FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Transcription

1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Who is required to participate in the FOG Program? A: Any Class III or Class IV FSE (Food Service Establishment). Q: What is an FSE? A: An FSE or Food Service Establishment, is any facility engaged in preparing food for consumption by the public such as, but not limited to, restaurants, commercial kitchens, caterers, hotels, bakeries, donut shops, public and private schools, hospitals, prisons, correctional facilities, or care institutions. Q: How do I know if I am classified as a Class III or Class IV FSE? A: The Town of Manchester Health Department, utilizing the definitions set forth in the Connecticut Public Health Code, assigns a classification to all food service establishments. The Engineering Division obtained the list of all Class III and Class IV establishments for the purposes of administering this program. You either contact the Health Department at (860) or the Engineering Division at (860) Q: What is the purpose of the FOG Program? A: The purpose of the program is to eliminate FOG from the wastewater stream that is discharged to the sanitary sewer collection system. Q: What is FOG and where does it come from? A: FOG is the acronym for the fats, oils and grease generated when a food service establishment engages in one or more of the following practices. Using equipment such as deep fryer, grill, stir-fryer (wok), ovens, stoves, ranges, barbecue, rotisserie or similar cooking devices. