Manatee County Government
FOG Control Program
Table of Contents
Is grease a problem?
In the sewage collection and treatment business the answer is an emphatic YES! Problems range from blocked sewer lines, rancid odors and potential health hazards to pump station failure. Large amounts of oil and grease in the wastewater cause trouble in the collection system pipes. They often decrease pipe capacity and therefore require that piping systems be cleaned more often and/or some piping to be replaced sooner than otherwise expected. Oil and grease also hamper effective treatment at the wastewater treatment plant. Concerns caused by wastes generated by food service facilities have served as the basis for ordinances and regulations governing the discharge of grease material to the wastewater collection system. This type of waste has forced the requirements of the installation of preliminary treatment devices, commonly known as grease traps or interceptors.
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Who generates grease?
Greasy wastewater that ends up in Manatee County’s wastewater collection system originates from a variety of sources such as residential, commercial, industrial, public and private facilities.
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What is a grease trap?
A grease trap is a device that is installed inside the building or under the sink to separate and retain grease and solid materials from the waste stream while allowing the balance of the liquid waste to discharge to the wastewater collection system by gravity. Baffles in the grease trap retain the wastewater long enough for the grease to congeal and rise to the surface. Traps have a removable lid on the top surface to facilitate inspection and cleaning.
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What is a grease interceptor?
A grease interceptor is a device that is installed outside the building to separate and retain grease and solid materials from the waste stream while allowing the balance of the liquid waste to discharge to the wastewater collection system by gravity. The capacity of the interceptor provides adequate residence time so that the wastewater has time to cool, allowing any grease time to congeal and rise to the surface where it accumulates until the interceptor is cleaned.
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What are Best Management Practices?
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are practices that a food service facility operator or anyone who cooks or prepares food can utilize to minimize the amount of grease being discharged from their business. The following Best Management Practices (BMPs) are procedures and/or practices which effectively reduce the discharge of Fats, Oil and Grease from their wastewater discharge.
See also Grease Traps and Interceptors Maintenance
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