(a) Purpose.
(1) The purpose of this section is the regulation of the collection and disposal of grease interceptor waste for the protection of the Village of Woodmere (“Village”)-owned and Woodbran Realty Corporation (“Woodbran”)- owned sanitary sewer system operating in the Village of Woodmere and the environment.
(2) The objective of this section is to reduce the operational consequences and maintenance costs to the Village and Woodbran of maintaining the sanitary sewer system by preventing the accumulation of grease within the collection system lines.
(3) This section shall apply to the Village of Woodmere and to persons outside the Village who, by contract, agreement or otherwise with the Village, are users of the Village-owned sanitary sewer lines.
(b) Administration. The Village of Woodmere shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this regulation. The Village of Woodmere may contact with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to conduct inspections and monitoring and to assist with enforcement actions.
(c) Applicability.
(1) Waste which contains grease shall be discharged into the sanitary sewer system only under the conditions of this section. The following facilities (collectively “Facilities” and individually a “Facility”) shall discharge all waste from sinks, dishwashers, drains, and any other fixtures through which grease may be discharged, into an adequately sized, properly maintained and functioning grease interceptor before the discharge enters the sanitary sewer, and shall provide a grease-interceptor(s) inlet-flow control-device inspection port and a grease-interceptor effluent monitoring port:
A. Every commercial food-preparation and/or food-service facility, including but not limited to bakeries, butcher shops, cafes, clubhouses, commercial kitchens, delicatessens, ice-cream parlors, hospitals, restaurants, schools, and similar facilities, especially where meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products or fried foods are prepared or served.
B. All facilities engaged in any type of food preparation and/or service operation including, but not limited to, the preparation, packaging, cooking, sales or treatment of food products, and whose sewage is not in excess of the parameters defined for “food sewage.” For purposes of this section, “food service sewage” is sewage generated by a food service customer and having characteristic intensity not higher than 500 mp/1 BOD-5, 230 mp/l suspended solids, and 1 to 5 peak load factor.
C. All facilities the use of which generates sewage resulting from other than normal household activities having a characteristic intensity in excess of 210 mp/l, BOD-5, 200 mp/l suspended solids, 1 to 3 peaking factor.
D. All shopping centers that have food-processing facilities.
E. All food courts.
F. All other facilities discharging grease in amounts that, in the opinion of the Village, Woodbran or the Cuyahoga County Board of Health will, alone or in combination with other substances from the discharges of the same or other facilities, have a reasonable chance to inhibit the flow in any sanitary sewer.
(2) All new areas of intensified use or dwelling, including, but not limited to adult day-care facilities, assisted-living facilities, convalescent homes, day nursing and childcare facilities, in which food preparation occurs, home for the mentally challenged, hotels, maternity homes, motels in which there is a commercial food-preparation service, nursing homes, retirement and life- care communities and homes, and truck stops with commercial food service, shall be required to have grease interceptors. Modifications to existing facilities that do not add new buildings, add new grease-generating activities, or increase grease-generating activities are exempt from this requirement.
(3) Interceptors shall not be required for single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, or apartment complexes, unless the Village and/or Woodbran first determines there are discharges from the property that may create problems in the sanitary sewer system. The determination shall be made based upon an investigation of such property and a comparison of the content and amount of discharge from the property with the discharges of other properties similar in size and use. Upon a determination hereunder that the discharges may create problems in the sanitary sewer system, the Village shall require the installation of a sufficiently sized grease interceptor to treat the discharges.
(d) Compliance and Timeline.
(1) On or after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, the owner of an existing facility (excepting those existing facilities described in this section) shall be required to install an approved, adequately sized, and properly operated and maintained grease interceptor when any of the following conditions exist:
A. It is found by the Village, Woodbran or Cuyahoga County Board of Health to be contributing grease in potential quantities sufficient to inhibit sanitary sewer flow or necessitate increased maintenance on the sanitary sewer collection system in order to keep impairments to the main line flow from occurring.
B. It is remodeling the food preparation or kitchen waste plumbing facilities in such a manner to be subject to a permit issued by the Village Building Department.
C. Its interceptor allows a discharge of oil or grease in excess of 250 mg/l.
D. It is required by this section or other applicable ordinance to maintain a grease interceptor and is found to be equipped with an undersized grease interceptor. Such a facility shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, install an adequately sized grease interceptor in accordance with the specifications of this section.
E. It is required by this section or other applicable ordinances to maintain a grease interceptor and is found not to be equipped with a grease interceptor. Such a facility shall, within sixty (60) days to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, install an adequately sized grease interceptor in accordance with the specifications of this section.
(2) Owners of new facilities required by this section or other applicable ordinances to maintain a grease interceptor shall install such a unit prior to commencement of discharge to the sanitary sewer system.
