[Adopted 10-10-2016 by Ord. No. 1816]
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the following terms and phrases, as used in this article establishing rules and regulations, shall have the meanings hereinafter designated:
COMMERCIAL GREASE TRAP PERMIT
A permit document used by the City of DuBois to regulate the discharge of fats, oils and greases (FOG) from food service establishments and other sources of FOG.
FATS, OILS AND GREASES (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 the United States Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR 136, as may be amended from time to time. All are sometimes referred to herein as "grease" or "greases."
FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
Those establishments primarily engaged in activities of preparing, serving or otherwise making available for consumption by the public food, such as but not limited to restaurants, bars and clubs, mobile food trucks, commercial kitchens, caterers, hotels, schools, hospitals, prisons, correctional facilities, and care institutions. These establishments use one of more of the following food preparation activities: cooking by frying (all methods), baking (all methods), grilling, roasting, toasting or poaching. Also included are infrared heating, searing, barbecuing and any other food preparation activity that produces a hot, nondrinkable food product in or on a receptacle that requires washing.
GREASE INTERCEPTOR
A structure or device designed for the purpose of removing and preventing fats, oils and grease from the sanitary sewer collection system. These devices are often below-ground units in outside areas and are built as two- or three-chamber baffled tanks.
GREASE TRAPS
A device for separating and retaining waterborne greases and grease complexes prior to the wastewater entering the sanitary sewer collection and treatment system. Such traps are considered under-the-sink units that are near food preparation areas.
PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS or POTW
A treatment works which is owned by a state or municipality. This definition includes any devices and systems used in the storage, treatment, recycling and reclamation of municipal sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid nature. It also includes sewers, pipes and other conveyances only if they convey wastewater to a POTW treatment plant. The term also means the municipality which has jurisdiction over the indirect discharges to and the discharges from such a treatment works.
USER
Any person, including those located outside the jurisdictional limits of the City of DuBois, who contributes to, causes or permits the contribution or discharge of wastewater into the sewers within the City's service area and who operate a grease trap or grease interceptor for the removal of FOG.
All permitted food service establishments or other establishments where grease is introduced into the DuBois sewerage system in quantities sufficient to cause line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment are subject to the following requirements:
A. 
All permitted food service establishments or other establishments where grease is introduced into the DuBois sewerage system in quantities sufficient to cause line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment are required to install, operate and maintain an approved type and adequately-sized grease interceptor necessary to maintain compliance with the objectives of this article. All grease interceptors must meet the requirements of the City of DuBois plumbing codes.
B. 
All existing food establishments, or other establishments determined by the City Engineer to have reasonable potential to adversely impact the City's sewer system or hinder the wastewater treatment system will be notified in writing of their obligation to install a grease interceptor within the specified period set forth in the notification letter.
C. 
Variance from grease interceptor requirements. Grease interceptors required under this section shall be installed unless the DuBois Wastewater Department determines the installation of a grease interceptor would not be feasible. The City of DuBois may authorize the installation of an indoor grease trap where the installation of a grease interceptor is not feasible due to space constraints or other considerations.
D. 
Grease interceptors for kitchen wastes shall be installed so that they will receive all kitchen wastes except those from food waste grinders. Grease interceptors shall be installed immediately outside the building where there is easy access for cleaning, unless it is impractical; in which case they may be installed at a location approved by the City of DuBois.
E. 
The grease interceptor shall be inspected every 30 days and cleaned as necessary to remove the grease wastes. The materials removed in cleaning shall be removed from the premises for proper disposal and not deposited in the plumbing or sewerage systems.
F. 
All grease interceptors for discharging to the City of DuBois sewer system must be registered and permitted by the City of DuBois, using a permit and registration application available from the office of the City Engineer.
Grease interceptor design shall conform to the following:
A. 
Grease interceptors shall be constructed in accordance with design approved by the City of DuBois and shall have a minimum of two compartments with fittings designed for grease retention.
B. 
