Town of Stratford, CT Part 4 Fats, Oils and Grease Pretreatment

[Adopted 3-4-2016 by Ord. No. 14-26]

Article XI Pretreatment Requirements

§ 172-101 Purpose.

The purpose of this article is to outline the wastewater pretreatment requirements for food preparation establishments and other commercial facilities that discharge fats, oils, and grease in their wastewater flow. All new and existing facilities that generate and discharge fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in their wastewater flow shall install, operate, and maintain a FOG pretreatment system. The requirements of this article shall supplement and be in addition to the requirements of the Town of Stratford's Code.

§ 172-102 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

AUTHORIZED DISCHARGE

A discharge authorized by this article.

CONTACT PERSON

The individual responsible for overseeing daily operation of the food preparation establishment and who is responsible for overseeing the food preparation establishment's compliance with the FOG pretreatment program.

FACILITY

Any food preparation establishment at which an authorized discharge occurs.

FATS, OILS AND GREASE (FOG)

Any fats, oils and grease generated from the food preparation process as identified by the most current EPA method as listed in 40 CFR 136.3.

FOG INTERCEPTOR

A passive tank installed outside a building and designed to remove fats, oils and grease from flowing wastewater while allowing wastewater to flow through it, and as further defined herein.

FOG PRETREATMENT SYSTEM

Refers to properly installed and operated FOG interceptors, FOG recovery units, and other alternate system as approved by the Water Pollution Control Authority.

FOG RECOVERY UNIT

All active indoor mechanical systems designed to remove fats, oils and grease by physical separation from flowing wastewater, as further defined herein.

FOOD PREPARATION ESTABLISHMENTS

Class III and IV food service establishments and any other facility discharging fats, oils and grease above the effluent limits in § 5(c)(2) of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewater Associated with Food Preparation Establishments,[1] such as, but not limited to, restaurants, hotel kitchens, hospital kitchens, school kitchens, bars, factory cafeterias and clubs.

NONRENDERABLE FATS, OILS AND GREASE

Fats, oils, and grease generated from food preparation processes that have been contaminated during the food preparation process, thereby prohibiting this material from being rendered.

NOTIFICATION OF APPROVED ALTERNATE FOG PRETREATMENT SYSTEM

Written notification from the Water Pollution Control Authority for authorization to install and/or operate an alternate FOG pretreatment system.

REGIONAL FOG DISPOSAL FACILITY

A treatment works that is permitted by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for the separation and disposal by incineration or other methods of FOG from the wastewater of a facility.

RENDERABLE FOG

Uncontaminated fats, oils and grease from the food preparation process that can be used as a source of material that is free of impurities and can be recycled into products such as animal feed and cosmetics.

RENDERABLE FOG CONTAINER

A closed, leakproof container for the collection and storage of food grade fats, oil and grease.

RENOVATION

Any physical modification of the facility's food preparation area, food service area and/or dining area in excess of $20,000 in any one calendar year, or a cumulative total in excess of $40,000 over any period of five years. The dollar value shall be the sum of all renovations for all building permits issued to a facility in a calendar year, for the food preparation, floor service and dining areas, as determined by the Town of Stratford's Building Official.

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY (WPCA)

The Stratford Water Pollution Control Authority, established pursuant to Section 7-246 of the Connecticut General Statutes, who shall be the authorized representative of the Town of Stratford.

[1] Editor's Note: See now the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewater Associated with Food Service Establishments.

§ 172-103 Required systems; application to install pretreatment system; responsibility for costs.

A. FOG pretreatment systems shall be provided for all new and existing food preparation establishments, including restaurants, cafeterias, diners, and similar nonindustrial facilities using food preparation processes. FOG pretreatment systems shall not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units.

B. All new food preparation establishments or establishments that change ownership as determined by the Water Pollution Control Authority shall submit an application to install a FOG pretreatment system prior to opening the facility. The FOG system must be installed and functioning within 30 days of the application approval date.

C. A renovation of the food preparation establishment shall require compliance with all conditions of this article as part of the renovation.

D. The Stratford WPCA may, as necessary, designate any area or areas of its sewer system as a problem area related to fats, oils and grease. Such designation shall be by a formal action of the WPCA and shall be based upon evidence of excessive fats, oils and grease, including sanitary sewer overflows, excessive maintenance or any means of inspection. Upon notification by the WPCA, any food preparation establishment within the problem area designation shall comply with all conditions of this article within a reasonable time schedule established by the WPCA.

