Alhambra Municipal Code Ch. 16.38 Protection of Sanitary Sewer System from Discharge of Fats, Oils, And…

(A) BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES means schedules of activities, prohibitions of practices, maintenance procedures, and other management practices to prevent or reduce pollutants in discharges, to implement the prohibitions listed in National Pretreatment Standards pursuant to 40 CFR 403.5(a)(1) and (b), and prevent the discharge of substance that may contribute to sanitary sewer overflows. BMPs also include treatment requirements, operating procedures, and practices to control plant site runoff, spillage or leaks, sludge or waste disposal, or drainage from raw material storage.

(B) FATS, OILS, AND GREASE (FOG) means non-petroleum 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 procedures established in the United States Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 136, as may be amended. All are sometimes referred to herein as “grease” or “greases”.

(C) FOG DISPOSAL SYSTEM means any grease interceptor that reduces fats, oils and grease in effluent by separation, and mass volume reduction.

(D) FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT (FSE) means a facility engaged in preparing food for consumption by the public such as a bakery, restaurant, commercial kitchen, caterer, hotel, school, country club, banquet facility, religious institution, hospital, prison, correctional facility, or care institution.

(E) GRAVITY GREASE INTERCEPTOR means a plumbing appurtenance or appliance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept FOG from wastewater discharge and is identified by volume, 30-minute retention time, baffle(s), a minimum of two compartments, a minimum total volume of 750 gallons, and gravity separation.

(F) GREASE INTERCEPTOR means a plumbing appurtenance or appliance thai is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept FOG from wastewater discharge.

(G) GREASE REMOVAL DEVICE (GRD) means any hydro mechanical grease interceptor that automatically or mechanically removes FOG from the interceptor, the control of which are either automatic or manually initiated.

(H) GREASE TRAP means a multi-baffle, single compartment, 10 to 50 gallon capacity device, serving one(l) to a maximum of four (4) fixtures designed for the removal of FOG from food service establishment discharges and installed prior to the effective date of this ordinance.

(I) HYDRO MECHANICAL GREASE INTERCEPTOR means a plumbing appurtenance or appliance that is installed in a sanitary drainage system to intercept FOG from a wastewater discharge and is identified by flow rate, separation and retention efficiency. The design incorporates air entrainment, hydro mechanical separation, interior baffling, and/or barriers in combination or separately, and one of the following:

(1) External flow control, with air intake (vent): directly connected.

(2) External flow control, without air intake (vent); directly connected.

(3) Without external flow control, directly connected.

(4) Without external flow control, indirectly connected.

(J) ILLICIT DISCHARGE means any discharge to the sanitary sewer system that is prohibited under local, state, or federal statutes, ordinances, codes, or regulations. Illicit discharges include all non-domestic sewage discharges not permitted under the provisions of this Section and discharges through connections to the sanitary sewer system, either directly or through satellite collection systems, not authorized pursuant to Chapter 16.24 of the AMC.

(K) INTERFERENCE means a discharge which, alone or in conjunction with a discharge or discharges from other sources:

(1) Inhibits or disrupts the Publicly Owned Treatment Works, its treatment processes of operations, or its sludge processes, use or disposal; and

(2) Is therefore a cause of a violation of any requirement of the Publicly Owned Treatment Work’s NPDES permit (including an increase in the magnitude or duration of a violation) or of the prevention of sewage sludge use or disposal in compliance with the following statutory provisions and regulations or permits issued there under (or more stringent state or local regulations): Section 405 of the Clean Water Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act (including Title II, more commonly referred to as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and including the state regulations contained in any sludge management plan prepared pursuant to Subtitle D of the SWDA), the Clean Air Act, and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act.

(3) Inhibits operation, disrupts, or causes a condition within the sanitary sewer system that may cause excessive maintenance or a sanitary sewer overflow.

(L) SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS (SSO) means any overflow, spill, release, discharge or diversion of untreated or partially treated wastewater from a sanitary sewer system. SSOs include:

(1) Overflows of untreated or partially treated wastewater that reach water of the United States;

(2) Overflows or releases of untreated or partially treated wastewater that do not reach waters of the United States; and

(3) Wastewater backups into buildings and onto private properties that are caused by blockages or flow conditions within the publicly owned portions of a sanitary sewer system.