All interceptors shall be of such capacity and volume as to retain the liquid for a sufficient length of time to permit the separation of FOG from the other wastes before they are discharged into the building drain or sewer. Minimum hydraulic retention time shall be calculated using the Grease Interceptor Sizing Worksheet of the Uniform Plumbing Code. If necessary, strainers shall be installed to retain and collect solid materials one-half inch or larger in any dimension.
C. 
Grease interceptors shall be installed at a location where it shall be easily accessible for inspection, cleaning and removal of grease. The grease interceptor may not be installed in any part of the building where food is handled. Location of the grease interceptor must meet the approval of the City of DuBois.
D. 
Sanitary wastes are not permitted to be connected to sewer lines intended for grease interceptor service.
E. 
Access manholes with a minimum diameter of 24 inches shall be provided over each grease interceptor chamber. The access manholes shall extend at least to finished grade and be designed and maintained to prevent water inflow or infiltration. The manholes shall also have readily removable covers to facilitate inspection, grease removal and wastewater sampling activities.
F. 
The grease interceptor shall be installed with the interior inlet piping having a 90° elbow with a minimum of an eighteen-inch inlet pipe.
G. 
The grease interceptor shall be installed with the outlet side piping of the interceptor supplied with a sanitary tee with a minimum of an eighteen-inch outlet pipe.
A. 
All grease interceptors shall be serviced and emptied of accumulated waste content as required by the City of DuBois grease trap and interceptor permit. These devices should be inspected at least monthly and cleaned as indicated by inspection. Users who are required to maintain a grease interceptor shall remove any accumulated grease cap and sludge pocket as required. Grease interceptors shall be kept free of inorganic solid material such as grit, rocks, gravel, sand, eating utensils, cigarettes, shells, towels, rags, etc., which could settle into this pocket and thereby reduce the effective volume of the device.
B. 
The user shall maintain a written record of inspection and maintenance for three years. All such records will be available for on-site inspection by representatives of the City of DuBois during all operating hours.
C. 
Abandoned grease interceptors shall be pumped and either filled with clean, hard fill, or crushed and then backfilled with clean fill material and stabilized per City of DuBois requirements.
A. 
Upon approval by the City of DuBois, a grease trap complying with this section must be installed in the waste line leading from sinks, drains and other fixtures or equipment in food service establishments where grease may be introduced into the drainage or sewer system in quantities that can affect line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment or private sewage disposal.
B. 
Grease trap sizing shall conform to the Standard PD1-G101, Table 8.3.2, Procedure for Sizing Grease Interceptors, provided by the Plumbing and Draining Institute.
C. 
No grease trap shall be installed which has a stated rate of flow of more than 55 gallons per minute, or less than 20 gallons per minute, except when specifically approved by the City Engineer or the Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager.
D. 
Grease traps shall be maintained in efficient operating conditions by removal of the accumulated grease. No such collected grease shall be introduced into draining piping or public or private sewer. Grease traps should be cleaned monthly or as often as necessary to ensure compliance with the objectives of this article.
E. 
No food waste disposal unit or dishwasher shall be connected to or discharged into any grease trap. Wastewater in excess of 104° F. or 40° C. shall not be discharged into grease traps.
No food service establishments or other establishments where grease is introduced into the DuBois sewerage system in quantities sufficient to cause line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment shall allow wastewater discharge concentration from subject grease interceptor, grease trap or alternative pretreatment technology to exceed 100 milligrams per liter, as defined by EPA Test Method 413. The City of DuBois has the authority to require the user to install a sampling manhole between the interceptor/grease trap and its sanitary lateral that discharges to the DuBois Wastewater Treatment Plant.
A. 
All grease traps and interceptors for discharging to the City of DuBois sewer system must be registered and permitted by the City of DuBois, using an application available from the office of the City Engineer.
B. 
All existing permitted food service establishments or other establishments where grease is introduced into the DuBois sewerage system in potential quantities sufficient to cause line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment must apply within 90 days of the effective date of this article. The completed permit application in the form prescribed by the City must be accompanied by an application fee of $100. The City reserves the right to assess additional charges and fees to cover any reasonable costs incurred by the City in reviewing and processing the permit application and to increase the application fee by resolution. Proposed new users shall apply at least 90 days prior to connecting to or contributing to the POTW.