E. All existing food preparation establishments which require a new FOG pretreatment system, as determined by the Water Pollution Control Authority, shall submit an application for the installation of a new FOG pretreatment system within 120 days of the enactment of this article. The application shall be in accordance with Town of Stratford's Town Code. The approved FOG pretreatment system shall be installed no later than July 1, 2015.

F. All existing food preparation establishments which have an existing FOG pretreatment system may, as determined by the Water Pollution Control Authority, keep the existing FOG pretreatment system in operation. Such facilities shall submit an application for an alternate FOG pretreatment system as described in § 172-106C. Such application shall be submitted within 120 days of the enactment of this article.

G. All costs and related expenses associated with the installation and connection of the FOG interceptor(s) or alternate FOG pretreatment system(s) shall be borne by the food preparation establishment. The food preparation establishment shall indemnify the Town of Stratford and its agents for any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly occur due to the installation of the FOG pretreatment system.

H. Applications to install a FOG pretreatment or an alternate FOG pretreatment system shall be submitted on standard forms provided by the WPCA and shall be accompanied by a fee of $50. A letter of intent or contract from the approved FOG cleaner/hauler shall be submitted as part of the application.

§ 172-104 Discharge limits.

A. No facility shall discharge or cause to be discharged any wastewater with a FOG concentration in excess of 100 milligrams per liter, as determined by the currently approved test for total recoverable fats and grease listed in 40 CFR 136.3, or in concentrations or in quantities that will harm either the sewers or water pollution control facility, as determined by the Water Pollution Control Authority.

B. At no time shall the pH of the wastewater discharged from the FOG interceptor, FOG recovery unit or other approved units, and prior to mixing with any other wastewater from the food preparation establishment, be less than five nor greater than 10 standard units at any time.

§ 172-105 Pretreatment system requirements.

A. An application for the design and installation of a FOG pretreatment system shall be subject to review and approval by the Director of Public Works per the Town of Stratford's Town Code and subject to the requirements of all other applicable codes, ordinances and laws.

B. Except as provided by § 172-106, the wastewater generated from food preparation establishments shall be treated to remove FOG using a FOG interceptor.

C. Every structure at the subject facility shall be constructed, operated and maintained in a manner to ensure that the discharge of food preparation wastewater is directed solely to the FOG interceptor or alternate FOG pretreatment system. No valve or piping bypass equipment that could prevent the discharge of food preparation wastewater from entering appropriate treatment equipment shall be present.

D. The contact person at each food pretreatment establishment shall notify the Water Pollution Control Authority when the FOG pretreatment system is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection and testing shall be made under the supervision of the plumbing inspector and/or the Water Pollution Control Authority.

E. All applicable local plumbing/building codes shall be followed during the installation of the FOG pretreatment system.

F. FOG interceptor requirements.

(1) The FOG interceptor shall be installed on a separate building sewer line servicing kitchen flows and shall be connected only to those fixtures or drains which would allow fats, oils, and grease to be discharged. This shall include:

(a) Pot sinks;

(b) Pre-rinse sinks;

(c) Any sink into which fats, oils, and grease are likely to be introduced;

(d) Soup kettles or similar devices;

(e) Wok stations;

(f) Floor drains or sinks into which kettles may be drained;

(g) Automatic hood wash units;

(h) Dishwashers without pre-rinse sinks; and

(i) Any other fixtures or drains that are likely to allow fats, oils or grease to be discharged.

(2) No food grinder shall discharge to the FOG interceptor.

(3) All wastewater flows connected to the FOG interceptor, FOG recovery unit or other approved units shall be screened to prevent solids from entering the treatment units. Screened solids shall be disposed of in accordance with the applicable solid waste regulations.

(4) No fixture or drain other than those listed in Subsection F(1) above shall be directly connected to the FOG interceptor unless approved by the Water Pollution Control Authority.

(5) No valve or piping bypass equipment that could prevent the discharge of wastewater associated with the food preparation establishment from entering appropriate treatment equipment shall be present at such food preparation establishment.

(6) An outdoor FOG interceptor shall have a minimum depth of four feet and a minimum detention time of:

(a) At least 24 hours of the maximum daily flow from the fixtures described in Subsection F(1) of this section based on water meter records or other methods of calculation as approved by the Water Pollution Control Authority; or

(b) One thousand gallons, whichever is greater.

(7) FOG interceptors shall have a minimum of two compartments. The two compartments shall be separated by a baffle that extends from the bottom of the FOG interceptor to a minimum of five inches above the static water level. An opening in the baffle shall be located at mid-water level. The size of the opening shall be at least eight inches in diameter but not have an area exceeding 180 square inches.

