Doug Gibson:

Phone: (850) 969-6513 Email: doug.gibson@ecua.fl.gov

Jason Wise:

Phone: (850)969-6514 Email: jason.wise@ecua.fl.gov

The best way to prevent problems with FOG is to avoid disposal in the wastewater system. Recycling is the preferred FOG disposal method, as it eliminates extra waste from going into the landfill. However, if you put FOG in the trash, these are recommended methods:

• Pour cooled grease into an empty can or plastic bottle before placing it in the trash.
• Scrape food scraps from dishes into the trash.
• Use rubber scrapers and paper towels to remove oil and grease from cookware.
• Avoid using a garbage disposal.
• Put baskets or strainers in sinks to catch food scraps and then empty them in the trash.
• Use an ECUA Residential Cooking Oil Disposal Station

DO NOT

• Use the garbage disposal. The garbage disposal only grinds up items before passing them into your sewer pipes.
• Use hot water to eliminate oil and grease. Hot water only gives the illusion of dissolving grease. The grease will eventually cool and build up in the pipes.
• Try to dissolve oil and grease using dish soap. Dish soap temporarily breaks up grease as you wash your dishes, but the soap will eventually lose its effectiveness causing the grease to solidify in the pipes.

There is presently a monthly administrative fee of $25.00 per month, which is added to the water bill of the FOG producer.
Note: To review violations, see Resolution 08-10.

• Complete and submit Fog Application/Permit (Within 90 days from letter date).

• Ensure grease interceptor/trap is functioning properly and submit Grease Interceptor/Trap Inspection checklist.

• All users shall service their interceptors by pumping as necessary, so as not to exceed the 25% Rule or at a frequency determined by ECUA.

• We recommend that the FSE perform a stick test a minimum of once per month to confirm compliance with the 25% Rule.

• Grease traps shall be cleaned at a minimum frequency of once per week or more often, if deemed by ECUA.

• Grease Hauler Manifest must be filled out completely and accurately.

• Grease Haulers Manifest must be returned to the ECUA within 10 days of cleaning grease interceptor/trap.

• Retain all records of training, grease interceptor/trap maintenance and pumps outs for a minimum of three years. The FOG generator is responsible for any FOG discharge into the sanitary sewer system.

Grease Haulers Manual

Fats, Oils, and Grease Discharge Application Form

FOG Training Tracking Form

FOG Training Development Form

Grease Hauler Manifiest Form

Grease Hauler Manifiest

Resolution 08-10

Florida Building Code Chapter 10

If an FSE fails an inspection, an ECUA Compliance Inspector shall re-inspect the FSE within 10 calendar days. The FSE shall be charged a re-inspection fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

If 25% or more of the grease interceptor‘s capacity is filled with grease and floating solids, it must be pumped and cleaned immediately.

A grease trap shall be cleaned at least once a week; in some case depending on the volume of business the FSE shall clean it every day.

An ECUA inspector will inspect an FSE approximately every 90 days.

The ECUA Preferred Hauler Program (PHP) are select vendors that pump out and dispose of grease trap/interceptor contents that meet certain criteria established by ECUA. Standardized procedures increase the likelihood that grease traps/interceptors are cleaned correctly, and reduce fats, oils and grease (FOG) into the sewer system. FOG generators are encouraged to use vendors in the PHP. When generators use a vendor in the Program, the hauler will assume responsibility for submitting completed pump out reports. Also, grease trap inspections will be focused on the haulers performance in maintaining the trap and most discrepancies could be addressed to the hauler not the generator.

PHP Benefits

• PHP list provided to all FOG Generators.
• Preferred Haulers will assume responsibility for completing and submitting pump out reports and accept consequences for discrepancies.
• Submission of required paperwork.
  • Acceptable disposal method documentation.
  • Acceptable grease trap maintenance performance.
  • A commitment to the service of their customers as well as the FOG program

Approved Haulers List

Requirements for Approved Haulers

Grease Control Best Management Practices (BMPs) are practices that will reduce the amount of FOG that enters the sewer system from your food service establishment. The least expensive alternative that can be used in reducing grease in the sewer is improved kitchen management practices.

• Never empty waste from a deep fryer into a floor drain.
• Scrape or wipe fat, oil, grease, and other food residue from cookware, utensils, etc., before washing or placing in dishwasher.
• Use paper towels to wipe down work areas.
• Use food grade paper to soak up oil and grease under fryer baskets.
• Use kitty litter to absorb spills, then sweep and dispose in trash.
• Collect and empty grill scraping and fryer vat grease in grease recycling container.
• Do not put food or liquid food, including dairy products, milk shake syrups, batters and gravy down the drain.
• Empty grease containers before they are completely full to avoid spilling.
• Use detergents, not soaps (soaps contain oil).
• Use strainers designed for sinks in your facility to capture as much of the solid material as possible.
• Use garbage disposals as sparingly as possible. Food particles that pass through the grinder may be trapped in the grease trap, and will require maintenance. Those particles that do not get trapped will pass through to the sewer collection system, where they may cause a blockage, and/or may result in fees assessed to your facility.

Following these simple guidelines along with having a correctly sized and properly functioning grease interceptor will reduce the amount of FOG discharged to the sewer system.