The City shall inspect the facilities of any user to ascertain whether the purpose of this article is being met and all requirements are being complied with. Persons or occupants of premises connected to the sewer system shall allow the City or its representative(s) ready access at all reasonable times to all parts of the premises necessary for the purpose of inspection, sampling, records examination (including the right to inspect and copy records) or in the performance of any of their duties. The right of access for inspection shall extend to, but not necessarily be limited to, food preparation areas, food waste storage and disposal areas, cleaning areas and grease interceptor/trap areas. The City shall have the right to set up, on the user's property, such devices as are necessary to conduct sampling, inspection, compliance monitoring and/or metering operations.
The conditions and requirements of this article are applicable to all users connected to the system and operating a grease trap or grease interceptor. The conditions and requirements of this article shall be incorporated into the user's permit either expressly or by reference. The permittee has a duty to comply with all of the conditions of this article. Any noncompliance constitutes a violation of this article and is subject to appropriate enforcement action, including but not limited to permit revocation or denial of a permit renewal application.
A. 
The Manager of the City of DuBois may issue an emergency notice to the user to immediately halt or prevent a discharge to the POTW which, in the opinion of the Manager, reasonably appears to cause sanitary sewer blockage, inhibition of the wastewater treatment plant operations, or may result in significant property damage. For the purpose of this paragraph, an emergency notice to a user may be issued by a telephone call, an on-site inspection/visit, a cease and desist order, or any combination of these methods.
B. 
In the event that a user should fail to voluntarily comply with an emergency notice to immediately halt or prevent a discharge to the POTW, the Manager shall take whatever action he deems necessary, including immediate severance of the sewer connection, to prevent or minimize damage to the sanitary sewers, the wastewater treatment plant, or to prevent significant property damage. The costs associated with any such emergency action shall be assessed to the user, and the City shall not be responsible for any damages, including loss of income, as a result of such emergency action.
C. 
The City shall authorize permission to resume a discharge that has been halted under the emergency action provisions of this § 340-53 upon satisfactory proof that the imminent danger has been eliminated. Within 25 days after the date of any such emergency action, the user shall submit to the City a detailed written statement describing the cause or causes of the harmful contribution that necessitated the emergency action and the measures that will be taken to prevent any future occurrence of the incident.
A. 
The City may revoke a user's commercial grease trap permit and suspend wastewater treatment service or deny a permit renewal application for any of the following causes:
(1) 
Determination by the City that the discharge presents or may present an endangerment to the environment, threatens to interfere with the operation of the POTW, or which may cause significant property damage.
(2) 
Failure of the user to disclose fully all relevant facts during the permit application or issuance process, or the user's misrepresentation of any relevant facts at any time.
(3) 
Falsifying monitoring or compliance reports.
(4) 
Refusal of reasonable access to the user's premises for the purpose of inspection or monitoring.
(5) 
Willful and knowing failure to comply with any conditions of the user's permit or this article.
B. 
In the event of a nonemergency situation, where the City has determined that a user's discharge presents or may present a threat to the environment or the operation of the POTW, or where revocation of a user's commercial grease trap permit is warranted as an enforcement action, the City shall, after formal written notification to the affected user and provision of ample opportunity for the user to respond, revoke the user's commercial grease trap permit.
A. 
Except in cases of emergency situations subject to the provisions of § 340-52 hereof, whenever the City determines that a user has violated or is violating any prohibitions, limitations, or requirements of the user's permit or any other provision of this article, the City may issue by certified mail a formal written notification stating the nature of the violation. Within 30 days after the receipt of the notification of violation, the user shall correct the deficiency or violation or shall submit to the City a proposed plan and schedule for correcting the violation. However, all violations result in immediate liability, and the City may seek such penalties and/or take other enforcement action as it deems necessary during this response period.
B. 
In the case of procedural violations, a user may correct the violations by fulfilling the duties or requirements that are deficient. The City shall review the actions taken by the user to determine whether or not the violation has been adequately corrected. Failure to correct a violation within a reasonable time period may result in further enforcement action.
C. 
