Lakeport Municipal Code Art. VIII Fats, Oils, And Grease Program

The purpose of this article is to outline the wastewater pretreatment requirements for food service facilities and other commercial facilities that discharge FOG in their wastewater flow. All new and existing facilities that generate and discharge FOG in their wastewater flow shall install, operate and maintain a FOG pretreatment system. The requirements of this article shall supplement and be in addition to the requirements of the city of Lakeport municipal sewer district's sewer use ordinance (this Chapter 13.20).

(Ord. 872 § 9.1, 2008)

Properly sized grease interceptors are required for all commercial food and restaurant facilities connected to the CLMSD, and all facilities described in subsection B of this section unless otherwise designated by the director. The CLMSD does not accept waste products with FOG into the sanitary sewer system or any of the wastewater treatment facilities.

A. Interceptors Required. Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when in the opinion of the director they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand, and other harmful ingredients; except that such interceptors shall not be required for buildings used solely for residential purposes. All grease interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the director, meet minimum design capability and follow all E-BMPs. Grease interceptors shall be so located as to be readily and easily accessible for user cleaning and CLMSD inspection.

B. Maintenance of Interceptors.

1. All grease interceptors shall be maintained by the user, at his/her expense, in continuously efficient operation at all times. Grease interceptors shall be installed by users as required by the director. Grease interceptors shall be installed at the user's expense, when such user operates a food service facility, school, child care facility with twenty or more children, deli, meat market, grocery store, bakery, entertainment club, caterer, church and fraternal organization, or when deemed necessary by the director for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease or any other substance deemed harmful to the city of Lakeport municipal sewer district.

2. The sizing of grease interceptors will be based on the number of seats (EPA 1 Procedure) or the number of meals served in a single day (EPA 2 Procedure) or other methods approved by the director. All such grease interceptors shall be serviced and emptied of accumulated waste content as required in order to maintain minimum design capability or effective volume of the grease interceptor, but not less often than once every sixty days, or more often as determined by the director. Indoor grease interceptors shall be cleaned a minimum of once every fourteen days. Users who are required to, based on solids, pass water through a grease interceptor shall:

a. Provide for a minimum hydraulic retention time of twenty-four minutes at actual peak flow or twelve minutes at the calculated theoretical peak flow rate, as predicted by the Uniform Plumbing Code fixture criteria, between the influent and effluent baffles with twenty percent of the total volume of the grease interceptor being allowed for sludge to settle and accumulate, identified hereafter as a "sludge pocket."

b. Remove any accumulated sludge pocket as required, but at intervals of not longer than once every sixty days, or more often as determined by the director, at the user's expense. Grease interceptors shall be kept free of inorganic solid materials 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 grease interceptor.

c. Accept the following conditions: if any skimmed or pumped wastes or other materials removed from grease interceptor are treated in any fashion on site and reintroduced back into the grease interceptor as an activity of and after said on-site treatment, the user shall be responsible for the attainment of established grease numerical limit consistent with and contained in Section 13.20.620 on all discharges of wastewater from said grease interceptor into the city of Lakeport's sanitary sewer collection and treatment system.

d. Operate the grease interceptor in a manner so as to maintain said device such that attainment to the grease limit is consistently achieved. "Consistent" shall mean any wastewater sample taken from said grease interceptor shall be subject to terms of numerical limit attainment described in Section 13.20.620. If legitimate space constraints (as determined by the director) exist that prohibit the sewer user from installing a grease interceptor, a variance for cause request may be submitted (Section 13.20.650).

e. Understand and agree that: the use of biological additives as a grease degradation agent is conditionally permissible, upon prior written approval by the director. Any food service facility using this method of grease abatement shall maintain the interceptor in such a manner that attainment of the grease wastewater discharge limit, as measured from the interceptor's outlet, is consistently achieved.

f. Understand and agree that: the use of automatic grease removal systems is conditionally permissible, upon prior written approval by the director. Any food service facility using this equipment shall operate the system in such a manner that attainment of the grease wastewater discharge limit, as measured from the unit's outlet, is consistently achieved.

g. Understand and agree that: the director reserves the right to make determinations of grease interceptor adequacy and need based on review of all relevant information regarding grease interceptor performance. The director reserves the right to conduct facility site and building plan review and to require repairs to, modification of, or replacement of such interceptors.

3. All users shall provide a written record of interceptor maintenance and/or pumping to the director within five working days after such work has been completed.

