Partnering to Protect Clean Water

Food Service Industry

Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Program summary

The FOG program began May 2007. WSSC Water was required to make sure individual food service establishments (FSEs) were permitted by December 2010. WSSC Water was also required to initially inspect every facility by May 2012. “Every” facility means all FSEs that have appeared on either County’s Health Department license list since May 2007, regardless of whether they claim prepare or serve FOG containing food/drink or not; the WSSC Water is the final determinant of whether FOG is present. An updated health department list for each County is generated for WSSC Water in July of each year, and a new round of initial inspections begins soon thereafter.

WSSC Water must comply with a Federal Consent Decree to reduce and eliminate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and building backups (BBKs) and create a more aggressive and formalized FOG Control Program. The FOG program works to prevent BBKs, SSOs, sewage spills, and back-ups. It’s estimated that just over 50% of all preventable BBKs and SSO’s nationwide are FOG-related. 

Additional benefits from a formal FOG Program include prevention of FOG-related interferences and partial to full blockages in the sewer collection system, its pumping stations and the water resource recovery facilities.

Costly excessive pipe maintenance	Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO’s)
Costly and dangerous sewage pumping station grease build-up	Excessive FOG build-up and treatment capacity at the wastewater plants

By Federal, State and WSSC Water definition, the type of business known as a “Food Service Establishment” or FSE, may be required by Code to have grease abatement systems of various varieties if FOG is determined to exist there.

There are also “Best Management Practices” or BMP Permits. These are issued to the FSEs that, in the opinion of WSSC, have only potential to discharge a measurable quantity of FOG on a daily basis. These FSEs may not require a grease abatement system, or they are caterers utilizing an FOG permitted facility that has an installed grease abatement system and are required to follow a specific set of BMPs. Other key points include: The potential to discharge FOG-containing wastewater of a measurable quantity is reviewed not only from the food production standpoint, but also the cleaning methods and wastewater produced from the serving hardware associated with the food. Thus, FSEs do not need to cook the food at a site to produce FOG-containing wastewater.

To discover more details about FOG issues for FSEs, read the WSSC Water Code. The most applicable portions include:

• Section 818
• Section 302.10 
• Section 814 - parts dealing with grease waste haulers
• Section 804 - prohibitions and limits 

How Grease Blockages in the Sewer Occur

Sanitary sewers are designed and installed with sufficient diameter to carry the normal waste discharges from a residence or business. However, when fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are discharged to the sewer untreated, they cool and accumulate on the sidewalls of the sewer pipes, which creates a layer of build-up that diminished the pipe's diameter.

As this build-up accumulates, it restricts the flow and causes blockages in the sewer, back-ups on private property, and/or overflowing manholes. Sewer overflows can discharge to storm drains and creeks that ultimately flow to the Chesapeake Bay.

How You Can Prevent Grease Blockages

Install and Maintain Grease Interceptors, Traps, or Grease Recovery Devices (Grease Treatment Units).

Properly installed and maintained grease interceptors, traps or grease recovery devices are the most important factors in preventing FOG discharges. There are several types of approved devices that can be installed by master plumbers licensed with WSSC Water. Ensure that all kitchen fixtures that may contain FOG are connected to the grease treatment unit. This includes wash sinks, prep sinks, dishwashers, spray sinks, and mop sinks. (Food waste grinders are not allowed to be installed in FSEs or connected to the grease treatment system.)

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Manual grease traps should be cleaned on a daily basis.

• Non-renderable grease contaminated with food and water may be placed in a trash dumpster in a sealed container or stored on site in a plastic barrel, labeled non-renderable grease, for removal by a grease disposal contractor.
• Do not put grease that is heavily contaminated with food and/or water in the oil rendering barrel.
• Keep a maintenance log on-site that documents the name of the person who cleaned the trap and the date of cleaning. 

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Automatic grease recovery devices have mechanical components, timers, and sensors that should be maintained at intervals recommended by the manufacturer.

• The grease collection container should be emptied daily.
• Maintain a log of cleaning and service that is performed on these units.
• When operating properly, grease from these units may be placed in a rendering barrel.
• If the recovered grease is heavily contaminated with water, the unit is not operating properly and should be inspected for necessary adjustments or repairs.
• Non-renderable grease contaminated with food and water may be placed in a trash dumpster in a sealed container or stored on site in a plastic barrel (labeled non-renderable grease) for removal by a grease disposal contractor.
• Do not put grease that is heavily contaminated with food and/or water in the oil rendering barrel.

Outside grease Interceptors should be pumped dry and cleaned at a minimum of quarterly, however, some heavy grease producing facilities may need to pump and clean more frequently either bi-monthly or a monthly basis.

• Pumping must be performed by WSSC Water permitted grease disposal contractor.
• You can ensure that the work is performed correctly by going out and inspecting the cleaning job.
• WSSC Water regulations require that all liquids, solids and grease be removed from the interceptor.

Waste Fryer Grease Disposal

• Waste fryer oil is a reusable commodity and should be disposed of in a covered metal rendering drum or "oil only dumpster." Maintain a log of fryer oil disposal by employees and the oil rendering company.

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• Never pour waste fryer oil down the drain, into storm drains or on the ground. Make sure the barrel is covered at all times.
• Never leave the oil barrel dumpster open. Left uncovered they will collect rainwater, which will contaminate the oil and may cause the barrel to overflow into nearby streams. 

Cleanup Best Management Practices

• Scrape food from dishes into waste cans before rinsing. This will greatly reduce the amount of grease and food particles entering the grease treatment unit.
• Dry-wipe pots, pans, kettles and any other large cooking utensils before washing. This will also reduce the amount grease entering the grease treatment unit. 
• Mop water from floor cleanup should be emptied into a mop sink connected to a grease treatment unit.

Everyone Benefits

Working together, we can reduce the accumulation of grease in the sanitary sewer and associated blockages. Restaurant owners will benefit by reducing the chance of sewer backups affecting their business operations. Homeowners will benefit by avoiding the unpleasant effects of backups, which cause a great deal of inconvenience and unsanitary conditions in their homes. WSSC Water will realize reduced maintenance cost which ultimately benefits homeowners and restaurant owners as ratepayers.

Most importantly, we will all be working together to help prevent pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Grease Treatment is Required by WSSC Water Regulations

Grease treatment is not only a good idea, but also required by WSSC Water regulations. All plumbing fixtures that may contain grease must be connected to a grease treatment unit that is maintained at regular intervals.

If you do not install and maintain grease treatment your business may be subjected to fines of up $1,000. If WSSC Water determines that grease discharges from your business are the cause of sewer blockages, you may also be billed for the property damage and restoration costs in affected homes or businesses.

For more information on WSSC Water's FOG Program or to obtain a wastewater discharge permit application, check out the FOG main page.