(M) SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRIAL USER (SIU) means that except where the control authority of a Publicly Owned Treatment Works has found an industrial user to be exempt pursuant to 40 CFR 403.3(v)(2) and (v)(3):

(1) All industrial users subject to categorical pretreatment standards under 40 CFR 403.6 and 40 CFR Chapter 1, Subchapter N; and

(2) Any other industrial user that discharges an average of 25,000 gallons or more of process wastewater to a publicly owned treatment works (excluding sanitary, non-contact cooling and boiler blow down wastewater), contributes a process waste stream which makes up 5 percent or more of the average dry weather hydraulic or organic capacity of the publicly owned treatment plant, or is designated as such by the publicly owned treatment works control authority on the basis that the industrial user has a reasonable potential for adversely affecting the publicly owned treatment works operation or for violating any pretreatment standard or requirement.

(N) SLUG DISCHARGE means any discharge of a non-routine, episodic nature, including, but not limited to an accidental spill or a non-customary batch discharge, which has a reasonable potential to cause interference or pass through, or in any other way violate the publicly owned treatment work’s regulations, local limits or permit conditions. Discharge of prohibited material in any concentration shall be considered a slug discharge.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

The Director of Public Works, or his/her representative, shall investigate and determine the probable cause of an actual or potential SSO incident. In the course of any such investigation, the director or his/her representative may enter the premises of any discharger to the sanitary sewer system to determine the presence of potential sources of FOG, inspection of the FOG disposal systems, review wastewater disposal procedures, ascertain if BMPs are in place and adequate, review records, photograph disposal systems, and take samples and other measures in order to determine the cause or sources of an SSO. Section 16.38.20 notwithstanding, where the director or his/her designee determines that additional, improved, upgraded, repaired or more frequently maintained FOG removal systems are required to prevent the contribution to actual or potential SSOs, the director or his/her representative may serve notice on the discharger to implement such improvements. Such notice may include prohibitions against unauthorized dischargers, timetables, and/or deadlines.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

Where a discharger is required to install and maintain a FOG disposal system pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter and/or is found to be a potential uncontrolled source of FOG, the director or his/her representative may require that the discharger develop and implement a FOG control program. Where required, such a program is subject to the approval of the director or his/her representative. Such a program may be required to include, but is not limited to the following provisions:

(A) A plan and schedule for the education and training of personnel or employees that may dispose of FOG containing effluent to the sanitary sewer system.

(B) The development of source control measures to minimize the discharge of FOG to the sanitary sewer system and maximize the efficiency of any required FOG disposal system and/or GRD.

(C) A plan and schedule for the removal and legal disposal of FOG removed from effluent by a FOG disposal system and/or GRD. When so required by the Department of Public Works Utilities Division, such a plan and schedule may include the maintenance of a log record detailing cleaning, repair, inspection, accidental spill, and disposal events in connection with the system or device. The department staff shall have access to any required log during reasonable business hours and may specify a time period during which such a log is maintained.

(D) A description of facilities used to store removed FOG prior to disposal and measures taken to prevent accidental and/or uncontrolled discharge of FOG to the sanitary sewer system, sidewalks, parking lots, streets, gutters, storm drains, or other private or public property.

(E) A description of equipment and supplies, including the location of such materials, available for the cleanup of accidental and/or uncontrolled spills of FOG or similar materials.

(F) The posting in a conspicuous place of notification requirements to the City or other specified entity in the event of any accidental and/or uncontrolled spill of FOG or similar materials that leave or may be carried off the discharger’s premises.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

The Director or his/her designee may develop minimum standards for the performance, construction, installation and maintenance of FOG disposal systems, gravity grease interceptors, GRDS, hydro mechanical grease interceptors, and/or components associated with such devices. The City shall set the frequency for inspections by staff to determine compliance. Evaluation of BMPs will be conducted by City staff.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

Where the City has determined that installation of a FOG disposal system at a food service establishment is necessary to protect the sanitary sewer system, such installation shall be subject to plan review. The City may authorize multiple food service establishments to discharge through a single FOG disposal system, provided that each establishment enters into an agreement with a single entity that maintains the device.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

Unless specifically required or permitted by the City, no food waste disposal unit, garbage grinder or dishwasher shall be connected to or discharge into any FOG disposal system. Commercial food waste disposers shall discharge directly into the building’s sewage drainage system.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

Garbage resulting from the preparation of food may be discharged into the public sewer, if ground to a fineness sufficient to pass through a three-eighths inch screen. Ground garbage, dishwasher effluent or other ground food wastes shall not be discharged into any FOG disposals system. Excessive or unnecessarily large quantities of water shall not be used to flush ground garbage into the sewer.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

Each FOG disposal system shall be installed at a location shown on plans approved by the City. Such systems shall be located in an area that is at all times easily accessible for inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and removal of the recovered FOG in a manner that does not require entry into a food or utensil handling areas as follows:

(A) Hydromechanical grease interceptors shall not be installed in a food or utensil handling area unless specifically approved by the Department of Public Health. Plumbing fixtures and equipment connected to such device shall be provided with an approved type of flow control so that the total How through the device or devices shall not be greater than the rated flow of the grease interceptor.