(8) FOG interceptors shall be watertight and constructed of precast concrete, or other durable material. FOG interceptors shall be located so as to be accessible for convenient inspection and maintenance. No permanent or temporary structures or containers shall be placed directly over the FOG interceptor. FOG interceptors installed in areas subject to traffic shall be designed to accommodate traffic loading.

(9) FOG interceptors constructed of precast concrete shall meet the following requirements:

(a) All concrete FOG interceptors shall be fabricated using minimum 4,000 psi concrete, per ASTM standards, with four- to seven-percent air entrainment.

(b) The FOG interceptor shall have a minimum liquid depth of 36 inches, measured from the bottom of the tank to the outlet invert.

(c) The air space provided between the liquid height and the underside of the tank top shall be a minimum of eight inches.

(d) All structural seams and/or lifting holes shall be grouted with nonshrinking cement or similar material and coated with a waterproof sealant. In areas where seasonal high groundwater is at an elevation greater than the bottom of the FOG interceptor, but below the top of the FOG interceptor, the exterior top, sides and bottom shall be coated with a waterproof sealant creating a watertight condition for the tank. In areas where seasonal high groundwater is at an elevation greater than the top of the FOG interceptor, the exterior of the manhole extensions to grade shall be coated with a waterproof sealant creating a watertight condition for the extension.

(e) The manhole cover shall be placarded with the warning "Entrance into the tank could be fatal."

(f) Voids between the FOG interceptor's walls and inlet and outlet piping shall be grouted with nonshrinking cement and coated with a waterproof sealant.

(g) The liquid capacity of the tank shall be marked on top of the tank between the outlet access hole and the outlet wall or on the vertical wall between the top of the tank and the top of the outlet opening.

(h) The invert elevation of the inlet shall be between three inches and six inches above the invert elevation of the outlet.

(10) All nonconcrete septic tanks must be approved for use by the Water Pollution Control Authority.

(11) Separate cleanout covers shall be provided over the inlet and outlet of the FOG interceptor so as to provide easy access for inspection and cleaning. Cleanout ports shall be fitted with manhole extensions to grade. In areas subject to traffic, the extensions shall be ductile or cast iron frames and round manhole covers. Where concrete covers are used, the lid must either have a minimum weight of 59 pounds or contain a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized entrance. The manholes, extensions and outlet access holes to the FOG interceptor shall have a minimum inside diameter of 17 inches.

(12) The inlet and outlet piping shall be PVC meeting ASTM D1785 Schedule 40 with rubber compression gaskets or solvent weld couplings. The joints must meet ASTM D3212 specifications. The Water Pollution Control Authority may approve other piping materials for use. The minimum diameter of the inlet and outlet piping shall be four inches. The inlet and outlet shall utilize a tee-pipe fitting on the interior of the FOG interceptor. No caps or plugs shall be installed on the tee-pipes. The tee-pipe on the inlet and outlet shall extend to within 12 inches of the bottom of the tank and at least five inches above the static liquid level of the tank.

(13) The FOG interceptor shall be set level on a consolidated, stable base that has been mechanically compacted, with a minimum of six inches of crushed stone so that no settling or tipping of the FOG interceptor can occur. Select backfill shall be placed and compacted around the FOG interceptor in a manner to prevent damage to the tank and to prevent movement caused by frost action.

(14) The outlet discharge line from the FOG interceptor shall be directly connected to the municipal sanitary sewer.

(15) The FOG interceptor shall be located so as to maintain the separating distances from well water supplies set forth in Section 19-13-B51d of the Public Health Code.

(16) The following minimum separating distances shall be maintained between the FOG interceptor and the items listed below:

(a) Property line: 10 feet.

(b) Building served (no footing drains): 15 feet.

(c) Groundwater intercepting drains, footing drains and storm drainage systems: 25 feet.

(d) Open watercourse: 50 feet (subject to Inland Wetland Commission approval).

(17) When necessary due to installation concerns, testing for leakage will be performed using either a vacuum test or water-pressure test.

(a) Vacuum test. Seal the empty tank and apply a vacuum to two inches of mercury. The tank is approved if 90% of the vacuum is held for two minutes.

(b) Water-pressure test. Seal the tank, fill with water, and let stand for 24 hours. Refill the tank. The tank is approved if the water level is held for one hour.

§ 172-106 Alternate FOG pretreatment systems.

A. When it is not practical for the food preparation establishment to install an outdoor, in-ground FOG interceptor per § 172-105, an alternate FOG pretreatment system may be utilized upon approval by the Water Pollution Control Authority and upon receiving a notification of approved alternative FOG pretreatment system. Approval of the system shall be based on demonstrated (proven) removal efficiencies and reliability of operation. The Water Pollution Control Authority will approve these systems on a case-by-case basis. The contact person may be required to furnish analytical data demonstrating that FOG discharge concentrations do not exceed the limits established in this article.