In the case of discharge violations, the user may correct the violations by improving operations and maintenance, or by installing new grease traps and/or interceptors. The City shall review a proposed plan and schedule submitted by the user to determine whether or not the plan is adequate to correct the violations. The City may require modifications to the plan and schedule. The City may modify the user's permit to incorporate a reasonable schedule of compliance to implement an acceptable action plan. In no case will any such compliance schedule exempt a user from further enforcement action by the City for the discharge violations or from enforcement action for failure to meet a compliance date.
A. 
Except in the case of emergency situations subject to the provisions of § 340-53 of this article, whenever the City deems it necessary to take enforcement action, including revocation of the user's permit under the provisions of this article, the City may issue the affected user a formal written notification of the proposed enforcement action by certified mail. Such notice shall state the basis for the proposed action and the reasons for the City's tentative action.
B. 
The user shall be afforded a minimum period of 30 days within which to comment on the proposed action and to submit to the City a written request for a meeting with the City to appeal the proposed action. All requests for an appeal meeting shall clearly state the specific action or provision(s) of the proposed action that is being appealed and the grounds upon which the appeal are based. Any supporting evidence that is relevant to the appeal must also be submitted with the request for appeal. The City may deny the appeal request on the basis of insufficient grounds or may schedule a meeting for the user to present the appeal to the City. As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the review period or the appeal meeting, the City shall issue to the user a formal written notification of the intended enforcement action and its conclusions. It must also be noted that all violations result in immediate liability, and the City may seek such penalties and/or take such other enforcement action as it deems necessary during the thirty-day response period.
The City is hereby empowered to enter into consent orders, assurance of voluntary compliance, or other similar documents establishing an agreement with the user responsible for the noncompliance. Such orders will include specific action to be taken by the user to correct the noncompliance within a time period that shall be specified in the order.
When the City finds that a user has violated or continues to violate this article or a permit or order issued thereunder, the City may issue a compliance order to the user responsible for the discharge directing that, following a specified time period, sewer service facilities, devices or other related appurtenances have been installed and are properly operated. Orders may also contain such other requirements as might be reasonably necessary and appropriate to address the noncompliance, including the installation of grease traps or grease interceptors, additional self-monitoring and/or specific management practices.
When the City finds a user has violated or continues to violate this article or any permit or order issued hereunder, the City may issue an order to cease and desist all such violations and direct the user in noncompliance to:
A. 
Comply forthwith; and
B. 
Take such appropriate remedial or preventative actions needed to properly address a continuing or threatened violation, including halting operations and terminating the discharge.
A. 
In certain cases, such as those involving revocation of a user's permit, the City may order a user to show cause before the City why the proposed enforcement action should not be taken. A notice shall be served on the user, specifying the time and place of a hearing to be held by the City regarding the violation; the reasons why the action is to be taken; the proposed enforcement action; and directing the user to show cause before the City why the proposed enforcement action should not be taken. The notice of the hearing shall be served personally or by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) at least 10 days before the hearing. Service may be made on any agent or officer of a corporation.
B. 
The City may itself conduct the hearing and take evidence or may designate any of its members or, in conjunction with the affected user, the City may designate an arbitrator or board of arbitration to:
(1) 
Issue in the name of the City notices of hearings requesting the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relevant to any matter involved in such hearings;
(2) 
Take the evidence; and
(3) 
Transmit a report of the evidence and hearing, including transcripts and other evidence, together with the recommendation from the City for action thereon.
C. 
At any hearing held pursuant to this article, testimony taken must be under oath and recorded stenographically. The transcript, so recorded, will be made available to any member of the public or any party to the hearing upon payment of the usual charges thereof.
D. 
After the City has reviewed the evidence, it may issue an order to the user responsible for the discharge, directing that, following a specified time period, the sewer service be discontinued unless adequate grease traps or grease interceptors have been installed and are properly operated and maintained. Further orders and directives as are necessary and appropriate may be issued.
When the City finds that a user has violated or continues to violate any provision of this article, a discharge permit, or n order issued hereunder, the City may petition the Court of Common Pleas of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, through its Solicitor, for the issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction, as appropriate, which restrains or compels the specific performance of the discharge permit, order, or other requirement imposed by this article on activities of the user.