(B) Grease removal devices (GRDS) shall be installed as provided for hydro mechanical grease interceptors in subsection (A) with the additional provision that the storage of removed FOG also be outside food and utensil handling areas in a secure location that protects against the accidental spill of grease into floor drains, parking lots, catch basin, storm drains, sidewalks, streets, or gutters and is protected from inundation by storm water flows.

(C) Gravity grease interceptors shall be installed outside of the structure containing the kitchen, food, or utensil handling area(s) in a location affording ease of inspection, maintenance, and servicing without entry to the structure unless otherwise approved by the City and the health officer of the County. Such devices shall be designed and sized to retain FOG until accumulations can be removed by pumping the interceptor. When so required by the department, gravity grease interceptors shall be equipped with an approved sample box.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

(A) Grease removal device required.

(1) The owner of every commercial or industrial facility with one or more grease generating activities shall install or cause to be installed a grease removal device for each grease generating activity, of a size equal to or greater than the minimum size set forth in the following table based on the number of Drain Fixture Units (DFU).

Sizing Criteria:

Sizing Criteria:

(2) All grease removal device(s) shall be installed on the premises where FOG is used or generated.

(3) Installation of any food waste disposer (grinder) at any FSF is prohibited.

(4) No FSE shall utilize a food waste disposer (grinder) for the purpose of food waste disposal to the sanitary sewer.

(5) All grease generating drainage fixtures shall connect to a GRD, including but not limited to, pre-rinse sinks, three compartment sinks, two compartment sinks, mop or janitor sinks, food preparation sinks, floor drains in dishwashing areas and kitchens, etc. All drainage fixtures in dishwashing room, except for dishwashers, shall connect to a GRD; i.e. small drains prior to entering a dishwasher, small drains on busing counters adjacent to pre-wash sinks, silverware soaking sinks, and floor drains. All wok stoves, rotisserie ovens/broilers or other grease generating cooking equipment and exhaust hoods with drip wastewater lines shall connect to a GRD. All kettles and tilt/braising pans and associated floor drains/sinks shall connect to a GRD.

(6) No high temperature kitchen equipment discharges shall be allowed to connect through any type of GRD. Discharge of wastewater from dishwashers, pasta cookers, other hot lines and non-grease generating fixtures to any GRD is prohibited unless authorized by the City.

(7) FSEs shall have a sink or other areas for cleaning floor mats, containers, exhaust hood filters and equipment, which is connected to a GRD. The sink or cleaning area shall be large enough to clean the largest mate or piece of equipment to be cleaned.

(8) All in-ground GRDS greater than 750 gallons in capacity shall have a minimum of three manholes to allow visibility over each inlet piping, baffle piping and outlet piping to ensure accessibility for inspection, cleaning, and removal of all contents. Two manholes may be allowed under certain conditions only upon approval of the City. Nothing shall be allowed to be stored on top of any manholes.

(9) GRDS shall be installed in a suitable location that will allow access for inspection, cleaning and maintenance.

(10) Laterals installed between a FSE and GRD, also between the GRD and the City’s main, shall include installation of two-way cleanouts as required to allow access points for sewer line maintenance and inspection.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

(A) Maintenance requirements.

(1) FSEs shall not have staff clean out the GRD as a substitute for a professional grease waste hauler. If a FSE utilizes an automatically or mechanically cleaning GRD, its staff shall properly maintain.

(2) All GRDs shall be kept in good repair, functioning properly and shall be maintained in continuous operation according to manufacturer’s guidelines and the City’s requirements.

(3) Sewer lines to and from GRDs shall be kept in good repair and clear of any buildup of FOG that could potentially contribute to backups and/or SSOs.