4. Non-grease-laden sources shall not be connected to sewer lines upstream of the grease interceptor. Grease interceptors are intended only for grease-laden sources.

5. Should an obstruction of a CLMSD sewer main(s) occur that causes a sewer overflow to the extent that an impact on the environment is realized and that said overflow or failure of the sanitary sewer collection system to convey sewage can be attributed in part or in whole to an accumulation of grease in the CLMSD sewer main(s), the CLMSD will take appropriate enforcement actions, as stipulated in Sections 13.20.630 and 13.20.640, against the generator or contributor of such grease.

C. Facilities to Install Interceptors.

1. All facilities described in subsection (B)(1) of this section shall be required to install grease interceptors within one year of written notification by the director, or file a variance for cause request within six months of the same notification (Section 13.20.650). If the variance is not granted by the director, the user will have six months from written notification of denial to complete said installation as directed.

2. If an overflow or failure of the sanitary sewer collection system to convey sewage can be attributed in part or in whole to an accumulation of grease from an existing FSF without a grease interceptor, the CLMSD will require the FSF to install a grease interceptor within one hundred eighty days of written notification. Any additional fixtures that are added to the existing FSF that discharge grease-laden waste streams shall be plumbed into the interceptor. If said fixtures cause the interceptor to exceed its minimum design capability, a new interceptor may be required by the director.

3. Except as provided herein, for a period of one year following adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, although installation of grease interceptors will be required to be installed, no enforcement actions will be taken under this article for failure to achieve limits on grease discharges from grease interceptors. If, during this one-year period, an obstruction of a CLMSD sewer main(s) occurs that causes a sewer overflow to the extent that an impact on the environment is realized and that said overflow or failure of the sanitary sewer collection system to convey sewage can be attributed in part or in whole to an accumulation of grease in a CLMSD sewer main(s), the CLMSD will take appropriate enforcement actions, as stipulated in Sections 13.20.630 and 13.20.640, against the generator or contributor of such grease.

4. Access manholes, with a minimum diameter of twenty-four inches, shall be provided over each chamber and sanitary tee. 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 lids and inflow and infiltration saucer covers in order to facilitate inspection, allow for grease removal, and permit wastewater sampling activities.

D. Design Requirements for Grease Interceptors.

1. As per the currently adopted California Building Standards Code as referenced in Section 15.04.010, grease interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperatures, shall be of substantial construction, watertight, and equipped with easily removable covers. The grease interceptor shall contain a baffle system, which adequately diverts and slows the flow to avoid short-circuiting. Grease interceptors located in roadways or parking lots shall be traffic rated.

2. Since the FSF is liable for the condition of their pretreatment devices, the FSF owner/representative should witness all cleaning/maintenance activities in order to verify that the grease interceptor is being fully cleaned and properly maintained.

E. How to Determine the Size of an Exterior, In-Ground Grease Interceptor. As determined by the director, the user installing a grease interceptor may be required to use either the sizing criteria of the Manning formula or the formula described in the most recent edition of the California Plumbing Code to determine the size of said grease interceptor.

The Manning formula for calculating grease interceptor sizing is:

1. GPM/Fixture. The following examples are derived from the Manning formula. It takes into account the slope; roughness of the pipe (plastic) used, and pipe diameter size. When applying the Manning formula, we arrive at the drainage rates of various pipe diameter sizes:

2. Fixture Ratings of Grease-Laden Waste Streams. In the data below, fixtures that have a heavy grease-laden waste stream received higher values, while fixtures with a light grease-laden waste stream received lower values.

Common commercial kitchen fixtures and their corresponding rating (each):

3. Direct Flow from Dishwashers, Laundry Washers, and Glass Washers. These flows must be added directly to the GPM flow because of their potential for discharging large quantities of water in a short time period. Since these appliances have pumps, the Manning formula cannot be applied to predict flow. Make sure to use the manufacturer's discharge rate for flow in GPM but not less than the draw down rate.

4. Twenty-Four Minute Retention Time. Engineers have determined that when applying several criteria to determine proper grease (animal and vegetable lipids) separation (using Stokes's Law, specific gravity of lipids, etc.), a twenty-four-minute retention time is required.

Example No. One: A restaurant has the following fixtures in their kitchen (all fixtures have a 1.5 inch pipe diameter):

Using the formula to size exterior grease interceptors, we get:

Example No. Two: A restaurant has the following fixtures:

Using the formula to size exterior grease interceptors, we get:

F. How to Determine the Size of an Indoor Point-of-Use Grease Interceptor.

1. Step One.

a. Determine the cubic contents of the fixture by multiplying length times width times depth.

b. Number of compartments times 24 inches long by 24 inches wide by 14 inches deep. Cubic contents: 3 times 24 times 24 times 14 equals 24,192 cubic inches.

