La Palma Municipal Code Div. 2 Limitations, Prohibitions and Requirements on Discharges

No establishment shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the sewer system FOG that exceeds a concentration level adopted by the City, or that is otherwise applicable, or FOG that may accumulate and/or cause or contribute to blockages in the sewer system or at the sewer system lateral which connects the discharge establishment to the sewer system.

(Ord. No. 2022-13, § 1, 12-13-2022)

The following prohibitions shall apply to all discharge establishments:

(1) Introduction of any additives into a discharge establishment's wastewater system for the purpose of emulsifying FOG, unless a specific written authorization from the FOG Control Program Manager is obtained;

(2) Disposal of waste cooking oil into drainage pipes. All waste cooking oils shall be collected and stored properly in receptacles such as barrels or drums for recycling or other acceptable methods of disposal;

(3) Discharge of wastewater from dishwashers to any grease trap or grease interceptor;

(4) Discharge of wastewater with temperatures in excess of 140 degrees Fahrenheit to any grease control device, including grease traps and grease interceptors;

(5) The use of biological additives for grease remediation or as a supplement to interceptor maintenance without prior written authorization from the FOG Control Program Manager;

(6) Discharge of wastes from toilets, urinals, wash basins, and other fixtures containing human bodily wastes to a grease interceptor;

(7) Discharge of any waste including FOG and solid materials removed from the grease control device to the sewer system. Grease removed from grease interceptors shall be removed from the premises by a waste hauler periodically as part of the operation and maintenance requirements for grease interceptors; and

(8) Installation of a new food grinder in any food service establishment without the written authorization of the FOG Control Program Manager.

(Ord. No. 2022-13, § 1, 12-13-2022)

(a) No person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, any wastewater from a commercial establishment directly or indirectly into the sewer system without first obtaining a FOG wastewater discharge permit pursuant to this article.

(b) All food making facilities shall be required to get a FOG wastewater discharge permit regardless of whether the facility is a limited food preparation establishment or a food service establishment as defined in this section.

(c) Multi-family residential properties may be required to obtain a FOG wastewater discharge permit and be subject to the regulations of this article if the property either:

(1) Caused two sewer system overflows as a result of FOG buildup during the lifetime of the property; or

(2) Was found to contribute to FOG buildup in lateral lines feeding into the City's main wastewaster channels that are visually confirmed as blockages.

(Ord. No. 2022-13, § 1, 12-13-2022)

Every discharge establishment shall implement best management practices to minimize the discharge of FOG to the sewer system. These may include kitchen practices and training efforts that are essential in minimizing FOG discharge. Detailed requirements for best management practices shall be specified in the FOG wastewater discharge permit.

(Ord. No. 2022-13, § 1, 12-13-2022)

Every discharge establishment shall install, operate, and maintain an approved type and adequately sized grease interceptor necessary to maintain compliance with the objectives of this article. The grease interceptor shall be adequate to separate and remove FOG contained in wastewater discharges prior to discharge to the sewer system. Fixtures, equipment, and drains that are sources of FOG discharges shall be connected to the grease interceptor. Compliance with this section shall be established as follows:

(1) New construction of discharge establishments. Whenever a new discharge establishment is constructed, a grease interceptor shall be installed prior to commencing any discharges of wastewater to the sewer system.

(2) Existing discharge establishments. Existing discharge establishments undergoing remodeling that requires a permit shall be required to install a grease interceptor as part of said remodeling project.

(Ord. No. 2022-13, § 1, 12-13-2022)

Property owners of multi-tenant commercial properties or their official designees shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of any grease interceptor serving discharge establishments. If a grease interceptor that receives wastewater from a single discharge establishment is installed on a multi-tenant commercial property, the operator of the discharge establishment shall be responsible for the maintenance of the grease interceptor.

(Ord. No. 2022-13, § 1, 12-13-2022)

(a) Authority to impose fee. Discharge establishments that operate without a grease interceptor may be required to pay an annual FOG mitigation fee to equitably cover the costs of increased maintenance of the sewer system as a result of the discharge establishment's inability to adequately remove FOG from its wastewater discharge. Discharge establishments shall only be permitted to pay the annual FOG mitigation fee and operate without an approved grease interceptor if the City has determined that it is impossible or impractical to install or operate a grease interceptor for the subject facility. Such determination shall be based upon evaluation of the following conditions:

(1) There is no adequate space for installation and/or maintenance of a grease interceptor;

(2) There is no adequate slope for gravity flow between kitchen plumbing fixtures and the grease interceptor and/or between the grease interceptor and the private collection lines or the public sewer; and

(b) Fee amount. The FOG mitigation fee shall be established by resolution of the City Council and shall be based on the estimated annual increased cost of maintaining the sewer system for inspection and removal of FOG attributable to the food service establishment resulting from the lack of a grease interceptor or grease control device.

(Ord. No. 2022-13, § 1, 12-13-2022)