All local food establishments must be certified on how to properly dispose of oils, fats and grease by the end of the year.
Based on the policy given by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Consent Decree, all food service establishments (FSE) will be required to have the certification by Dec. 31.
The EPA Consent Decree requires certification to be complete one year from April 15, 2019, which is when the plan was approved by the EPA.
At the Aug. 19 Greenville Public Works Committee meeting, the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Control Bureau discussed hosting trainings to help FSEs obtain their certifications.
After the May 28 public hearing was held concerning the FOG program’s implementation mandated by the EPA, the FOG Control Bureau began contacting businesses alphabetically and hosting required certification classes. This also applies to schools, day cares, etc. that discharge fats, oils and grease into the sewer system.
Training is ongoing at 2352 South Main St. (Fire Station 8) every other Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m. Certification will only be given to establishments that complete the class in full.
“One permit requirement is that an authorized representative from each FSE attend the class and pass the test given at the end,” said Chief Earth Robinson, FOG control coordinator. “After an FSE has been made aware of an upcoming class and does not have a representative attend, unless due to unforeseen circumstances, a notice of violation will be given to the business. If absence from the class continues, it may result in a monetary penalty being assessed,” Robinson said.
The FOG Program has categorized businesses into five classes. The grease control equipment (GCE) required is determined by the class of the food service establishment.
Minimum acceptable size of GCE for each FSE Classification will be as follows:
Class 1: Delicatessen, ice cream shops, beverage bars, mobile food vendors, meat markets, retail bakeries — 20 gpm/40 pound Grease; Class 2: Limited-service restaurants, day care centers, religious organizations, snack and non-alcoholic bars with on premise cooking, convenience stores, caterers, banquet halls (i.e. event centers) — 1,000 gallon grease interceptor; Class 3: Full service restaurants — 1,000 gallon grease interceptor; Class 4: buffet and cafeteria facilities — 1,500 gallon grease interceptor; and Class 5: Institutions (schools, hospitals, prisons, etc.) — 2,000 gallon grease interceptor.
In order for most businesses to comply with the policy, an upgrade is needed from a grease trap to a grease interceptor, and plumbers must be educated on the program requirements in order to properly assist businesses, according to Robinson.
“Plumbers are receiving heavy push back from businesses due to the cost of implementation,” he said.
According to the EPA’s consent decree, the city shall review, evaluate and revise its Grease Ordinance and FOG Control Program and submit to EPA for review and approval.
At a minimum, the new FOG Control Program shall apply city-wide and include the following:
- A FOG characterization study that shall identify the sources of FOG causing problems in the WCTS and the most appropriate method or mechanism for addressing those sources;
- The legal authority to control the discharge of FOG into the WCTS, including the ability to implement a permit and enforcement program for commercial and industrial sources;
- Specification of accepted devices to control the discharge of FOG into the WCTS;
- Establishment of standards for the design and construction of FOG control devices including standards for capacity and accessibility, site map, design documents and as-built drawings;
- Establishment of FOG control device management, operations and maintenance standards or best management practices that address onsite record keeping requirements, cleaning frequency, cleaning standards, use of additives and ultimate disposal;
- Establishment of construction inspection protocols, including scheduling, inspection report forms and inspection record keeping requirements, to assure that DOG control devices are constructed in accordance with established design and construction standards;
- Establishment of construction inspection protocols, including scheduling, inspection report forms and inspection record keeping requirements, to assure that FOG control devices are managed, operated and maintained in accordance with established management, operation and maintenance standards or best management practices;
- Establishment of a FOG disposal manifest system, with the included requirements that FOG and septage not be commingled and that the point of origin be specified on the manifest;
- Establishment of an enforcement program, including specific enforcement mechanisms, to ensure compliance with the FOG Control Program;
- Establishment of a compliance assistance program to facilitate training of FOG generators and their employees;
- Establishment of a comprehensive public education program directed at reducing the amount of FOG entering the WCTS from residences;
- Establishment of staffing (technical and legal) and equipment requirements to ensure effective implementation of the FOG Control Program;
- A regularly maintained list of current commercial establishment FOG generators including a description of their FOG generating processes and estimated average quantity of FOG generated daily;
- Establishment of performance indicators to be used by the city to measure the effectiveness of the FOG Control Program; and
- A schedule to review, evaluate and revise the FOG Control Program on at least an annual basis. Any revisions to the FOG Control Program shall be submitted to EPA.
Bill Burle, of W.L. Burle Engineers, informed the attendees that waivers are available for FSEs that do not work with oil or have a garbage disposal.
“If an engineer signs off on paperwork that demonstrates an FSE uses an interceptor with less than a 1,000-gallon unit, that establishment may be waived as well,” Burle said.
Once installed, interceptors must be cleaned and inspected every three months. Cost for interceptors including installation can range from $8,000-$12,000.
City Clerk Ameila Wicks said many local establishments expressed to the city they are not against the program, but some have voiced concerns due to cost.
“Implementation is placing many businesses in hardships situation and fear that they may have to close,” Wicks said.
Councilman James Wilson at the Aug. 19 meeting made the motion to send a letter to the EPA pleading for the agency to lessen the burden on businesses for installation of a 1,000-gallon interceptor. Councilman Bill Boykin seconded it, with a unanimous vote from the entire board.