(4) All FOG discharged during GRD or sewer line cleaning and maintenance shall be captured. Any FSE that has their kitchen grease waste lines, exit lines from a GRD and/or laterals cleaned by jetting or hydro flushing shall have the contractor capture the contents removed from the line to prevent SSOs, depending on the main size that the lateral feeds into. All contents removed from sewer lines shall be contained and disposed of properly by a licensed contractor.

(5) No additives may be introduced to the GRDS or a FSEs wastewater system for the purpose of emulsifying FOG or biologically/chemically treating FOG for grease remediation or as a supplement to interceptor maintenance unless a specific written authorization from the City is obtained. Systems or additives, such as solvents or enzymes that dissolve or mobilize FOG are prohibited.

(6) All GRDS shall be completely cleaned out by a registered waste hauler prior to the closure of an FSE, the associated building or a change in ownership.

(B) GRD maintenance frequency.

(1) The maintenance frequency shall be set so as to ensure that the minimum hydraulic retention time and available hydraulic volume is maintained to effectively intercept and retain FOG and minimize the passage of FOG to the sanitary sewer collection system. The maintenance frequency for all FSEs with a GRD shall be determined by one of the following methods:

(a) GRDS shall be fully pumped out and cleaned at a frequency such that the combined FOG and solids accumulation does not exceed 25% of the total design hydraulic depth in any location of the GRD. The 25% rule shall apply to all GRDS.

(b) The entire contents of all grease interceptors (gravity grease interceptors) and GRDs greater than 100 gallons shall be removed every three months or more frequently as to prevent FOG from entering the sanitary sewer.

(c) The entire contents of all grease traps (hydro mechanical grease interceptors) shall be removed every month or more frequently as to prevent FOG from entering into the sanitary sewer.

(d) The entire contents of all automatically or mechanically cleaning GRD shall be removed every six months or more frequently as to prevent FOG from entering into the sanitary sewer.

(2) The maintenance frequency may be adjusted when sufficient data have been obtained to establish an appropriate frequency based on the guidelines adopted pursuant to the FOG program.

(a) The City may modify the maintenance frequency at any time to reflect changes in actual operating conditions in accordance with the FOG program. Based on the actual generation of FOG from the FSE, the maintenance frequency may increase or decrease.

(b) The owner/operator of a FSE may submit a request to the City requesting a change in the maintenance frequency at any time. The FSE has the burden of responsibility to demonstrate that the requested change in frequency reflects actual operating conditions based on the average FOG accumulation over time and meeting the requirements described in subsection (B)(1)(a), and that it is in full compliance with the conditions of this ordinance. Upon determination by the City that the requested revision is justified accordingly to reflect the change in maintenance frequency.

(c) If the GRD, at any time, contains FOG and solids accumulation that does not meet the requirements described in subsection (B)(1)(a), the FSE shall have the GRD serviced immediately such that all FOG, solids, and other materials are completely removed from the GRD.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

(A) Segregation and collection of waste cooking oil.

(1) No person shall dispose of any grease, or cause any grease to be disposed, by discharge into any drainage piping, by discharge into any public or private sanitary sewer, by discharge into any storm drain system, or by discharge to any land, street, public way, river, stream or other waterway. All waste cooking oils shall be collected and stored properly in tallow receptacles such as barrels, drums, or bins for recycling or other acceptable method of disposal.

(2) Segregated waste grease and oil bins (tallow bins) shall be in a place at the location of any FSE that creates grease or oil from the use of fryers, automatically or mechanically cleaning GRDS which need FSE staff maintenance, rotisserie drip lines not connected to a GRD or any other type of grease and oil waste created by cooking or cleaning of equipment. FSE staff, not limited to kitchen staff, shall properly dispose of grease or oils from cooking equipment into an oil/grease receptacle such as a tallow bin, barrel, or drum. Appropriate measures shall be taken to eliminate spills. Absorbent material shall be immediately available each time the waste oil/grease is emptied into the tallow bin or segregated receptacle. The transporting of waste oil/grease shall be conducted with a covered and sealed container.

(3) Tallow bins or used waste oil and grease container areas shall be kept clean. Containers shall be covered with lids and free from excessive fats, oil, and grease and debris. Housekeeping procedures shall be put in place and signs posted.

(4) FSEs with improperly maintained tallow bins shall relocate the bins to a covered location to reduce the risk of spills and discharges to the storm drain collection system. The tallow bin shall be repositioned in a covered trash enclosure or inside the facility in compliance with all local and state regulations.

(B) Tallow hauler.