2. Step Two.

a. Determine the capacity in gallons. One gallon equals 231 cubic inches.

b. Contents in gallons: 24,192 divided by 231 equals 104.7 gallons.

3. Step Three.

a. Determine actual drainage load. The fixture is usually filled to about 75 percent of capacity with wastewater. The items to be washed displace about 25 percent of the fixture content. Actual drainage load equals 75 percent of fixture capacity.

b. Actual Load: .75 times 104.73 gallons equals 78.55 gallons.

4. Step Four.

a. For design considerations, it is good practice to calculate the flow rate in GPM equal to or greater than 75 percent of the fixture capacity.

b. Calculated flow rate for design capacity in GPM on 75 percent of fixture capacity: 75 percent of fixture capacity equals 78.55 gallons. Flow rate equals 78.55 GPM.

5. Step Five.

a. Select the grease interceptor that matches the calculated design flow rate. Note: Select the next larger size when the flow rate falls between two sizes.

b. Hence, any value greater than 78 but less than or equal to 79 should be considered 79. In this example, a grease interceptor with a minimum design capability of 79 GPM is needed.

G. Notification of Change in Ownership or Closure of a Food Service Facility.

1. A change in ownership of a FSF shall be reported to the director in writing within thirty days of the ownership change. Failure to comply will result in a minor violation, failure to submit records. See Section 13.20.640.

2. Any FSF that goes out of business shall report such closure to the director in writing within thirty days of closure and shall ensure that any grease interceptor shall be cleaned and pumped before the building is vacated. Failure to comply shall result in an intermediate violation, failure to maintain necessary equipment. See Section 13.20.640.

(Ord. 872 § 9.2, 2008; Ord. 924 § 14, 2020)

A. Types of Wastes Prohibited. Any water or waste which may contain more than one hundred parts per million, by weight, of FOG.

(Ord. 872 § 9.3, 2008)

A. No user shall contribute or cause to be contributed into the sanitary sewer collection system any of the following:

1. Hot water running continuously through a grease interceptor.

2. Discharge of concentrated alkaline or acidic solutions into a grease interceptor.

3. Discharge of concentrated detergents into a grease interceptor.

4. Discharge of FOG into the sanitary sewer system.

B. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person or user to:

1. Modify a grease interceptor's structure without consent from the director.

2. Provide falsified data and/or information to the CLMSD, including but not limited to grease interceptor maintenance and/or cleaning records.

3. Violate or fail to comply with any applicable section or provision of this article.

(Ord. 872 § 9.4, 2008)

Any user that is identified, in whole or in part, as the source of a sanitary sewer blockage and/or overflow shall be assessed a fine of no less than five hundred dollars and no more than twenty-five thousand dollars per incident, plus cost recovery, in addition to any fines dispensed from the state of California. Users committing one or more of the offenses listed herein will be assessed the corresponding amounts on a calendar year basis. The user will have no more than one hundred eighty days from written notification by the director to surrender said moneys to the CLMSD.

The fines associated with all violations of this chapter including minor, intermediate, and major violations and subsequent violations will be set from time to time by the CLMSD board.

(Ord. 872 § 9.5, 2008)

A. Variance.

1. A variance to deviate from any/all requirements set forth in Section 13.20.610 may be requested of the CLMSD upon submission of sufficient documentation. Such documentation shall provide a written explanation for the need to vary from the requirements of Section 13.20.610. After submission of a request to the CLMSD, the CLMSD will review all information submitted and will notify the user in writing of its acceptance or denial of the variance request. All users requesting a variance shall agree to submit to a variance study and the associated fee.

2. The CLMSD has the right to discontinue the variance study at any time the FSF or other director-designated facility adversely affects the sanitary sewer collection system or treatment works. Fees associated with the variance request will be set from time to time by the CLMSD board, which includes estimated costs associated with processing and conducting the variance study. All fees are non-refundable and shall be paid in advance.

3. A variance to exceed the interval requirement for scheduled maintenance set forth in this article may be granted if the accumulated grease cap and sludge pocket measurements remain below twenty-five percent of the total depth from the grease interceptor's interior floor to the static or working water level, at any point between the influent and effluent pipes/baffles of the grease interceptor.

