Morro Bay Municipal Code Art. VII Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program

This article shall be referred to as the "City of Morro Bay FOG Control Program" or "FOG Control Program."

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

The purpose of the FOG control program ordinance is to reduce sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and blockages, and to protect public health and the environment by minimizing public exposure to unsanitary conditions. By controlling the discharge of fats, oils, and grease to the wastewater collection system, excessive buildup in sewer lines can be lessened, thereby increasing the system's operating efficiency and reducing the number of sewer line blockages and overflows.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

No FF shall discharge or cause to be discharged into the sewer system FOG that may accumulate and/or cause or contribute to blockages in the sewer system or at the sewer lateral, which connects the FF to the sewer system.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

The following specific prohibitions shall apply to all FF:

A. Discharge of any FOG-containing wastewater that is not connected to a grease removal device is prohibited.

B. Non-grease laden sources such as, but not limited to, hand-wash sinks, toilets, urinals, and stormwater, shall not be connected to a grease removal device.

C. No dishwasher shall be connected to a grease trap.

D. Discharge of wastewater with temperatures in excess of one hundred forty degrees F (sixty degrees C) into any grease trap is prohibited.

E. Direct disposal of any waste cooking oil into any drain or cleanout that is connected to the sewer system is prohibited.

F. Introduction of any additive into a grease removal device or directly into the sewer system for the purpose of emulsifying FOG, biologically/chemically treating FOG for grease remediation, or as a supplement to any grease removal device maintenance is prohibited, unless specifically authorized in writing by the utilities division/department manager.

G. Discharge of any waste which has been removed from a grease removal device into the sewer system is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

All FFs shall obtain a FOG wastewater discharge permit. Nothing in the permit is intended to relieve the FF of any local, state, or federal regulation. Any denial of a permit may be appealed under Section 13.12.520 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

FOG wastewater discharge permit applications shall include the following information:

A. Name, address, telephone number, description of the FF and service activities.

B. Name of any and all principals/owners of the FF.

C. Name and address of property owner or lessor and the property manager where the FF is located.

D. Specifications of all grease removal devices.

E. Operational statement of FF.

F. Any other information as may be specified in the application form.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

A. FOG wastewater discharge permits must contain the following:

1. A statement that indicates the wastewater discharge permit duration.

2. A statement that the wastewater discharge permit is nontransferable.

3. A statement of applicable civil and criminal penalties for violation of permit and FOG ordinance.

B. FOG wastewater discharge permits may contain the following conditions or limits if found necessary to meet the intent of the FOG control program ordinance by the utilities division/department manager:

1. Limits on discharge of FOG and other pollutants.

2. Requirements to install, operate, and maintain adequate pretreatment devices including grease removal devices.

3. Requirements for proper operation and maintenance of all pretreatment devices.

4. Grease removal device maintenance frequency and schedule.

5. Requirements for implementing, maintaining, and reporting on the status of BMPs.

6. Requirements for maintaining and submitting logs and records, including waste hauling records and manifests and to have such records available for inspection.

7. Requirements to self-monitor.

8. Additional requirements as may be determined to be reasonably appropriate by the utilities division/department manager or as specified by other regulatory agencies to protect the collection system.

9. Other terms and conditions, which may be reasonably applicable to ensure compliance with the FOG control program.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

FOG wastewater discharge permit modifications are subject to Section 13.12.530 of this chapter consistent with the terms, requirements, and policies in this section.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

All FFs shall implement BMPs in an effort to minimize the discharge of FOG to the sewer system, including, but not limited to, the following, as applicable:

A. Installation of Drain Screens. Drain screens shall be installed on all drainage pipes in food preparation areas.

B. Disposal of Waste Cooking Oil and Grease. FFs shall dispose of waste cooking oil in accordance with state and local law.

C. Segregation and Collection of Waste Cooking Oil. All waste cooking oil shall be collected and stored properly in recycling receptacles such as barrels or drums. Such recycling receptacles shall be maintained properly to insure that they do not leak. Licensed waste haulers or an approved recycling facility must be used to dispose of waste cooking oil in accordance with applicable state and local law.

