Grease Trap Regulations

FOG (fats, oils, grease) is officially labeled a pollutant by the Environmental Protection Agency. FOG Compliance is a huge issue for waste water across the country, because it interferes with POTWs (Publicly Owned Treatment Works). If you’ve never heard this before, you will.  Fats, oils, and grease are the components that make up FOG. It’s not just grease, but includes liquid oils and solid fats as well, from things like meat, dairy products (milk, yogurt, ice cream, butter, and cheese), and mayonnaise / salad dressings.  So, even if you don’t use grease for cooking, you are likely using some of these other ingredients in your business. This is why your municipality is concerned that your business has a grease trap. Their primary goal is to control and prevent public health and water quality problems caused by these pollutants. 

The EPA did a study noting that about 47% of all waste water blockages were caused by FOG. They call these pollutant discharges in EPA (40 CFR 403). They prohibit solid or viscous pollutants in amounts that can cause obstructions to waste water systems. Additionally, the Clean Water Act of 1972 protects state water, public health, and sanitary sewer / public treatment works. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is in charge of enforcing the federal Clean Water Act. 

Add all of these factors up, and it’s clear that you must handle FOG according to regulations, or consequences will eventually be faced. In fact, the report from the EPA, says there may need to be additional oversight and enforcement of existing regulations and controls in the future. The needs for FOG. Enforcement won’t be going away anytime soon, so it is critical that your business work with your inspector to remain in compliance.