FSEs shall be solely responsible for operating the grease interceptor or trap within the operational capabilities for which it was designed.
(a) FSEs shall develop and implement best management practices (BMPs) to minimize FOG discharges. FSEs shall be responsible for posting appropriate signage and educating its employees in the proper disposal of food wastes and dishwashing techniques. Written records shall be maintained by the FSE for disposal of cooking oil, grease interceptor maintenance and any repairs. Records shall be maintained for a minimum of 2 years by the FSE and document the date of service, name of service provider, volume of waste removed and other pertinent information. These records shall remain on the FSE premises and be available for inspection by the city’s staff during normal business hours.
(b) Should new sinks or dishwashing units be installed, or existing units replaced with new units of different capacities, which affect the volume of wastewater being discharged to the city’s sewer system, it shall be the responsibility of the FSE to notify the City of Claremont’s Public Works Department in writing a minimum of 30 days prior to installing such new facilities. The City of Claremont will evaluate whether the existing grease interceptor is appropriately-sized to handle the additional flow. Operational adjustments proposed by the FSE may also be considered by the city in lieu of increased interceptor size.
(c) When settled solids in the grease interceptor’s first chamber accumulate to 20% (l/5th) of the depth of the chamber or 60 days lapses between cleanouts, whichever occurs first, the FSE shall be required to cleanout the chamber by contracting a pump-and-haul service. Under-the-sink grease traps shall be cleaned out weekly, or more frequently if needed, by the FSE.
(d) No solids greater than 1/2-inch shall be discharged into the grease interceptor at any time. Grease interceptors shall be kept free from rocks, grit, gravel, sand, shells, utensils, cigarettes, rags, and the like which may reduce the effective treatment volume of the interceptor.
(e) The city may randomly schedule sampling of the wastewater exiting the grease interceptor a minimum of one (1) time annually using a North Carolina certified laboratory and report the results to the FSE. The laboratory shall use USEPA Method 413.1 in analyzing the sample for FOG. The purpose of FOG sampling shall be for data analysis to assist with the city’s scheduling of downstream maintenance. The city does not intend to impose numerical FOG limits on the wastewater discharge from individual FSEs, unless the city is experiencing recurring FOG problems in the collection system downstream of the FOG-producing discharge points and determines that numerical limits should be assigned.
(Ord. of 11/7/11, No. 07-11)