D. Disposal of Food Waste. All food waste should be disposed of directly into the trash or garbage in accordance with applicable state and local law and not into sinks and shall be disposed of in a manner that will ensure against leakage in the trash container or anywhere else.

E. Employee Training. Employees of each FF shall be trained by ownership/management periodically as specified in the FOG wastewater discharge permit on the following subjects:

1. Dry-wiping pots, pans, dishware and work areas before washing to remove grease.

2. Properly disposing food waste and solids in plastic bags prior to disposal in trash bins or containers to prevent leaking and odors.

3. The location and use of absorption products to clean under fryer baskets and other locations where grease may be spilled or dripped.

4. Properly disposing grease or oils from cooking equipment into a proper grease receptacle without spilling.

5. Training shall be documented along with employee signatures. Training records shall be available for review at any time by authorized representatives of the city.

F. Maintenance of Mechanical Exhaust Ventilation Filters. Filters shall be cleaned as frequently as necessary to be maintained in good operating condition. The wastewater generated from cleaning exhaust filters shall be disposed of properly.

G. Kitchen Signage. Best management and waste minimization practices shall be posted conspicuously in the food preparation and dishwashing areas at all times.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

Each owner of a FF is required to install, operate, and maintain an approved type and adequately sized grease interceptor necessary to maintain compliance with the objectives of this section, subject only to the variance and waiver provisions and other exceptions of this section. The grease interceptor shall be adequate to separate and remove FOG contained in wastewater discharges from FFs prior to discharge to the sewer system. Fixtures, equipment, and drain lines located in the food preparation and cleanup areas of FFs that are sources of FOG discharges shall be connected to the grease interceptor.

A. New FFs, those that are not existing on February 25, 2021 shall include grease interceptors prior to commencing discharges of wastewater to the sewer system.

B. Each FFs existing as of February 25, 2021 shall include grease interceptors in any of the following circumstances:

1. When the FF changes ownership;

2. When any change in operation results in or has the potential to result in the increase of the amount of FOG generated and/or discharged by FF in an amount that alone or collectively causes or creates a potential SSO to occur;

3. When it is determined by the utilities division/department manager the FF caused or contributed to grease-related blockages in the sewer system, has sewer laterals connected to hot spots, or has been determined to contribute significant FOG to the sewer system, based on inspection and sampling;

4. During a remodel;

5. Any other time the utilities division/department manager reasonably determines that installation of a grease interceptor is necessary to avoid an adverse impact to the sewer system.

C. Any owner of an FF existing on February 25, 2021 that receives a notice from the utilities division/department manager to install a grease interceptor must install the interceptor within ninety days, unless a shorter or longer period is reasonably required by the utilities division/department manager.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, an owner of an FF existing on February 25, 2021 may obtain a variance, at the utilities division/department manager's discretion, from the grease interceptor requirement to allow alternative pretreatment technology that is equally effective in controlling the FOG discharge in lieu of a grease interceptor.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

All costs incurred for cleaning the sewer line to remove FOG buildup caused or contributed to by an FF shall be reimbursed to the city by the owner of the FF. Factors for determining responsible parties for cost recovery charges, include FFs that are discharging into the affected sewer line, the presence of grease removal devices or alternative pretreatment in the FF, proper maintenance of grease removal devices by the owner or operator of the FF, implementation of BMPs, and any waivers or variances granted.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

The owner of any FF that is required to include FOG pretreatment shall install operate and maintain an approved type and properly sized grease interceptor, or other grease removal device authorized under an approved variance, necessary to maintain compliance with the purpose of the FOG control program ordinance.

A. Approved grease interceptor sizing and installation shall conform to the latest approved edition of the California Uniform Plumbing Code.

B. Grease interceptors shall be constructed in accordance with the design approved by the utilities division/department manager and shall have a minimum of two compartments with fittings designed for grease retention.

C. Grease interceptors shall be installed at a location where it shall be at all times easily accessible for inspection, cleaning and removal of accumulated grease.

1. Grease interceptors may not be installed in any part of the building where food is handled.

2. If a location is not available on the property of the FF, a street encroachment permit may be requested to authorize installation of a grease interceptor in a public access area such as the street or sidewalk area.

