The purpose of this article is:
A. To prevent the obstruction and overflow of the municipal sewer system
caused by a blockage or other interference resulting from wastewater
discharges containing fats, oils and/or grease from food-related businesses
into the Alpha Borough sewer system.
B. To abate a nuisance and prevent any health hazards created by the
discharge of fats, oils, and/or grease into the Alpha Borough sewer
system that may threaten or cause injury to public health, safety,
and welfare of life, property and/or the environment.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
EXISTING ESTABLISHMENT
Any nonresidential establishment which has obtained a valid
sewer connection permit from Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility prior
to the effective date of this article. Changes in ownership or use,
or major renovations to an existing establishment, will cause the
establishment to be classified as a new establishment.
EXTERNAL GREASE INTERCEPTOR (EGI)
Also known as a "gravity grease interceptor," means a plumbing
appurtenance or appliance that is designed by a licensed professional
engineer to be installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept
nonpetroleum fats, oils, and greases (FOG) from a wastewater discharge,
is identified by volume, baffle(s), a minimum of two compartments,
and gravity separation, and is installed exterior to the establishment.
FATS, OILS AND/OR GREASE (FOG)
Organic polar compounds derived from animal and/or plant
sources that contain multiple carbon chain triglyceride molecules.
These substances are detectable and measurable using analytical test
procedures established in 40 CFR 136, as may be amended from time
to time. All may be referred to herein as "FOG," "grease" or "greases."
INTERNAL GREASE INTERCEPTOR (IGI)
Also known as a "hydromechanical grease interceptor," means
a plumbing appurtenance or appliance that is installed in a sanitary
drainage system to intercept nonpetroleum fats, oils, and grease from
a wastewater discharge and is identified by flow rate, separation
and retention efficiency. The design incorporates air entrainment,
hydromechanical separation, interior baffling, and/or barriers in
combination or separately, and an external flow control, with air
intake (vent).
NEW ESTABLISHMENT
Any establishment that is not defined as an existing establishment,
including change of ownership or use, or major renovations to an existing
establishment.
[Reserved for future use.]
All nonresidential properties and/or businesses engaged in a
food-related business, or which may potentially discharge FOG into
the Alpha Borough sewerage system, must install, operate and maintain
approved grease interceptors or similar technology to achieve compliance
with the objectives of this article.
No person, property owner or business owner shall:
A. Discharge or cause to be discharged FOG into the Alpha Borough sewer
system in a manner that will allow the accumulation of liquid and/or
solidified grease that is in a quantity which is capable of being
visually observed in the sewer lines or which accumulates within the
system in a manner that potentially obstructs or hinders the flow
of sewage along its intended path.
B. Store, dispose of, handle, or discharge FOG in a manner that creates
a nuisance or potential nuisance.
C. Clean grease interceptors, monitoring points and/or sewer lines in
a manner that allows solidified or emulsified FOG to be transported
into the Alpha Borough sewer system. This includes the improper use
of chemicals, hydraulic sewer line jetting without the subsequent
reclamation of dislodged FOG, steam cleaning or any other manner that
fails to ensure the removal of the FOG from the sewer system prior
to release into the downstream Alpha Borough sewer system.
D. Permit the installation of new or the replacement of existing food
grinders and/or garbage disposal units within the plumbing system
of any retail food establishment that generates FOG.
E. Dispose of waste cooking oil into the sewer system. All waste cooking
oil shall be collected and stored in leak-proof, securely covered
receptacles such as barrels or drums for recycling or an alternate,
approved method of disposal. Written documentation of disposal methods
must be maintained on site for a minimum of three years.
All businesses and properties that are required to have a grease
interceptor shall have a written grease control plan in accordance
with the following requirements. Applications for the grease control
plan shall be submitted to the Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility for
review.
A. New establishments.
(1) All new establishments which require a grease interceptor shall operate
under an approved grease control plan. Approval of the grease control
plan must be obtained prior to submission of applications for sewer
connection permits.
(2) The grease control plan shall be signed and sealed by a licensed
design professional and shall include, at a minimum, a completed Alpha
Borough Sewerage Utility application for grease control plan, detailed
plans, equipment listings, equipment specifications, calculations,
supporting documentation and operational directives. The plan shall
include all grease-related features and components planned for the
operation.
(3) The approved grease control plan shall be maintained on site and
shall be made immediately available to Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility
personnel, Board members, or authorized representatives (e.g., Utility
Engineer, licensed operator, etc.) upon request. Operational maintenance
records shall be retained on site for three years.
(4) Grease interceptors shall be designed and installed in accordance
with the manufacturer's specifications, the current Plumbing and Drainage
Institute guidance documents, and the National Standard Plumbing Code
in effect at the date of application for plumbing permits for the
project. EGIs shall be designed by a professional engineer and shall
meet the standards set forth in N.J.A.C. 7:9A-8.1.
(5) Any drain that may potentially receive FOG waste must be directed
through an approved grease interceptor. This includes but is not limited
to those leading from three-basin sinks, meat/poultry/fish food preparation
sinks, scullery sinks, pot wash sinks, floor drains and troughs, soup
kettles, woks, hood drains, dishwashers, pre-rinse stations and existing
food grinders.
(6) Grease recovery units, active grease removal components, or alternate
technologies for grease control may be permitted if the applicant
can demonstrate and certify that the discharge limitations set forth
in this article can be achieved.
