No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with, or open into, use, alter, disturb, introduce a new discharge or substantially change the volume or character of pollutants currently discharged to any public sanitary sewer, storm sewer, or appurtenance thereof, without first obtaining a written permit from the Director.
[Amended 4-17-2019 by Order No. FY 19-125; 9-21-2022 by Order No. FY 23-034]
A.
Building sewer and connection permit. There shall be two classes of building sewer connection permits. Application fees for both shall be reviewed periodically by the Director and set forth in the Water and Sewer Customer Service Policy.
(1)
Residential service: living units that contribute only domestic wastes to the POTW. Permit and inspection fees shall be payable to the City of Greenfield. A permit application shall be made to the City 30 days prior to the date of the proposed connection. The application form is attached as Appendix A.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is on file in the City offices.
(2)
Nonresidential service: permit for all commercial and industrial services. Permit and inspection fees shall be payable to the City of Greenfield. A permit application shall be made to the City 90 days prior to the date of the proposed connection. The application form is attached as Appendix B.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is on file in the City offices.
B.
Industrial discharge permit. All industrial discharges to the POTW shall apply for an industrial discharge permit as outlined in Article V, § 355-33B. The application form used is the same as Subsection A(2) above, and attached as Appendix B.[3] Sections I and II of the form must be completed.
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is on file in the City offices.
C.
DEP permit for sewer system extension or connection. Any person identified in 314 CMR 7.00, MGL c. 21, § 27(12) and § 43, is required to obtain a permit from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) pursuant to 314 CMR 7.03. Information on how to obtain a permit application is attached as Appendix C.[4] A permit application shall be submitted to the City for approval prior to the owner forwarding the application to DEP for final approval. The applicant should submit this permit application to the City at least 120 days prior to the date on which the owner desires to make a sewer system extension or connection to be constructed.
[4]
Editor's Note: Appendix C is on file in the City offices.
D.
Excavation/Trench permit. In addition to the building sewer permit, the owner must obtain an excavation/trench permit from the DPW where subsurface work is to be done on public property, private property or within the public way. A copy of the form is attached as Appendix D.[5]
[5]
Editor's Note: Appendix D is on file in the City offices.
E.
Priority development sites. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where the development of a priority development site (PDS), as defined by § 200-2.1 of the Zoning Ordinance, requires one or more permits in accordance with this § 355-6, application(s) therefor shall be submitted simultaneously with any other permit application(s) required by the City Code, including the Zoning Ordinance, relating to the use or development of land, buildings or structures and not otherwise exempted by MGL c. 43D, and decision(s) thereon shall be rendered no later than 180 days from said date of submission.
[Amended 9-21-2022 by Order No. FY 23-034]
Building sewers shall be installed by the owner from the sewer main to the building. A building sewer permit will be required and the pipe and fittings, inclusive of the connecting fitting at the sewer main, shall be furnished by the owner. The owner shall excavate, backfill, and restore the site. All new services will require an inspection from the DPW prior to burial.
[Amended 4-17-2019 by Order No. FY 19-125]
All costs and expense incident to the installation, connection and use of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation, connection, and use of the sewer system. The owner shall further indemnify the City from any loss or damage from sewer backups, overflows, or blockages.
A separate and independent building sewer shall be provided for every building; except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot and no private sewer is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, court, yard, or driveway, the building sewer from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building sewer.
Old building sewers may be used in connection with new buildings only when they are found, on examination and test by the Director, to meet all requirements of these regulations.
[Amended 9-21-2022 by Order No. FY 23-034]
A.
All single-family dwellings shall have a minimum four-inch diameter building sewer. All dwellings of more than one family shall have a building sewer of a size acceptable to the Director.
B.
Polyvinylchloride pipe for residential building sewers shall be Class SDC 35, ASTM D3034-81 with rubber-gasketed joints and sleeves. Other types of pipe may be used for building sewers with the approval of the Director, who shall specify the type of joint and the strength class to be used. Commercial and industrial building sewers shall be Class SDC 31, polyvinylchloride or such other material as shall be required by the Director to handle safely the type of wastes to be transmitted.