3. There will be no obstruction from landscaping or parked vehicles, with the exception of parked vehicles in a public access area as granted through a street encroachment permit.

D. Access utility holes, with a minimum diameter of twenty-four inches, shall be provided over each grease interceptor chamber and sanitary tee. The utility holes shall also have readily removable covers to facilitate inspection, grease removal and wastewater sampling activities.

E. The original design of the grease interceptor shall not be modified unless the manufacturer recommends the modification in writing.

1. Any modification will be at the FFs expense.

2. The city is not liable for any non-compliance as a result of any modification.

F. The utilities division/department manager may require other pretreatment measures or modifications to improve the effectiveness of the grease interceptor.

G. Connections to the grease interceptor shall be approved by the utilities division/department manager, and the utilities division/department manager may require connections to be removed.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

Grease interceptors shall be maintained in efficient operating condition by periodic complete removal of all contents of the devices including wastewater, accumulated FOG, floating materials, sludge and solids.

A. No FOG that has accumulated in a grease interceptor shall be allowed to pass into any sewer lateral, sewer system, storm drain, or public right-of-way during maintenance activities.

B. When any FF is located in an area that is considered to be a hot spot, the owner will be required to submit data and information necessary to establish a maintenance frequency for their grease interceptor.

C. The maintenance frequency for all FFs with a grease interceptor shall be determined in one of the following methods:

1. Grease interceptors shall be fully pumped out and cleaned at a frequency such that the combined FOG and solids accumulation does not exceed the Twenty-five Percent Rule. Regardless, the interval between cleaning shall not exceed six months.

2. If the grease interceptor contains, at any time, FOG and solids accumulation that exceeds the Twenty-five Percent Rule, the FF shall be required to have the grease interceptor serviced immediately so that all FOG, sludge and other materials are completely removed from the interceptor. If necessary, the FF may be required to increase the maintenance frequency of the grease interceptor from its current frequency.

D. Wastewater, accumulated FOG, floating materials, sludge, solids, and other materials removed from the grease interceptor shall be disposed offsite properly by licensed waste haulers or recyclers in accordance with federal, state, and/or local regulations.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

Grease traps may be authorized by the utilities division/department manager through a variance under Section 13.12.530 of this chapter with the following conditions:

A. Grease traps shall be installed in waste lines leading from drains, sinks and other fixtures or equipment where grease may be introduced into the sewer system in quantities that can cause blockage.

B. Grease traps shall be properly sized and installed in accordance with the latest approved edition of the California Uniform Plumbing Code.

C. The original design of the grease trap shall not be modified unless the manufacturer recommends the modification in writing.

1. Any modification will be at the FF's expense.

2. The city is not liable for any non-compliance as a result of any modification.

D. Grease traps shall be maintained in efficient operating conditions by removing accumulated grease. The interval between cleaning will be established by the utilities division/department manager, but shall not exceed two weeks. Baffles shall be removed and cleaned during the maintenance process, when applicable.

E. Grease traps shall be kept free of all food residues and any FOG waste removed during the cleaning and scraping process.

F. Grease traps shall be inspected periodically to check for leaking seams and pipes and for effective operation of the baffles and flow regulating devices.

G. Grease traps and their baffles shall be maintained free of all caked on FOG and waste.

H. Dishwashers and food waste disposal units shall not be connected to or discharged into any grease trap.

I. The temperature of any water entering a grease trap shall not exceed one hundred forty degrees F (sixty degrees C).

J. All wastes shall be properly disposed of in accordance with applicable local and state laws.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)

Each owner of an FF shall keep all records, including manifests, receipts and invoices of all cleaning and maintenance of grease removal devices. All records shall be made available to authorized representatives of the city upon request. In addition to the above mentioned documents, records include logbooks of maintenance activity, BMPs and employee training, sampling data, spill reports, line cleaning reports, and any other information deemed appropriate by the utilities division/department manager to ensure compliance with the FOG control program and this section.

(Ord. No. 642, § 1, 1-26-21)