Grease Trap Treatment and Regulations

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Grease Trap Treatment and New York City Regulation

Grease traps or grease interceptors and the maintenance that comes with these types of oil separating systems are required in most municipalities. The sole purpose of the system is to collect and separate the grease, fats and oil discharged wastewater that flows into septic tanks and drain fields or the city sewer system.

The grease trap or grease trap interceptor are usually installed under the sink and will connect into the dish washer drain pipe system of most restaurants as a way of capturing fats, oils and greases before they reach the septic system drain field or the city sewer system. Organic fats, oils and greases clog septic tanks, the drain lines and the drain fields that they leach into. City sewer systems and waste water treatment plants are greatly affected by the discharge of large amounts of grease discharging from restaurants clogging city drain pipes, causing sewer overflows interfering with normal operation of the sewer authority system.

City sewer and waste water treatment authorities have become more and more pro active in monitoring and controlling the amount of fats, oil and grease (FOG) originating from restaurants. The operating cost of collecting and treating the excess amounts of grease, fats and oil waste generated by merchants and restaurants has forced many municipalities to crack down on violators issuing substantial fees and penalties to the establishments and business owners.

Municipalities such as New York City are cracking down on violators by implementing new regulations such as the “Sewer Use Regulation” This regulation is controlled by the Ney York City Department of Environmental Protection or (DEP). Restaurants found to be in violation of the “Sewer Use Regulation” can receive penalties up to $10,000.00 per occurrence. Proper grease traps and grease trap interceptors should be installed and maintained on a regular basis. These systems are very effective in controlling the flow of fats, oil and greases (FOG) created by Food Service Establishments (FSEs) when properly maintained.

Bacterial enzyme additives for grease traps operations have been proven to be effective in the digestion of odors, fats, oils and greases (FOG) essentially reducing the required amount of pump outs in addition to reducing the buildup of impacted solid residue in the piping created from the flow of fats, oils and greases moving downstream to the designated treatment facility, whether it be a septic tank and drain field or a waste water treatment facility. Bacterial enzyme treatments will also reduce pipe clogged due to solid grease build up and the occasional requirement of mechanically snaking out of clogged drain lines and pipes.

Bacterial grease trap enzymes have also been utilized with great success in the bio remediation of clogged septic tank drain fields and cesspits. Grease trap drain fields and cesspits will clog as a result of a lack of bacteria and regular maintenance. Replacement of commercial drain fields and cesspits can run $20,000.00 up depending on the zone and municipality. Regular bacterial treatment and maintenance of the system will be a great benefit providing the facility owners with years of problem free service.

By: Bradley Skierkowski