4. No variance will be granted to exceed a one hundred eighty-day maintenance interval, with the exception of schools and seasonal event facilities that may exceed a one hundred eighty-day maintenance interval upon submitting a variance application to the director and receiving written permission from the director.

5. Any user who is found to violate the twenty-five percent rule as set forth in subsection (B)(6) of this section may be required to pump more frequently than monthly.

B. Variance Study Procedure. Once a variance has been granted, a variance study shall be conducted in accordance with the following procedures:

1. Prior to a variance study, the grease interceptor shall be completely pumped and sufficiently cleaned by a servicing company at the user's expense. A variance study cannot be conducted unless the grease interceptor is properly serviced, as determined by the director.

2. The user shall contact the CLMSD a minimum of two working days prior to the scheduled grease interceptor cleaning.

3. Once the grease interceptor is cleaned properly and refilled with water from the establishment, the CLMSD will conduct a visual inspection of the grease interceptor and verify that all components of the device are in place and in proper working order. If a grease interceptor fails the visual inspection, the user shall correct all inadequacies at the user's expense. The user shall notify the CLMSD in writing of all corrected measures upon completion. Such notification shall be mailed to the address set forth in subsection G of this section.

4. Two weeks after initial pumping, the CLMSD will measure the grease cap and sludge pocket to obtain data to determine grease interceptor performance.

5. Four weeks after the initial pumping, the CLMSD will remeasure the grease cap and sludge pocket to further evaluate grease interceptor performance.

6. This process will continue on a biweekly frequency until the accumulated grease cap and sludge pocket reach twenty-five percent of the total depth of the grease interceptor. Variance studies shall not exceed a period of one hundred eighty days.

7. The CLMSD will review all data obtained and submit in writing the results of the variance to the user. The result will only be furnished to the user requesting the variance.

8. The CLMSD will not be responsible for any grease discharge, odor, or blockage during or after the variance study. At no time during the variance study shall the grease interceptor be pumped, except by direct approval of the director.

C. Variance Revocation. A variance to deviate from the interval requirement for scheduled maintenance may be revoked by the CLMSD, at its discretion, if at any time after a variance is granted one or more of the following occur:

1. Grease interceptor discharge adversely affects the CLMSD as determined by the director.

2. Grease and solids accumulation is greater than twenty-five percent of the total depth from grease interceptor's interior floor to the static or working water level, at any point within the grease interceptor.

3. A user increases food service production by more than thirty-three percent.

4. A user increases seating capacity by more than twenty-five percent.

5. A user enacts a menu change that increases grease-laden waste to an amount no longer applicable to the original variance.

6. A user causes or contributes to a sanitary sewer blockage or overflow.

D. Reconsideration Petition.

1. Any user may petition the director to reconsider the terms of any enforcement action within thirty calendar days of issuance.

2. Failure to submit a timely petition for review shall be deemed to be a waiver of the administrative appeal process.

3. The petition shall indicate the terms objected to, the reasons for the objection and any additional information that should be considered.

4. If the director fails to act within fifteen days of receipt, the request for reconsideration shall be deemed as denied.

E. Final Appeal Hearing with the CLMSD.

1. Any user whose reconsideration petition to the director has been denied shall have the right to a final hearing before the CLMSD board upon making written demand to the director within thirty days of receipt of the reconsideration petition denial. The written demand shall identify the specific enforcement action issues to be contested and any additional information that should be considered.

2. Unless such written demand is made within the time specified herein, the action of the director shall be final and binding.

3. The CLMSD board shall conduct the hearing and make a final decision on the enforcement action within fifteen days of the hearing. The user shall be notified of the decision by certified mail.

4. The decision of the CLMSD board shall be considered the final administrative action for purposes of judicial review.

F. Appeal of FOG Article. Any user may appeal a fine that has been assessed for failure to comply with this article. The user must submit a written request, identifying the specific issues to be contested, to the director within thirty days following receipt of the bill, assessment of fine, or notice of violation. Unless such written request is made within the time frame specified, the fine subject to appeal shall be final and binding. The director shall evaluate the information and shall make a written decision within fifteen days of receipt of the appeal request. Failure to make a written demand within the specified time herein shall bar further appeal. The director shall make a decision on the appeal within ninety days of the date that the appeal was filed.

G. Mailing Address for All FOG Appeals.

1. Address the letter according to the type of appeal and body. For example: "Attn: Variance for Cause Request, to CLMSD Director."

2. After addressing your letter and envelope, mail all correspondence to:

(Ord. 872 § 9.6, 2008)