible.
(d)
Design criteria.
(1)
Construction of interceptors. Grease interceptors shall be constructed in accordance with the city plumbing standards and outdoor units shall have a minimum of two compartments with fittings designed for grease retention. All alternative grease removal devices or technologies shall be subject to the written approval of the city utility commission. Such approval shall be based on demonstrated removal efficiencies of the proposed technology.
(2)
Access. Outdoor grease interceptors shall be provided with two manholes terminating 1-inch above finished grade with cast iron frame and cover. All grease interceptors shall be designed and installed to allow for complete access for inspection and maintenance of inner chambers as well as viewing and sampling of wastewater discharged to the sanitary sewer.
(3)
Load-bearing capacity. In areas where additional weight loads may exist, the grease interceptor shall be designed to have adequate load-bearing capacity (example: vehicular traffic in parking or driving areas).
(4)
Inlet and outlet piping. Wastewater discharging to the grease interceptor shall enter only through the inlet pipe of the interceptor. The inlet pipe bottom tee branch shall extend one foot below liquid level. The outlet pipe bottom tee branch shall be submerged to two-thirds of the liquid depth. Each grease interceptor shall have only one inlet and one outlet pipe.
(5)
Interceptor sizing.
a.
Outdoor grease interceptors shall not have a capacity of less than 1,500 gallons nor exceed a capacity of 3,000 gallons. No matter what the calculated capacity using the following formulas, the minimum interceptor size shall be 1,500 gallons. If the calculated capacity using one of the following formulas exceeds 3,000 gallons, then multiple units in series shall be installed. The size of a grease interceptor shall be approximated by the following methods and grease interceptor size shall be the larger of the two results.
1.
Interceptor capacity (gallons) = (S) × (25) × (Hr/12).
S = Number of Seats
Hr = Maximum hours of daily operation
(Include preparation & clean up)2.
Interceptor capacity (gallons) = (Sum of fixture flows) × (20).
Type of Fixture Flow Rate
(gpm)Restaurant hand sink 15 Pre-rinse sink 15 Single-compartment sink 20 Double-compartment sink 25 Two double-compartment sinks 35 Dishwasher up to 30 gallons 15 Dishwasher up to 50 gallons 25 Dishwasher up to 100 gallons 40 Other fixture Manufacturer peak b.
Under-sink or in-line grease interceptor requirements shall meet Plumbing and Drainage Institute Standard PDI-G101:
Type of Fixture Flow
Rate
(gpm)Grease Retention Capacity
(lbs)Restaurant hand sink 15 30 Pre-rinse sink 15 30 Single-compartment sink 20 40 Double-compartment sink 25 50 Two double-compartment sinks 35 70 Dishwasher up to 30 gallons 15 30 Dishwasher up to 50 gallons 25 50 Dishwasher up to 100 gallons 40 80 Other fixture Manufacturer peak gpm × 2 c.
Grease interceptor designs represent minimum standards for normal usage. Installations with heavier usage require more stringent measures for which the user is responsible and shall pay the costs to provide additional measures if required by the city utility commission. The city utility commission reserves the right to evaluate interceptor sizing on an individual basis for facilities with special conditions, such as highly variable flows, high levels of grease discharge, or other unusual situations that are not adequately addressed by the formula.
(e)
Grease interceptor maintenance.
(1)
Pumping. All grease interceptors shall be maintained by the user at the user's expense. Maintenance shall include the complete removal of all contents, including floating materials, wastewater, and bottom sludges and solids. Decanting or discharging of removed waste back into the interceptor from which the waste was removed or any other grease interceptor, for the purpose of reducing the volume to be disposed, is strictly prohibited.
(2)
Pumping frequency. Outdoor grease interceptors must be pumped out completely a minimum of once every three months. Under-sink or in-line grease interceptors must be pumped/cleaned out completely a minimum of once every month. Grease interceptors may need to be pumped more frequently as needed to prevent carry over of grease into the sanitary sewer collection system. Pumping frequency may be extended past the minimum period if it can be demonstrated by the user and approved by the city utility commission.
(3)
Pump out order. When the oil and grease concentrations exceed the city utility commission's maximum discharge limits and/or the combined depth of bottom and top solids exceeds 33 percent of the total depth of the trap, the city utility commission will issue a pump out order to the user. The user shall have seven days from receipt of the order to comply. Where an emergency exists, a written or verbal warning shall be given to the user, and the user will have 24 hours to comply.
(4)
Disposal of interceptor pumped material. All waste removed from each grease interceptor shall be recorded on a proper manifest form. Also, all waste removed from each grease interceptor must be disposed at a facility approved by the city utility commission to receive such waste in accordance with the provisions of this program. In no way shall the pumped material be returned to any private or public portion of the sanitary sewer collection system.