(1) Tallow haulers servicing FSEs shall replace tallow containers with clean ones to reduce the risk of spills and discharges to the storm drain system.

(2) Tallow haulers servicing FSEs shall clean up all spills created during the collection and transporting, whether it is on the containers, bins, barrels, or on the ground.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

(A) GRD and plumbing record keeping. The FSE shall retain all manifests, receipts, and invoices of all cleaning, maintenance, grease removal of/from the GRD, disposal carrier and disposal site location for at least three years. Such records, which include at a minimum the following, shall be made immediately available for inspection and copying to the City representative upon request:

(1) A logbook of grease interceptor, grease trap, or grease control device cleaning and maintenance practices.

(2) Copies of records and manifests of waste hauling GRD contents. The grease haulers shall leave at the facility site, a manifest with the following information:

(a) Name of the site pumped

(b) Street address

(c) Date and time pumped

(d) Temperatures (inlet and outlet)

(e) Loading in GRD (% of FOG and bottom solids)

(f) Volume collected

(g) Hauler name

(i) Truck ID#

(j) Any observed GRD structural problems

(k) Final destination of material collection

(l) Manifest must be signed

(3) Records of sampling data and sludge height monitoring for FOG and solids accumulation in the GRDS.

(4) Records of any sanitary sewer overflows, backups, spills, and/or cleaning of the lateral or sewer system.

(5) A record of Best Management Practices (BMPs) being implemented including employee training.

(6) Any other information deemed appropriate by the City to ensure and document compliance with this ordinance.

(B) Tallow bin record keeping. The FSE shall keep all manifests, receipts and invoices of all oil/grease removal from the FSE, disposal carrier and disposal site location for no less than three years. The FSE shall, upon request, make the manifests, receipts, and invoices available to any City representative. These records may include:

(1) A logbook of all segregated oil bins cleaning and maintenance practices.

(2) A record of Best Management Practices (BMPs) being implemented including employee training.

(3) Copies of records and manifests of waste hauling activities.

(4) Records of any spills and/or cleaning.

(5) Annual training for existing FSE staff, not limited to the kitchen staff, and immediate training for all new FSE staff, shall be documented and employee signatures retained indicating each employee’s attendance and understanding of the practices. Training records shall be available for review at any reasonable time by the City representative.

(6) Any other information deemed appropriate by the City to ensure compliance with the ordinance.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

(A) Existing facilities.

(1) Alternate materials and methods may be approved in response to practical difficulties and specifically for facilities for which a building permit was issued prior to the effective date of the Ordinance, and not subject to subsection (A)(2). subsection (A)(3) or subsection (B) of this section. The City is authorized to modify any of the provisions of these rules and regulations upon application in writing by the owner, a lessee, or a duly authorized representative where there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, provided that the purpose of these rules and regulations, as set forth in Section (Purpose), shall be complied with, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such modification and the decision of the City shall be entered upon the records of the facility and a signed copy shall be furnished to the applicant.

(2) The owner of every commercial or industrial generator of grease, including FSEs, serviced by a sewer collection line found to have grease blockage, or accelerated line maintenance resulting from grease disposal, shall be in full compliance with the provisions of these rules and regulations.

(3) The owner of every commercial or industrial generator of grease, including FSEs, found to have caused or contributed to a SSO, shall be in full compliance with the provisions of these rules and regulations.

(B) Remodeled and newly construction facilities.

(1) Dischargers of food service waste water from newly constructed, remodeled, or converted commercial and industrial facilities shall be in full compliance with the provisions of this Chapter at the time of commencement of discharge. These requirements shall apply to remodeled or converted facilities to the extent that the portion of the facility being remodeled or converted is related to the subject requirement.

(2) Buildings constructed to house FSEs shall include a covered area for all waste and recycling collection receptacles such as, but not limited to, garbage, recycle, food scrap, compost, and tallow bins. The areas shall be designated to prevent water run-on to the area and runoff from the area. Drains that are installed within the enclosure for recycle and waste bins, dumpsters, and tallow bins serving food service facilities are optional. Any such drain installed shall be connected to the GRD. If tallow is to be stored outside, then an adequately sized, segregated space for a tallow bin shall be included in the covered area.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)

Violations of this section are subject to administrative fines pursuant to Chapter 1.13 of this Code. The amount of the fine will be assessed according to a schedule of fines adopted by City Council resolution. The schedule may include escalating fine amounts for repeat violations of the same code provision.

(Ord. 4620, passed 10-28-13)