Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program for Food Service

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City of Akron, Ohio Department of Public Service 166 S. High St., Rm. 201, Akron, OH 44308

Important Information for Food Service Establishments Regarding Discharge Practices.

Important Information for Food Service Establishments Regarding Discharge Practices.

Why an Enhanced FOG Program for Food Service Establishments (FSEs)? l

Requirement of US EPA

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Fats, oils and grease are a leading cause of sewer blockages in the sanitary and combination sewers.

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Blockages can cause Sanitary Sewer Overflows into local waterways and property backups into nearby homes and businesses.

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FSEs are the main contributors of FOG material to the sanitary sewers.

Need More Information?

How will the FOG Program Impact FSEs? l

Requires regular grease trap and interceptor cleaning to be performed and documented.

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Requires maintenance records to be maintained for 3 years and provided to the Summit County Public Health inspectors during routine inspections.

Questions? Please contact the City of Akron Water Pollution Control Station: (330) 375-2693

FOG Toolkit (published by the National Restaurant Association) http://www.foodserviceresource.com/FORMS%20&%20PDFS/FOG_ToolKit.pdf   Ohio EPA Restaurant Grease Fact Sheet (published by Ohio EPA) http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/41/sb/publications/restaurant.pdf

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program for Food Service Establishments

Why an Enhanced Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Control Program? RONALD L. WILLIAMSON Deputy Director

RICHARD A. MEROLLA Director of Public Service

DONALD L. PLUSQUELLIC Mayor DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE 166 S. High St., Room 201, Akron, OH 44308

EFFECTIVE February 1, 2013 RE: Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program Food Service Establishments      To all Food Service Establishment (FSE) Owners:   For more than 15 years, the City of Akron has been improving the operations of the sanitary and combined sewer systems to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements. As required by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), we must revise our current Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program to eliminate the discharge of FOG substances to Akron’s sewer system. The revised program applies to all dischargers that discharge FOG into a grease trap and/or interceptor. Since FSEs are major sources of FOG, Akron has prepared this brochure to highlight the revised discharge requirements and to assist FSEs in preparing for the revised requirements. Akron is not the only city facing this requirement. Nearly every city in the US with combined sewers is required to revise their FOG regulations. Legislation will be introduced soon, to Akron City Council, to adopt the new regulations. The revised program will enable the City, along with assistance from Summit County Public Health (SCPH), to ensure FSEs are properly disposing of FOG material and maintaining the grease traps and grease interceptors installed in their facilities. As part of this program, we are providing this brochure to inform you of the intent of the program and to offer additional sources of information. The costs associated with complying with the regulations should be minimal. For FSEs that are cleaning their properly sized grease traps and interceptors according to the frequencies defined in the ordinance, the primary impact of the FOG program will be to document and maintain records of your cleaning activities (see attached Sample Grease Hauler Manifest form). You may call the City of Akron Water Pollution Control Station at (330) 375-2693, if you have questions or concerns. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation with us to make this an effective program for keeping your sewers clean and the environment safe! Sincerely,

Richard Merolla, Director of Public Service

As a requirement of the USEPA Consent Decree, the City is required to develop and implement a FOG control program, specifically for Food Service Establishments (FSEs).   FOG control is desirable to maintain the proper operation of the wastewater collection and treatment systems. Grease is a major cause of sewer line blockages. When a blockage occurs, it can result in sewer backups and overflows. The new Sewer Use Ordinance rules and regulations further regulate the installation, operation and maintenance of FOG control devices and prohibit FOG disposal from Food Service Establishments within the City’s sewers and contributory sewer systems.

Who Does this Affect? The revised ordinance applies to all FSEs that discharge FOG into a grease trap and/or interceptor. Because FSEs are major sources of FOG, this brochure highlights the revised FOG requirements, which apply specifically to FSEs. An FSE is any establishment or facility that maintains a kitchen or other facilities for food preparation.  

What is the Purpose of the FOG Program?  The purpose of the program is to regulate the collection and disposal of grease interceptor waste for the protection of the City of Akron’s sanitary and combined sewer systems and the environment. l Promote the effective and efficient operation and maintenance of the sewer systems. l Prevent the accumulation of grease within the collection system lines.

What are the Program’s Revised Rules? A standard grease interceptor drawing (1,000 gallons) has been adopted by the City. l All wastewater that is discharged containing Fats, Oils, and Grease shall be discharged into a properly maintained and functioning grease trap and/or grease interceptor. l FOG as a byproduct of food preparation and/or cleanup shall be recycled or disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws. l FSEs shall maintain maintenance records for cleaning and disposal of grease trap and interceptor waste for a period of three (3) years and be available for review by the Summit County Public Health (SCPH) during routine inspections. l Use of emulsifiers, de-emulsifiers, surface active agents, enzymes, degreasers or any product that will liquefy FOG is prohibited. l Enforce minimum cleaning requirements for grease control devices including:: — Grease Traps shall be cleaned at least once every week. — Grease Interceptors shall be cleaned at least once every three months. — The Director of Public Service may specify more frequent cleaning when the cleaning frequencies are determined by the Director to be inadequate. — The cleaning frequency may be decreased if the owner or operator of the FSE is able to provide evidence that it has been able to operate longer without impairment to the operation of the facility’s sewer lateral and the public sewer system. l

How Will the Ordinance be Enforced? The City has entered into an agreement with SCPH to provide inspection services of FSEs suspected of violating the FOG control requirements. l The Summit County Building Department and City of Akron Sewer Division will be involved through their review of proposed FOG control devices required at FSEs within the City’s sewer system. l The City will be responsible for enforcement and levying of any fines or penalties resulting from violations of the FOG portions of the Sewer Use Ordinance. l