(5)
Additives. Any additives placed into the grease interceptor or building discharge line system on a constant, regular, or scheduled basis shall be reported to the city utility commission. Such additives shall include, but are not be limited to, commercially available bacteria or other additives designed to absorb, consume, or treat fats, oils, and grease. The use of additives shall in no way be considered as an alternative technology or a substitution for maintenance procedures required herein.
(6)
Chemical treatment. Chemical treatments such as drain cleaners, enzymes, acids, and other chemicals designed to dissolve, purge, or remove grease shall not be allowed to enter the grease interceptor.
(f)
Administrative requirements.
(1)
Initial data acquisition. All food service facilities will be asked to complete a data sheet to establish the grease interceptor database. A copy of the form has been attached to this document as appendix A. The city utility commission database will be updated with additional or modified information after each yearly inspection.
(2)
Administrative fees. No fee will be charged for an annual inspection by the city utility commission. However, if the user's grease interceptor is not in compliance with this section, a $100.00 re-inspection fee will be charged for each inspection thereafter until compliance is achieved.
(3)
Inspection and entry. Authorized personnel of the city utility commission, bearing proper credentials and identification, shall have the right to enter upon all properties subject to this program, at any time and without prior notification, for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, testing or record review, as part of this program.
(4)
Record retention and reporting. All users must keep a record of any cleaning or maintenance of their grease interceptor. The following records must be kept on-site at the food service facility for a period of two years:
a.
Manifests are required for all grease interceptors and shall contain the following information:
1.
Food service facility (generator) information, including name, address, volume pumped, date and time of pumping, and generator signature verifying the information;
2.
Transporter information, including company name, address, license plate number, permit number, driver name, and driver signature verifying transporter information; and
3.
Receiving information, including facility name, address, date and time of receiving, EPD permit number, and signature verifying receipt of the waste.
4.
Manifests must be mailed, faxed, or electronically submitted to the city utility commission wastewater superintendent's office within 14 days of interceptor maintenance.
5.
A manifest may not be required for under-sink or inline grease interceptors, if user can demonstrate to the city utility commission a valid reason not to use one.
b.
Maintenance logs are required for all under-sink and in-line interceptors. This log shall include the date, time, amount pumped or cleaned, hauler, disposal site, and signature. Log shall be kept in a conspicuous location for inspection. This log shall be made immediately available to health officer or the city utility commission representative upon request. See Appendix B for an example.
(g)
Enforcement. Enforcement of these regulations shall be the responsibility of the city utility commission (FVUC) wastewater department. Failure to comply with this program will be grounds for penalty imposition and/or discontinuance of service. Additionally, failure to comply may result in health officer revoking food service permit and/or the city revoking business license.
(h)
Appendices.
(1)
Appendix A - Grease Management Program Customer Information Form.
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GREASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM CUSTOMER INFORMATION FORM
If your business processes, prepares or otherwise handles food or food products, your facility is required by the Fort Valley Utility Commission to operate and maintain a grease interceptor that prevents the excessive discharge of fats, oils and greases to the sanitary sewer system. Please fill out this form accurately and legibly, and return to:
Fort Valley Utility Commission
Attn: Wastewater Superintendent
PO Box 1529
Fort Valley, GA 31030After our review of this information, Fort Valley Utility Commission will schedule an inspection of your facility.
Facility name: _____ Facility address: _____ _____ Billing address: (if different) _____ _____ On-site contact: _____ Telephone: _____ Corporate contact: (if needed) _____ Telephone: _____ Number of seats: _____ Maximum daily hours in operation (include preparation and clean up time): _____ Volume of existing outdoor grease interceptors (gallons): _____ Indicate the number of the following fixtures present at your facility: a.) Kitchen hand sinks: _____ b.) Pre-rinse sinks: _____ c.) Single-compartment sinks: _____ d.) Double-compartment sinks: _____ e.) Dishwashers (list by gpm flow rate): _____ Indoor inline (under-sink) grease interceptors: None present Size: _____ Cleaning frequency: _____ Maintenance log or manifest: Yes/No Size: _____ Cleaning frequency: _____ Maintenance log or manifest: Yes/No Size: _____ Cleaning frequency: _____ Maintenance log or manifest: Yes/No Size: _____ Cleaning frequency: _____ Maintenance log or manifest: Yes/No Size: _____ Cleaning frequency: _____ Maintenance log or manifest: Yes/No Where is the grease from indoor interceptors disposed? _____ _____ _____ Volume of existing outdoor grease interceptors (gallons): _____ Is the pumping of grease interceptor contracted? Yes No Unknown* Who does the pumping/hauling? _____ _____ _____ What is the pumping frequency? _____ Are waste manifests used? Yes/No (Attach copy of latest manifest) Is the interceptor pumped and cleaned completely? Yes No Unknown* Where is the grease disposed? _____ _____ _____ What are the dimensions (feet), and location of all outdoor grease interceptors?