C.
The minimum slope of a four-inch building sewer shall be 0.005 foot per foot or approximately 1/16 inch per foot. In cases where physical limitations necessitate a flatter slope, the Director shall be consulted.
D.
The building sewer shall, in general, be laid in a straight line from building drain to the sewer main. Should any changes in any direction be required, the method to be used shall be as approved by the Director.
E.
The building sewer shall not be laid in the same trench with the water service. Sewers shall be laid in separate trenches not less than 10 feet apart horizontally and shall be separated by undisturbed earth. Should it be necessary, as determined by the Director, to lay the building sewer and the water service nearer than 10 feet apart horizontally, then the manner of such laying together, with materials to be used and vertical separation, shall be as specified by the Director.
F.
If the length of a building sewer is to exceed 200 feet, the owner shall install a sewer cleanout as required by the Director. If the length of the building sewer is to exceed 400 feet, a manhole shall be installed every 200 feet on the service.
G.
When required by the Director, the owner of any property serviced by a building sewer carrying industrial wastes shall install a suitable control manhole, together with such necessary meters, and other appurtenances in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling, and measurement of the wastes. Such manhole, when required, shall be accessible and safely located, and shall be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the Director. The manhole shall be installed by the owner at his expense, and shall be maintained by him so as to be safe and accessible at all times.
H.
The minimum depth of cover above all building and sewer connections and lines shall be three feet from top of pipe to finished grade.
Whenever possible, the building sewer shall be brought to the building at an elevation below the basement floor. In all buildings in which any building drain is too low to permit gravity flow to the public sewer, sanitary sewage carried by such building drain shall be lifted by an approved means and discharged to the building sewer.
No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, exterior foundation drains, areaway drains, or other sources of surface water runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly to a public sanitary sewer.
[Amended 9-21-2022 by Order No. FY 23-034]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect residents, businesses and the environment within the City of Greenfield from blockages of the City’s sewer system caused by the accumulation of fats, oils and grease in the sewer system discharged from restaurants, food service establishments, and institutional kitchen facilities. These blockages can cause backups and overflows into residences and other buildings, and the environment, and are a serious health concern.
B. 248 CMR AGENT DISCHARGE LIMIT FOG (FATS, OILS, GREASE) FOG PRETREATMENT SYSTEM FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT GREASE GREASE TRAP GREASE INTERCEPTOR NONCOMPLIANCE FEE PERMITTED WASTE HAULER SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATIONS WASTE GREASE OR OIL
Definitions.
Massachusetts State Plumbing Code Regulations.
Any duly authorized agent of the Greenfield Department of Public Works (DPW).
One hundred milligrams of fats, oils, and grease per liter of wastewater or equivalent concentration that can cause a blockage to the municipal sewer system.
Organic polar compounds derived from animal and/or plant sources that contain multiple carbon chain triglyceride molecules.
Consists of an internal grease trap and/or an external grease interceptor.
Includes, but is not limited to, any facility preparing and/or serving food for commercial or institutional use or sale. This includes restaurants, cafes, lunch counters, cafeterias, hotels, hospitals, convalescent homes, factory or school kitchens, catering kitchens, bakeries, grocery stores with food preparation and packaging, meat cutting and preparation (excluding grocery stores with only food warming operations), meat packing facilities and other food handling facilities not listed above where fats, oil and grease may be introduced into the municipal sewer system.
A material, either liquid or solid, composed primarily of fat, oil, and grease (FOG), from animal and vegetable sources. In food service, there are two types of waste FOG generated during food preparation and cleaning processes: Brown grease is grease that is recovered from grease traps and interceptors. Yellow grease is inedible oil and grease that comes directly from fryers and other cooking equipment.
A grease control device which is used to serve individual fixtures (internal unit). The device is located adjacent to or in close proximity to a kitchen fixture, and is designed to collect, contain or remove food wastes and grease from the kitchen waste stream, allowing the liquid portion to discharge to the sewer system.