(3) Any requests for extensions to installation dates must be made in writing to the Village and Woodbran, at least thirty (30) days in advance of the compliance date. The written request shall include the reasons for the Facility’s failure or inability to comply with the compliance date set forth, the additional time needed to complete the remaining work, and the steps to be taken to avoid future delays. Upon receipt of such a request, the Village shall determine the date for compliance following consultation with Woodbran regarding the same.
(4) Owners of existing Facilities required by this section or other applicable ordinances to maintain a grease interceptor that demonstrate that the installation of a grease trap is not feasible may use bioremediation as an alternative. The Village and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health will determine whether a Facility may exercise this option for sanitary sewer maintenance. The bioremediation method and product must be approved by the Village, Woodbran, and Cuyahoga County Board of Health in writing prior to use in the sanitary sewer system. In addition, the operator of each such existing Facility must maintain written documentation of a current contract with a bioremediation supplier approved through the Village and/or Cuyahoga County Board of Health, copies of which shall be provided by such operator to the Village and Woodbran.
(5) All owners and operators of Facilities shall be required to send to Woodbran and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, on a semi-annual basis, certified test results from an independent testing laboratory, providing Woodbran with the chemical characteristics of its sewage discharge. The results shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. BOD-5;
B. Suspended solids;
C. Peaking factors;
D. Pounds of phosphorus;
E. Characteristics of any other special wastes allowed by the Company to be discharged into its system by any Facility; or other such specific data as Woodbran deems relevant to the particular operation and service location of the Facility.
If an owner or operator of a Facility fails to provide Woodbran with such data, Woodbran and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health shall make the tests and such owner or operator shall be charged for Woodbran’s costs of performing such tests plus twenty percent (20%) of such costs and any other related expenses including any attorney fees and costs of collection. If the owner or operator of a Facility refuses to conduct such tests or refuses to allow Woodbran to conduct such tests, Woodbran shall have the right to disconnect sanitary sewer service to such owner or operator.
(e) Discharge Criteria.
(1) Where oil and grease are a byproduct of food preparation and/or cleanup, reasonable efforts shall be made to separate waste oil and grease into a separate container for property disposal. Except as contained in byproducts of food preparation and/or cleanup, waste oil and grease shall not be discharged to any drains or grease interceptors. Such waste shall be placed in a container designed to hold such waste and either utilized by industry or disposed of at suitable locations.
(2) None of the following agents shall be placed directly into a grease interceptor, or into any drain that leads to the interceptor:
A. Emulsifiers, de-emulsifiers, surface active agents, enzymes, degreasers, or any type of products that will liquefy grease interceptor wastes,
B. Any substance that may cause excessive foaming in the sanitary sewer system, or
C. Any substance capable of passing the solid or semi-solid contents of the grease interceptor to the sanitary sewer system.
(3) The influent to interceptors shall not exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit (150oF). The temperature at the flow-control device inspection port shall be considered equivalent to the temperature of the influent.
(4) Toilets, urinals, and other similar fixtures shall not discharge through a grease interceptor.
(5) Waste shall only enter the grease interceptor through the inlet-flow-control device.
(6) Where food-waste grinders are installed, the waste from such units shall discharge directly into the building drainage system without passing through a grease interceptor. Living quarters, as defined in subsection (c)(2) hereof are exempted from this requirement.
(f) Requirements for Grease Interceptors.
(1) The owner or operator of a new or existing Facility must apply for all necessary permits prior to installation of any grease trap or interceptor, and shall provide copies of all such permits to Woodbran and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
(2) The plumbing inspector assigned by the State of Ohio will oversee the installation of the trap or interceptor.
(3) Grease traps shall be installed a minimum distance of ten feet (10') from sinks and dishwashers to allow for adequate cooling of wastewater. Water temperatures must be less than 150oF prior to entering grease trap.
(4) Sample port. A sample port shall be installed on the effluent line of each grease trap. The port shall be a minimum of six inches (6") in diameter and be connected to the sewer line at a 90o degree angle to allow for sampling activities. The port shall be installed in such a manner as to be protected from storm sewer contamination and maintained in a safe and proper operating condition. The plug on the sample port must be easily removable.
(g) Interceptor Maintenance.
(1) It shall be unlawful for a grease or grit generator to allow grease or grit interceptor waste to be removed from his premises by a transporter who does not have all applicable Federal, State, or local permits or registrations, including any permit required by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
(2) If a vacuum truck company is used to remove the grease from the interceptor or trap, the following information must be kept on file with the operator and submitted to the Village and Cuyahoga County Board of Health:
A. The vacuum truck company name, address, and telephone number,
B. The name of a primary and secondary contact person at the vacuum truck company,
C. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health permit number,
D. Be signed and dated by an authorized representative of the vacuum truck company indicating acceptance of the terms of the contract, and
E. The name, address, and telephone number of the disposal site.
F. The signature of the Facility representative present when the grease trap was cleaned.
(3) The vacuum truck company shall provide a Certificate of Insurance, Certificate of Assurance, or Certificate of Indemnification.
