(A) It is the duty and responsibility of the City of Lincolnton Water Resources Department to prevent the excessive introduction of oil and grease into the sanitary sewer system and the wastewater treatment plants. This policy is designed to outline, implement and enforce oil and grease discharge rules and to have an educational program for both residential and commercial users. The intent of this policy is to ensure compliance with the City of Lincolnton's Sewer Use Ordinance; ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) as it relates to fats, oil and grease (FOG); ensure compliance with City of Lincolnton's Wastewater Collection Permit Number WQCS00040; and to protect the city's infrastructure as it relates to the sanitary sewer collection and treatment system.
(B) The accumulation of grease within sanitary sewer lines increases the potential to create sewer blockages. Sanitary sewer blockages can result in sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), which may reach the surface waters of North Carolina. Blockages may also cause wastewater to back up into business establishments or homes and can result extensive damage. Grease can be discharged to the sanitary sewer system from several sources, including food service establishments (FSEs).
(C) In order to reduce sewer blockages, food service establishments discharging wastewater that contains grease to the city’s sanitary sewer system must install and maintain a grease trap or grease interceptor. All grease trap and grease interceptors shall be maintained for continuous, satisfactory and effective operation by the owner, leaseholder and/or operator at their expense. Best management practices for the control of fats, oil and grease, as published by the city, shall also be implemented by all food service establishments.
(D) The Director reserves the right to make determination of grease retention unit adequacy and need, based on review of all relevant information regarding grease retention performance, maintenance, and facility site and building plan review to require repairs to, modification, or replacement of such retention units.
(Ord. O-01-22, passed 4-7-2022)