B. Alternate FOG pretreatment systems shall consist of a FOG recovery unit meeting the requirements of Subsection D below, unless there are special circumstances that preclude such installation, as approved by the Water Pollution Control Authority and in accordance with Subsection E.

C. Alternate FOG pretreatment systems shall meet the requirements of § 172-105A through E, shall be installed immediately downstream of each of the fixtures and drains listed in § 172-105F(1), and shall meet the requirements of § 172-105F(2), (3) and (5).

D. Alternate FOG pretreatment system requirements.

(1) FOG recovery units shall be sized to properly pretreat the measured or calculated flows using methods approved by the Water Pollution Control Authority.

(2) FOG recovery units shall be constructed of corrosion-resistant material, such as stainless steel or plastic.

(3) Solids shall be intercepted and separated from the effluent flow using a strainer mechanism that is integral to the unit.

(4) The FOG recovery units shall operate using a skimming device, automatic draw-off, or other mechanical/hard-wired electrical means to automatically remove separated FOG. This automatic skimming device shall be controlled using a timer or level control. The operation of the automatic skimming device shall be field-adjustable. The FOG recovery unit's timer shall be set to operate the unit no less than once per day.

(5) FOG recovery units shall be fitted with an internal or external flow-control device to prevent the exceedence of the manufacturer's recommended design flow.

(6) FOG recovery units shall be located to permit frequent access for maintenance and inspection.

E. Other alternate FOG pretreatment systems.

(1) Other alternate FOG pretreatment systems that do not meet the requirements of § 172-105F or § 172-106D may be considered for approval by the Water Pollution Control Authority on a case-by-case basis. The application shall include:

(a) Documented evidence that the proposed alternate FOG pretreatment system will not discharge FOG concentrations that exceed the discharge limits per § 172-104.

(b) Plans and specifications for the proposed system, including plans and profile of system installation, manufacturer's literature, documentation of performance and any other information detailing the proposed alternate system.

(c) A written operation and maintenance plan, which shall include the schedule for cleaning and maintenance, copies of maintenance log forms, a list of spare parts to be maintained at the subject facility, and a list of contacts for the manufacturer and supplier. Following receipt of written notification of approved alternate FOG pretreatment system from the Water Pollution Control Authority, the operation and maintenance plan shall be maintained on the premises. The plan shall be made available for inspection on demand by the Water Pollution Control Authority.

(d) A written FOG minimization plan, which shall include procedures for all food preparation establishment employees to minimize FOG entering the wastewater collection system.

(e) A description of a FOG pretreatment training program for food preparation establishment employees in FOG minimization procedures.

(2) A notification of approved alternate FOG pretreatment system may be granted for a duration not to exceed three years, with extensions, when demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Water Pollution Control Authority that the proposed alternate FOG pretreatment system, operation and maintenance plan, FOG minimization plan and FOG pretreatment training program are adequate to maintain FOG concentration in the wastewater discharge below the limits set in § 172-104.

§ 172-107 Pretreatment equipment maintenance.

A. The FOG pretreatment system shall be maintained continuously in satisfactory and effective operation, at the food preparation establishment's expense.

B. The contact person shall be responsible for the proper removal and disposal, by appropriate means, of the collected material removed from the FOG pretreatment system.

C. The contact person may use hot water, steam, chemicals, or biological additives in the normal course of facility maintenance, but may not intentionally use hot water, steam, physical means, chemicals, or biological additives that will cause the release of fats, oils, and grease from the FOG interceptor, FOG recovery unit or other approved unit.

D. The contact person shall ensure that the FOG interceptor is inspected when pumped to ensure that all fittings and fixtures inside the interceptor are in good condition and functioning properly. The depth of grease inside the tank shall be measured and recorded in the maintenance log during every inspection, along with any deficiencies and the identity of the inspector.

E. The contact person shall determine the frequency at which its FOG interceptor(s) shall be pumped, according to the following criteria:

(1) The FOG interceptor shall be cleaned by a subsurface sewage disposal cleaner whenever 25% of the operating depth of the FOG interceptor is occupied by fats, oils, grease, and settled solids, or a minimum of once every three months, whichever is more frequent. Cleaning of FOG interceptors shall include the complete removal of all contents, including floating materials, wastewater and settled sludge. Decanting back into the FOG interceptor shall not be permitted, FOG interceptor cleaning shall include scraping excessive solids from the walls, floors, baffles and all piping.

