(A) Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to minimize the introduction of fats, oils and greases (FOG) into the city’s wastewater collection system. The main components of this section are the proper sizing, installation and maintenance of grease traps and grease interceptors.
(B) Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context clearly indicates a different intention, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this section, have the meanings indicated in this division.
AUTOMATIC GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE. A mechanical device that automatically separates grease from wastewater into a container, and that is usually set on a timer.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES or BMPs. Management and operational procedures that are intended to prevent pollutants from entering a facility’s wastestream or from reaching a discharge point. BMPs include schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to implement the general and specific prohibitions listed in 40 C.F.R. 403.5(a)(1) and (b).
CITY. The City of Clinton, Indiana, acting through its Board of Public Works.
DIRECTOR. The Superintendent of the utility or any duly authorized representative acting on his or her behalf.
DOMESTIC WASTEWATER. Wastewater from sanitary fixtures such as toilets and urinals.
FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT or FSE. Any facility that cuts, cooks, bakes, prepares, or serves food, or that disposes of food-related wastes. FSEs do not include residential users, but may include dormitories, nursing home facilities, fraternities, sororities, schools, hospitals, prisons and other facilities as designated by the Superintendent.
GARBAGE DISPOSAL. A device that shreds or grinds up solid or semisolid waste materials into smaller portions for discharge into the city sanitary sewer.
GREASE. 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.
GREASE HAULER or GREASE TRANSPORTER. One who transfers grease waste from the site of a user to an approved site for disposal and treatment. The hauler is responsible for assuring chat ail federal, state and local regulations are followed regarding waste transport.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR. A device usually located outdoors and underground, and so constructed as to separate, trap and hold fats, oils and greases from the wastewater discharged by a facility to prevent these substances from entering the city sanitary sewer.
GREASE RETENTION DEVICE. A device so constructed as to separate, trap and hold fats, oils and greases from the wastewater discharged by a facility to prevent these substances from entering the city sanitary sewer. GREASE RETENTION DEVICES include grease interceptors, grease traps and alternative grease retention devices.
GREASE TRAP. A device usually located under or in close proximity to sinks, and so constructed as to separate, trap and hold fats, oils and greases from the wastewater discharged by a facility to prevent these substances from entering the municipal sanitary sewer.
NEWLY REMODELED FSE. A FSE that is replacing and/or rearranging its kitchen fixture units and/or its kitchen plumbing system.
SUPERINTENDENT. The Superintendent of the utility or any duly authorized representative acting on his or her behalf.
(C) Applicability. This chapter shall apply to all food service establishments. In addition, the requirements set forth herein may be applied to other commercial properties when, in the opinion of the Superintendent, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand or other harmful ingredients.
(D) Installation requirements for new food service establishments. All proposed FSEs that discharge wastewater into the city sanitary sewer system shall be required to install an approved, properly operated and maintained grease interceptor. All interceptor units shall be of the type and capacity approved by the city. Grease interceptors shall be located so as to provide easy access to the manhole covers for maintenance and inspection activities. No plan approval or building permit shall be issued for new construction of a FSE without full compliance with this section and associated adopted ordinances.
(E) Installation requirements for newly remodeled or renovated food service establishments. All existing FSEs that discharge wastewater into the city’s sanitary sewer system are required to install an approved, properly maintained grease trap in compliance with this section, within one year of its adoption, unless specifically exempted by the city in writing. All grease trap units shall be of the type and capacity approved by the Superintendent.
(F) Design criteria.
(1) Domestic wastewater shall not be discharged into a grease retention device.
(2) Wastewater from dishwashing sinks, mop sinks, hand sinks and floor drains shall be discharged into a grease retention device.
(3) Interior plumbing plans shall be submitted to the Superintendent, depicting all fixtures proposed to be connected to a grease retention device.
(4) Grease retention device proposals shall be submitted to the Superintendent. Grease retention devices shall not be installed without the prior approval of the Superintendent.
(5) Grease interceptors shall be constructed in accordance with the City Utilities standard, and shall have a minimum of two compartments with fittings designed for grease retention. The minimum size for a grease interceptor is 750 gallons. Garbage disposals and dishwashers shall not be connected to a properly sized grease interceptor.
(6) All grease interceptors shall be designed to allow for complete access for inspection and maintenance of inner chambers, as well as viewing and sampling wastewater discharged to the sanitary sewer.
(7) Grease traps shall be designed to allow for complete access for inspection and maintenance activities. Newly installed grease traps shall include a filter that is designed to prevent the discharge of grease from the unit. Dishwashers and garbage disposals shall not be connected to grease traps.
(8) Alternative grease retention devices or technologies shall be subject to the approval of the Superintendent. Such approval shall be based on the demonstrated removal efficiencies of the proposed technology.
(9) The installation of new or replacement of existing garbage disposal units in FSEs in lieu of grease retention devices is prohibited.
(G) Best management practices. The following best management practices or BMPs shall be implemented and adhered to by all FSEs.
(1) Installation. All new and existing FSEs are required to install a grease retention device.
(2) Pumping. All grease interceptors and traps 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.
(3) Pumping prohibitions. Decanting or discharging of removed waste liquid back into the interceptor or trap from which the waste was removed, or into any other grease interceptor or trap, for the purpose of reducing the volume to be disposed, is strictly prohibited.
(4) Grease interceptor maintenance frequency. Grease interceptors must be pumped out completely once annually, or more frequently if the unit has accumulated waste, both floatable and settleable, accounting for 25% of its wetted depth, as measured from the static water level to the interior tank bottom.
(5) Grease interceptor reporting requirements. Grease hauler pumping receipts must be mailed, faxed or electronically submitted to the Superintendent within 14 days of the date of grease interceptor maintenance.
(6) Grease trap maintenance frequency. Grease traps must be pumped/cleaned out completely a minimum of once every 90 days, or more frequently if the unit has accumulated waste, both floatable and settleable, accounting for 25% of its wetted depth, as measured from the static water level to the interior tank bottom.
(7) Grease trap reporting requirements. Each time it cleans out the grease trap, the FSE is required to fill out the grease trap maintenance verification log. The log shall include the date, time and volume of waste removed, the disposal site, and a signature. The logs must be kept on file at the facility for a minimum of two years, and must also be made available to the Superintendent during inspections. If the FSE hires a grease hauler to pump out the grease trap, the FSE is required to submit the grease hauler’s receipts to the Superintendent. The receipts must be mailed, faxed or electronically submitted to the Superintendent within 14 days of the date of grease trap maintenance.
(8) Chemical treatment. The use of chemical treatments, such as bacterial additives, emulsifiers, drain cleaners, enzymes, acids and other chemicals designed to dissolve, purge or remove grease from grease traps or grease interceptors, is strictly prohibited.
(9) Dishwashing requirements. FSEs are required to scrape food into the trash and “dry wipe” grease from pots, pans and dishware prior to dishwashing. Food waste is required to be disposed of in the trash.
(H) Inspections. Authorized city personnel, bearing proper credentials and identification, shall have the right to enter upon all properties subject to these requirements, at any time and without prior notification, for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling, testing or record review, as part of this program.
(I) Exemptions. Exemptions shall be made at the Superintendent’s discretion for FSEs that can demonstrate that their food preparation and/or disposal practices do not produce grease in sufficient quantities to require regulation.
(1989 Code, § 51.63) (Ord. 6-1974, passed 7-15-1974; Ord. 11-2019-2, passed 12-18-2019) Penalty, see § 51.999