Depth: _____ Width: _____ Length: _____ Location: _____
Depth: _____ Width: _____ Length: _____ Location: _____
Depth: _____ Width: _____ Length: _____ Location: _____
Depth: _____ Width: _____ Length: _____ Location: _____
Does sanitary waste flow to the grease interceptor? Yes No Unknown*
Does the dishwasher flow to the interceptor? Yes No N/A Unknown*
Does the garbage grinder flow to interceptor? Yes No N/A Unknown*
Does the kitchen recycle all available oil products? Yes No Unknown*
What is the name of the recycling firm? _____
*The customer before first inspection shall resolve all unknowns.
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(2)
Appendix B - Grease interceptor maintenance log.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR MAINTENANCE LOG
Pumper/hauler _____ Address _____ _____ Phone number _____ Disposal site _____ Pumping/cleaning frequency _____ Date
CleanedTime
CleanedInlet
Chamber
CleanedOutlet
Chamber
CleanedAmount
CleanedSignature
of
Employee_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ This record must be maintained and available for inspection for two years. If there is a problem or concern pertaining to the release of oils and/or grease into the sewer system, please contact Fort Valley Utility Commission, Wastewater Superintendent's office, at 478-825-7701, ext. 217.
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(3)
Appendix C - Grease management enforcement procedure.
GREASE MANAGEMENT ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURE
A.
Enforcement procedures. Generally, all violations identified by the city utility commission are reviewed, evaluated, and addressed by the appropriate enforcement response. The majority of enforcement actions begin with issuance of an initial notice of violation. This letter describes the nature of the violation and informs the user that any addition violations may result in an escalated enforcement action. Once the user has been notified of a violation or has knowledge of a condition which is a violation, the user may be allowed up to 30 days to correct the noncompliance before escalation of the enforcement process occurs. This 30-day period applies only to the initial violation. Any violations occurring after this period will be evaluated according to plan procedures. Emergency conditions require immediate correction of noncompliance.
B.
Enforcement remedies available to the city utility commission. The following list is arranged from least severe to most severe:
1.
Verbal Warning (VW) or Letter of Warning (LW).
2.
Site Visit or Re-inspection (SV).
3.
Notice of Violation (NOV).
4.
Schedule of Compliance (SOC).
5.
Termination of Discharge (TOD).
6.
Water Supply Severance (WSS).
7.
Judicial Enforcement Remedies or Litigation (LIT).
For further information or definitions of these enforcement remedies, consult the city utility commission's attorney.
C.
Staff responsibilities.
1.
The wastewater superintendent oversees all collection and screening of data, organization of enforcement actions, review of actions taken, and general management of enforcement response procedures. He is authorized to administer enforcement remedies from verbal warnings to increased self-monitoring.
2.
Enforcement will be in conformance with ordinance.
D.
Grease enforcement response guide (See section B for key to abbreviations).
Noncompliance Nature of Violation Range of Response Record or reporting violation Missing or incomplete information VW, LW, SV, NOV Failure to provide required reports (30 days late) NOV, SOC Falsification of records or manifests TOD, WSS, LIT Failure to maintain grease interceptor Infrequent VW, LW, SV, NOV Frequent or recurring SOC, TOD, WSS, LIT Improper waste disposal Evidence of intent (dumping into sewer) SOC, TOD, WSS, LIT Compliance schedules Missed milestone VW, LW, SV, NOV Failure to install required equipment SOC, TOD, WSS, LIT Missed final date (90 days outstanding without valid cause) SOC, TOD, WSS, LIT Failure to mitigate noncompliance or cease production Failure to cease SOC, TOD, WSS, LIT Failure to provide free access to facility or records Initial violation VW, LW, SV, NOV Recurring violation SOC, TOD, WSS, LIT E.
Enforcement guidance and timeframes.
1.
Whenever a notice of violation is issued that requires a response and the user fails to respond, the next level of enforcement will be taken.
2.
Enforcement responses may be escalated as needed and the city utility commission is empowered to take more than one enforcement action against any non-compliant user.
3.
The city utility commission may charge any user for recovery of costs incurred.
4.
Time frames for enforcement responses:
a.
All violations will be identified and documented within seven days of receiving compliance information.
b.
Initial enforcement responses involving contact with industrial user and requesting information on corrective or preventative actions will occur within 30 days of violation detection.
c.
Follow up actions for continuing or recurring violations will be taken within 60 days of the initial enforcement response. For all continuing violations, the response will include a compliance schedule.
d.
Violations that threaten health, property or environmental quality are considered emergencies and will receive immediate responses such as halting the discharge of the user.
(Res. No. 07-0816-52, att., 8-16-2007)
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