A multi-compartmented device (external unit) located underground and outside of a food service establishment designed to collect, contain and remove food wastes and FOG from the kitchen waste stream, while allowing the liquid portion to discharge to the sewer system. FOG is separated from the kitchen waste stream by gravity as it moves from one compartment to another.
Fee assessed for failure to comply with the requirements of this section.
Any waste hauler issued a valid permit by the Greenfield Board of Health to dispose of FOG and/or sanitary septage.
Any renovation to a food service establishment that would increase the number of permitted seating capacity or would alter in any way the kitchen facility.
Leftover grease or oil generated by a food service establishment during the cooking process.
C.
General provisions.
(1)
A food service establishment or other facility that generates FOG as a by-product shall install a suitable FOG pretreatment system that conforms to state regulations 248 CMR 10.09(2), properly treats discharge not to exceed the discharge limits set by this section (100mg/l) and gets the approval of the Greenfield DPW.
(2)
All establishments for which this section applies, new or existing, are required to file with the Greenfield DPW a schematic drawing of the wastewater system for their facility that includes all equipment and drains (including floor drains) that are connected to the sewer system. In addition, a list of equipment, maximum flow rates and equipment manufacturer’s specification must be also provided. These documents must be updated upon any renovations or new installations to be kept on record with the Greenfield DPW.
(3)
The Greenfield DPW may at any time require the installation, upgrade and/or relocation of a FOG pretreatment system, as deemed necessary to maintain any sewer pipe from obstructions caused by waste grease or oil. The establishment shall be responsible for any and all costs for installing and maintaining said system.
(4)
Any newly built food service establishment or those undergoing substantial renovations shall install an external grease interceptor, with a minimum 1,500-gallon capacity, or an internal grease trap. Any food service establishment with seating capacity greater than 25 seats shall be required to install and properly maintain an external grease interceptor. Either pretreatment system must be sized according to the manufacturer and in compliance with 248 CMR and must be located so as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
(5)
Internal grease traps shall be inspected, serviced and cleaned at least monthly by a professional drain cleaner, licensed plumber or permitted waste hauler. The Greenfield DPW may amend the frequency for internal grease trap cleanings and maintenance.
(6)
An external grease interceptor shall be pumped, inspected and serviced by a permitted waste hauler at least every three months or at a frequency deemed necessary to prevent any potential blockage.
(7)
A copy of the "Grease Trap/Interceptor Maintenance Log” shall be kept on site and maintained relative to the operation/maintenance of any FOG pretreatment system. This log shall be readily accessible for review by a City agent.
(8)
All pumping and hauling records shall be properly maintained on a regular basis and readily accessible for review by a City agent.
(9)
Waste grease and oil shall not be disposed by means of the sanitary sewer. Waste grease and oil shall be collected in an appropriate container from an approved vendor and stored on the premises in a location deemed acceptable to the Greenfield Board of Health and Greenfield DPW. The container shall be stored on an impervious surface, such as concrete or pavement, and in a sheltered area to prevent entry of precipitation and vermin. While stored, the container must be sealed and the surrounding area kept in sanitary conditions at all times.
(10)
All temporary food service establishments and events that use, generate, or store FOG will be required to have a written FOG management plan before a temporary food service permit will be issued.
D.
Restrictions and prohibitions.
(1)
Sink water temperatures shall not exceed 140° F.
(2)
Dishwashers shall be discharged through an internal grease trap or external grease interceptor per the requirements of 248 CMR 10.09, regardless of water temperature.
(3)
Food waste grinders are not allowed to be connected to an internal grease trap or external grease interceptor per 248 CMR 10.09.
(4)
The use of emulsifying agents such as solvents, acids and caustics, and other toxic and/or hazardous chemicals, and petroleum products known to have uses as a de-clogger or degreaser is prohibited.
(5)
The use of bacterial or enzymatic treatments to improve discharge flow is prohibited, except in certain cases prior approval may be obtained from the Greenfield DPW. Any such usage shall not be a substitution for adequate maintenance.