(4) Facilities are responsible for maintaining grease traps in continuous proper working condition. Further, Facilities are responsible for inspecting, repairing, replacing, or installing apparatus and equipment as necessary to ensure proper operation and function of grease traps and compliance with discharge limitations at all times.
(5) Records of maintenance are required to be maintained on site for three (3) years. (Ninety (90) day maintenance frequency assumes proper sizing and installation consistent with this guidance).
(6) The Facility shall maintain adequate documentation that the grease interceptor is appropriately cleaned and inspected.
(h) Required Pumping Frequency.
(1) Unless otherwise specified in writing by the Village, Woodbran and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, each grease interceptor in active use shall be cleaned at least once every calendar quarter and more frequently as needed to prevent carryover of grease into the sanitary sewer system. The Village, Woodbran or the Cuyahoga County Board of Health may specify cleaning more frequently when quarterly pumping is determined by the Village, Woodbran or the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to be inadequate. Any grease generator desiring a schedule less frequent than quarterly shall submit a written request to the Village, Woodbran and Cuyahoga County Board of Health, demonstrating to the Village, Woodbran and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health that the pumping frequency can be performed at greater intervals without impairment of the operation of the public sewer.
(2) The owner or operator of the Facility shall be responsible for providing such additional pumping as needed.
(3) All grease interceptors shall be maintained by the Facility at the Facility’s expense.
(i) Interceptor Maintenance Log. Every Facility having a grease interceptor shall maintain an Interceptor Maintenance Log indicating each pumping for the previous three (3) years. This log shall include the date, time, amount pumped, hauler and disposal site, initials of individual recording the information, and shall be kept in a conspicuous location on the premises of the Facility for inspection. Said log shall be made immediately available to Woodbran, the Village, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, and any authorized inspector.
(j) Fees.
(1) A licensing fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per annum shall be paid by each person or entity identified in subsection (c) hereof. The licensing fee shall be payable within thirty days after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
(2) The fees for such permits shall be for a permit issued for a period of one (1) year. The control authority may prorate the amounts for permits with shorter durations. All permits will expire at 12:00 midnight on the date specified on the permit as determined by the Village.
(k) Violation.
(1) It is unlawful for any person and/or Facility to discharge into the sanitary sewer system in any manner that is in violation of this section, or of any condition set forth in this section. No person shall cause or permit the plugging or blocking of, or otherwise interfere with or permit the interference of the operation of a grease interceptor or the sanitary sewer system, including alteration or removal of any flow constricting devices so as to cause flow to rise above the design capacity of the interceptor.
(2) No person and/or Facility shall discharge sewage in excess of characteristic intensity higher than 500 mp/l BOD-5, 230 mp/l suspended solids, 1 to 5 peak load factor 500 mp/l BOD-5, 230 mp/l suspended solids, and/or 1 to 5 peak load factor.
(3) No person and/or Facility shall fail to conduct any testing required under this chapter.
(4) The Village may suspend water or sewer service and Woodbran may suspend sewer service when such suspension is necessary, in the opinion of the Village or Woodbran, in order to stop an actual or threatened discharge which:
A. Presents or may present an imminent or substantial endangerment to the health or welfare of persons or the environment;
B. Causes or may cause stoppages or excessive maintenance to be required to prevent stoppages in the sanitary sewer collection system; and/or
C. Causes interference to the sanitary sewer system.
(5) Any person notified of a suspension of the water or sewer service shall immediately stop or eliminate the discharge. In the event of a failure of the person to comply voluntarily with a suspension order, the Village and/or Woodbran may take such steps as deemed necessary, including immediate termination of water or sewer service, to prevent or minimize actual or threatened damage to the sanitary sewer system or sewer connection or endangerment to any individuals. The Village shall reinstate the water or sewer service and Woodbran shall reinstate sanitary sewer service upon receipt of proof that such conditions causing the suspension have passed or been eliminated. A detailed written statement submitted by the Facility describing the cause(s) of the harmful discharge and the measure(s) taken to prevent any future occurrence shall be submitted to the Village and Woodbran within fifteen (15) days of the date of occurrence.
(6) Any person who violates any provisions of this section, or who shall fail to comply with any provision hereof, shall be subject to a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation and each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punished accordingly.
(7) In addition to any applicable fines or penalties, a violator shall be liable to the Village and Woodbran for any expense, loss, or damage occasioned by the Village or Woodbran for clean-up and proper disposal of said materials. The violator shall be further required to pay an administrative fee equal to one-half of assessed clean-up costs.
(8) The Village has the option to take additional action against any Facility that has caused three (3) or more sanitary sewer blockages in one calendar year due to excess grease accumulation.
(l) Severability. If any part or parts of this section shall be held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of this chapter. The governing body declares that it would have passed the remaining parts of this chapter if it had known that such part or parts thereof would be declared invalid. (Ord. 2009-43. Passed 7-15-09.)