(2) If the contact person can provide data demonstrating that less frequent cleaning of the FOG interceptor will not result in a grease level in excess of 25% of the operating depth of the FOG interceptor, the Water Pollution Control Authority may allow less frequent cleaning. The contact person shall provide data, including plumbing receipts, for four consecutive cleanings of the FOG interceptor, complete with a report from the grease trap/interceptor cleaner indicating the grease level at each cleaning, and the FOG interceptor maintenance log.

(3) A maintenance log shall be maintained in the premises and shall include the following information: dates of all activities; volume pumped; grease depth measured at the time of inspection; and any maintenance work or changes in equipment associated with such discharge that has taken place since the last inspection; grease trap/interceptor cleaner's name, title and signature; location of the waste disposal; means of disposal for all material removed from the FOG interceptor; and the name of the individual recording the information. The maintenance log and grease trap/interceptor cleaner's receipts shall be made available to the Water Pollution Control Authority for inspection on demand. Interceptor cleaning, inspection records and all cleaning and maintenance logs and analytical results from any monitoring elected to be done by the owner of the food preparation establishment shall be maintained on file a minimum of five years.

F. All material removed and hauled from FOG pretreatment systems must be performed by a subsurface sewage disposal cleaner or entity approved by the Water Pollution Control Authority. Pumped material shall be disposed of at a regional FOG disposal facility.

G. The contact person shall be responsible to submit maintenance reports to the Water Pollution Control Board every two years. Reports shall be submitted before July 1 in each odd year (2013, 2015, 2017, etc.). The contact person shall notify the WPCA within 30 days of changing approved FOG cleaners/haulers.

H. The contact person shall be responsible for the cost and scheduling of all actions needed to comply with this article. The contact person shall be notified, in writing, of violations of this article by the Water Pollution Control Authority. Actions to comply with this article shall be completed within the time limits as given below:

	Violation	Days from Inspection to Correct Violation
	Equipment not registered	30
	Equipment not properly installed	90
	Major violations (outdoor and indoor)	30
	Major violations	90

I. If the required actions to comply with this article are not corrected within the time limits specified in Subsection H, the property owner may be fined an amount as determined by the WPCA, not to exceed $500.

§ 172-108 FOG minimization.

A. The contact person shall make every practical effort to reduce the amount of FOG contributed to the sewer system.

B. Renderable fats, oils and grease shall be stored in a separate, covered, leakproof, renderable FOG container, stored out of reach of vermin, and collected by a renderer.

C. Small quantities of FOG scraped or removed from pots, pans, dishes and utensils shall be directed to the municipal solid waste stream for disposal.

§ 172-109 Recording and reporting violations.

A. If any analytical results from monitoring data elected to be done by the contact person or owner of the food preparation establishment, or other information, indicates that a violation of an effluent limitation or another condition of this article has occurred, the contact person shall immediately take steps to identify, correct and mitigate the results of any and all conditions causing or contributing to such violation and shall take reasonable steps to prevent further such violation. A log of such violations shall be maintained on site and contain, at a minimum, the following information:

(1) The condition(s) or effluent limitation(s) violated;

(2) The analytical results or other information demonstrating such violation;

(3) The cause of the violation, if known;

(4) Dates and times during which the violation continued;

(5) If the violation was not corrected immediately upon being discovered, the anticipated time it is expected to continue and, upon correction, the date and time of correction;

(6) Steps taken and planned to reduce, eliminate and prevent a reoccurrence of the violation, and the dates such steps have been or will be executed;

(7) The name, title and signature of the individual recording the information and the date and time of such recording.

B. The contact person shall be required to report, in writing, such violation and such corrective action to the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Water Pollution Control Authority within five days of the contact person's learning of such violation.

C. All reports made by the contact person shall be certified in the following manner: "I have personally examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this document and all attachments thereto, and I certify that, based on reasonable investigation, including my inquiry of those individuals responsible for obtaining the information, the submitted information is true, accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that a false statement made in the submitted information may be punishable as a criminal offense, in accordance with Section 221-6 of the Connecticut General Statues pursuant to Section 53a-157b of the Connecticut General Statutes and in accordance with any other applicable statute."

D. If any analytical results indicate the pH exceeds the limitation listed in § 172-104 by greater than one unit or lower than one unit, or that fats, oils, and grease exceed the limitation listed in § 172-104, the contact person shall immediately notify the Water Pollution Control Authority.

E. Immediately upon learning or having reason to believe that an authorized discharge may cause or has caused a sewer blockage, or may adversely affect the operations of the Stratford sewer system, the contact person shall immediately notify the Water Pollution Control Authority and the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.