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It is the city of Alamo's purpose and intent by this chapter to maximize the effectiveness of all future grease interceptors installed within the city of Alamo by setting forth the minimum size of grease interceptors for all new commercial, institutional, or industrial food service or processing facilities. Said size shall be a minimum of one thousand (1,000) gallons in size and in accordance with the city of Alamo plumbing code, unless the facility fits within exceptions listed under the exempt limited food establishments section of this chapter. (Ord. 02-02-05, 2-20-2005)
Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context clearly indicates a different intention, the following terms shall for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings indicated in this section, as follows:
BOD: The value of the five (5) day test for biochemical oxygen demand, as described in the latest edition of "Standard Methods For The Examination Of Water And Wastewater".
COD: The value of the test for chemical oxygen demand, as described in the latest edition of "Standard Methods For The Examination Of Water And Wastewater".
FATS, OILS, AND GREASES (FOG): Organic polar compounds derived from animal and/or plant sources that contain multiple carbon chain triglyceride molecules. These substances are detectable and measurable using analytical test procedures established in 40 CFR 136, as may be amended from time to time. All are sometimes referred to herein as "grease" or "greases".
GREASE INTERCEPTOR: A device designed to use differences in specific gravities to separate and retain high density liquids, automotive and industrial oils and greases, and solids prior to the wastewater entering the sanitary sewer collection system.
GREASE TRAP: A smaller device installed underneath a kitchen sink and contains the same type of grease waste collected in a grease interceptor.
GREASE TRAP WASTE: Sand, grit, petroleum products, and other inorganic particles collected in an interceptor or trap in the sanitary sewer line of a commercial or industrial automotive service or washing establishment, such as car washes, automotive and body shops and other industrial washing facilities.
GREASE WASTE: Material collected in an interceptor or trap in the sanitary sewer service line of a commercial, institutional, or industrial food service or processing establishment, including the solids resulting from the rewatering process.
pH: The measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of water and is defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration.
SURFACTANTS, SOLVENTS, EMULSIFIERS: Materials which allow grease to pass into the collection system, and include, but are not limited to, enzymes, soap, diesel, kerosene, terpene, and other solvents.
TSS: The value of the test for total suspended solids, as described in the latest edition of "Standard Methods For The Examination Of Water And Wastewater". (Ord. 02-02-05, 2-20-2005)
The grease and grit trap/interceptor waste collection and disposal service contracted for by the city and the chosen vendor shall be used by all generators of grease trap/interceptor waste within the city and customers shall be charged fees for the services required by the agreement, with rate increases subject to approval by the city.
The city prohibits grease and grit traps/interceptors waste collection and disposal by companies not franchised by this chapter and will impose a five hundred dollar ($500.00) per day, per customer penalty for companies operating within the city limits without a franchise agreement.
The city of Alamo desires to follow the Texas commission on environmental quality's (TCEQ) model standards for grease management regarding the cleaning schedule for grease and grit traps/interceptors.
All existing grease and grit traps and interceptors shall be evacuated based on the schedules specified in this chapter.
All new grease interceptors installed within the city of Alamo for all new commercial, institutional, or industrial food service or processing facilities shall be a minimum of one thousand (1,000) gallons in size and constructed and installed in accordance with the city of Alamo plumbing code.
The city of Alamo shall issue a request for proposals in order to find the most qualified vendor for the grease and grit trap/interceptor collection and disposal agreement.
The chosen vendor shall pay or allow the city to collect ten percent (10%) of the fees charged by the vendor under the agreement. (Ord. 02-02-05, 2-20-2005)
The following limited food service establishments are exempt from the one thousand (1,000) gallon size requirement for grease trap interceptors if approved by the city manager or his designee:
A. Adult daycare centers operated within a person's residence;
B. Child daycare centers operated within a person's residence; and
C. Gas stations which provide limited packaged food items for sale and where minimal food preparation is involved, and where there is no meat cutting or packaging, delicatessen, or bakeries.
These exempt limited establishments shall, within three (3) years of the effective date hereof install a grease interceptor that has a total liquid capacity of not less than five hundred (500) gallons.
Other limited food service establishments that may apply for an exemption from the one thousand (1,000) gallon minimum size grease interceptor are establishments where: a) the principal business is not the preparation and sale of food; and b) there are less than ten (10) seats available for customers. For establishments applying for this exemption, the size of grease interceptors shall be determined in accordance with the city of Alamo plumbing and code enforcement department but shall, in no case, have a total liquid capacity of less than five hundred (500) gallons. (Ord. 02-02-05, 2-20-2005)
The city shall have the power to administer and enforce provisions of this chapter as may be required by governing law. Any person violating any provisions of this chapter is subject to suit for injunctive relief as well as prosecution for criminal violations. Any person violating any provision of this chapter, including the collection or disposal of grease and grit trap/interceptor waste collection by companies not franchised by this chapter or the failure or refusal of a generator of grease and grit trap/interceptor waste to use or pay for the collection and disposal services provided for herein may be fined not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) per day, per customer. Each day that a provision of this chapter is violated shall constitute a separate offense. An offense under this chapter is a misdemeanor. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as a waiver of the city's right to bring a civil action to enforce the provisions of this chapter and to seek remedies as allowed by law, including, but not limited to, the following:
A. Injunctive relief to prevent specific conduct that violates this chapter or to require specific conduct that is necessary for compliance with this chapter;
B. A civil penalty up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) a day when it is shown that the defendant was actually notified of the provisions of this chapter and after receiving notice committed acts in violation of this chapter or failed to take action necessary for compliance with this chapter; and
C. Other available relief. (Ord. 02-02-05, 2-20-2005)