E.
Inspections.
(1)
Inspection of cleaning and maintenance records for all waste grease or oil removal and treatment systems shall be part of regular inspection of a food service establishment. A food service establishment inspection may be unannounced but occur during regular business hours.
(2)
Records pertaining to removal and treatment of waste grease or oil shall be maintained by the owner or operator within the premises of the food service establishment for no less than two years. Upon request by a City agent, a food service establishment owner or operator shall furnish all records required to enforce and monitor compliance with this section.
(3)
During an inspection, a City Agent may apply oil-soluble dyes to the waste stream to identify (by color) the FOG of any given establishment in order to determine if said establishment may be a cause of a failure or obstruction in a sewer pipe.
(4)
A City agent may inspect any food service establishment, with reasonable cause, suspected of exceeding a discharge limit for their wastewater.
F.
Corrective actions.
(1)
The Greenfield DPW may order the installation of a FOG pretreatment system, including but not limited to an internal grease trap or an external grease interceptor, if a food service establishment is found to have caused, or likely to cause, a blockage to the municipal sewer system.
(2)
Newly built food service establishments or those undergoing substantial renovations shall install the appropriate FOG pretreatment system according to this section in conjunction with the overall construction project. Locations of grease traps and interceptors must comply with 248 CMR 10.09(1)(b)1a, b, c.
(3)
All food service establishments shall install an internal grease trap or an external grease interceptor within one year of the adoption of this section.
G.
Variances and waivers.
(1)
A request for a variance or waiver shall be applied for in writing from the Greenfield DPW. The reasons for the request must be clear and specific. Any variance or waiver allowed by the Greenfield DPW shall be issued in writing. Any denial of a variance or waiver request shall also be issued in writing and shall contain a statement of the reasons for a denial. Any such approval or denial shall be made within 30 days of receipt of the request.
(2)
Adequate documentation, which includes but is not limited to an on-going waste grease or oil service program, logs from a permitted waste hauler, and the absence of any sewer pipe blockage incident may serve as evidence for granting a waiver or variance pursuant to Subsection G(3) of this section.
(3)
The Greenfield DPW may grant a waiver or variance from the requirements of this section for:
(a)
Operation and maintenance (O&M) frequencies. Any application for an O&M variance must be accompanied by a written letter from the food service establishment’s O&M contractor and system provided;
(b)
The type of FOG pretreatment system required; or
(c)
The imposed time frame for correcting a violation.
(5)
Financial hardship is not in itself proper grounds for a variance or waiver request.
H.
Violations and penalties.
(1)
Written notice of a violation of this section shall be given to the owner and operator of a food service establishment by a City agent, specifying the nature, time, and date of the violation, and any preventative measure required to avoid future violations, and the time frame for completing any necessary corrections.
(2)
Continued noncompliance with any requirement of this section or failure to correct an existing violation may result in a noncompliance fee per day of violation retroactive to the start of the noncompliance. Noncompliance fees shall be specified in the City’s Water and Sewer Customer Service Policy.
(3)
Any person that violates this section shall be liable for any expense incurred by the City as a result of such violation, including, but not limited to, any or all of the following costs: legal costs or fees; administrative fees; loss; disposal, cleanup or maintenance fees; penalties; or damages.
(4)
The City of Greenfield may enforce the provisions of this section by any and all civil and equitable procedures.
[Amended 9-21-2022 by Order No. FY 23-034]
The connection of the building sewer into the public sewer or private sewer main as specified in § 355-5 shall conform to the requirements of the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code and applicable rules and regulations of the DPW. All such connections shall be made gastight and watertight. Any deviation from the prescribed procedures and materials must be approved by the Director before installation.
The applicant for a building sewer permit who has laid the building sewer shall notify the Director when the building sewer is ready for inspection. No backfilling shall take place until the sewer service has been inspected.
[Amended 4-17-2019 by Order No. FY 19-125]
All excavations for building sewer installation shall be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the City.