(7) Grease interceptors shall be designed and located to facilitate easy
access for cleaning and inspection. Access openings, lids, and inspection
ports shall not be obstructed.
(8) A pre-rinse station must be installed immediately adjacent to every
automatic dishwasher and shall direct wastewater through a strainer
prior to release to the grease interceptor or grease recovery unit.
(9) New establishments which are heavy grease generators shall be required
to install an EGI. These include but are not limited to establishments
that operate fixtures similar in nature to a fryer, grill, charbroiler,
rotisserie, griddle, wok, or whose menu reflects foods with a high
grease or fat content and/or that serve a large population such as
a school, hospital, hotel, food court, commercial kitchen, cafeteria
serving a building over 20,000 square feet, conference center, or
similar facility. The Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility may waive this
requirement if the applicant presents sufficient convincing data to
demonstrate that the discharge of FOG into the sewers will be prevented
through alternative means.
(10)
EGIs shall be installed entirely on the owner's property.
(11)
Grease interceptors shall be sized in accordance with manufacturer's
specifications, the current PDI guidance documents, and the National
Standard Plumbing Code in effect at the date of application for plumbing
permits for the project. Design requirements and sizing formulas are
intended as a guide in determining grease interceptor sizes and shall
be considered the minimum sanitary sewer protection against prohibited
FOG discharge. In approving a design for a grease interceptor, the
Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility does not accept liability for the failure
of a system to adequately limit concentrations of FOG or to prevent
prohibited discharges of FOG. It shall be the responsibility of the
owner to ensure at all times that the appropriate level of treatment
and maintenance is provided to comply with this article.
(12)
Nonmonolithic tanks functioning as EGIs in which the seam is
below the liquid level shall be designed, installed and inspected
under the direction of a licensed professional engineer. Written,
signed and sealed leak testing results shall be submitted prior to
operation of the unit.
B. Existing establishments. Existing establishments which do not have
an Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility-approved grease control plan shall
develop and implement a written grease control plan in accordance
with the requirements of this article. Existing establishments shall
submit a grease control plan to the Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility
within 365 days from the effective date of this article. Grease control
plans for existing establishments that do not meet current standards
may be approved as "preexisting nonconformance" until such time as
the establishment is considered a new establishment (e.g., change
of ownership/use or major renovations). The grease control plan shall
at a minimum include:
(1) A schematic or plan showing the location of the existing grease interceptor(s)
or related equipment, including all drains and food-related equipment
that are tributaries to the grease interceptor.
(2) A listing of all food-related equipment on site that may potentially
discharge FOG, including, but not limited to the three-basin sinks,
meat/poultry/fish food preparation sinks, scullery sinks, pot wash
sinks, floor drains and troughs, soup kettles, woks, hood drains,
dishwashers, pre-rinse stations, and food/garbage grinders and disposals.
(3) Design specifications on the grease interceptor(s), including but
not limited to the manufacturer, model number, certification, and
grease retention capacity.
(4) Maintenance records, including contracts for professional servicing,
cleaning logs, and reclamation histories.
(5) Manufacturer details and maintenance logs and contracts on all chemical
additives, alarms, pump systems, filters or similar technologies installed
in association with grease control at the establishment.
(6) Existing establishments are required to comply with the grease control
plan approval process for new establishments as set forth above if
there is a change of ownership, change of use, the establishment undergoes
renovation, or there are documented violations of this article.
C. Multiuse properties.
(1) The owner of all nonresidential properties that have one or more
FOG-generating establishments must have a grease control plan as set
forth in this section. Multiuse properties include but are not limited
to shopping centers, malls, retail centers, office parks, and professional
centers.
(2) Multiuse properties that have existing FOG-generating establishments
shall submit a grease control plan to the Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility
within 365 days from the effective date of this article.
(3) Grease control plan.
(a)
The grease control plan for existing and proposed multiuse properties
shall, at a minimum, include the following:
[1]
Documentation signed and sealed by a licensed design professional.
[2]
A site plan locating sewer laterals, connections, manholes,
inspection ports, monitoring points, EGIs, and related elevations;
locations housing EGIs, grease retention capacities for EGIs and supporting
calculations.
[3]
Maintenance plans, self-inspection schedules and related documentation
for grease control of the property.
[4]
Written rules and requirements for FOG-discharging establishments
located on the property.
[5]
Contact names and phone numbers for grease-related emergencies.
[6]
Manufacturer's documentation and maintenance logs for all chemical
additives, alarms, pumps, filters or similar technologies installed
in association with FOG control on the property.
(b)
The Alpha Borough Sewerage Utility may waive or relax any of
these items for existing properties when, in its opinion, the release
of FOG into the sewer is not likely to occur or where the establishment
has demonstrated that the information is not available.
In the event it is determined that a blockage or interference
of the Alpha Borough sewer system is the result of the discharge from
any FOG-generating property, all costs incurred by the Alpha Borough
Sewerage Utility will be charged to the owner and/or tenant. Such
costs may include, but are not limited to, costs of investigating
the source of and clearing the blockage/interference; damages to sewer
lines and pump stations; laboratory testing; administrative, legal
and engineering costs; cleanup of pollution to surrounding soils or
water; and reimbursement of any penalties imposed by regulatory agencies.