A. 
Any person who is found to have violated an order of the City Manager or City, or who fails to comply with any provision of this article, or the orders, rules, regulations and/or permits issued hereunder by the City Manager or City of DuBois, shall, upon conviction, be subject to pay a fine of not more than $600 and the costs of prosecution and, in default of payment of fines and costs, to undergo imprisonment for not more than 30 days, for each and every offense. Each day's continuation of a violation shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to the penalties recommended herein, the City shall be able to recover court costs, court reporter's fees, and any other expense of litigation by appropriate suit at law against the person found to have violated the provisions of this article.
B. 
Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation or certification in any application, record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be maintained under the provisions of this article, or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required under this article, shall, upon conviction, be subject to pay a fine of not more than $600 and costs of prosecution and, in default of payment of fines and costs, to undergo imprisonment for not more than 30 days, for each and every offense. Each day's continuation of a violation shall constitute a separate offense. In addition to the penalties recommended herein, the City shall be able to recover court costs, court reporter's fees, and any other expense of litigation by appropriate suit at law against the person found to have violated the provisions of the City's orders or this article.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article or who discharges or causes a discharge which produces a deposit or obstruction or otherwise causes damage to or impairs the operation of the public sanitary sewerage system and/or wastewater treatment plant shall be liable to the City for any expenses, losses or damages caused by such violation or discharge. The City shall bill the user for the costs incurred by the City for any cleaning, repair, replacement work and/or employee costs caused by the violation or discharge. Refusal to pay the assessed costs shall constitute a violation of this article and shall be subject to further enforcement actions and penalties in accordance with the provisions of this article.
A. 
Any user who has violated or continues to violate this article or any order or permit issued hereunder shall be liable to the City for a civil penalty of not more than $600, plus actual damages incurred by the City per violation per day for as long as the violation continues. In addition to the above-described penalty and damages, the City may recover reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and other expenses associated with the enforcement activities, including, but not limited to, sampling and monitoring expenses. Each day that such violation is committed or permitted to continue after notice of violation shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.
B. 
The City shall petition the Court of Common Pleas of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, to impose, assess and recover such sums. In determining the amount of liability, the Court of Common Pleas shall take into account all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the extent of harm caused by the violation, the magnitude and duration, any economic benefit gained through the user's violation, corrective actions by the user, the compliance history of the user, and any other factors as justice permits.
A. 
Each sewerage service charge, additional charge, surcharge and penalty imposed by this article, together with interest at a rate of 12% per annum from the expiration of 30 days after the date upon which it shall become due, shall be a debt due the City and shall be a lien on the property served, and if not paid within 30 days after it shall become due, shall be deemed delinquent. In such event, the City may proceed to file a lien in the office of the Prothonotary of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and to collect the same in the manner provided by law for the filing and collection of municipal claims.
B. 
In the event of failure to pay any sewerage service charge, additional charge, surcharge, or penalty after they become delinquent, as herein provided, the City shall be authorized to remove or close the sewer service connection and shall have the right to enter upon the property serviced for such purpose and to take such steps as may be necessary to accomplish such removal or closing. The expense of restoring any such service shall likewise be a debt due the City and a lien on the property serviced and may be filed and collected as hereinabove provided. Such sewage service connection shall not again be turned on or the sewage service restored, until all sewer service charges, including the expense of removal, closing and restoration, shall have been paid or adequate provisions for their payment shall have been made.
C. 
Change of ownership or occupancy of any property served by the public sanitary sewage system as to which the sewer service charge, additional charge, surcharge or penalty imposed by this article is delinquent shall not be cause for reducing or eliminating the rights and remedies of the City set forth in this article.
This "Commercial Grease Trap and Interceptor Ordinance" is a supplement to the City's existing Sewer Use Ordinance of 1988, as amended. The portions of the existing ordinance and all other ordinances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent or conflicting with any part of this article, are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency or conflict. All other portions of the existing sewer use ordinance not in conflict herewith are reaffirmed as if set forth at length herein.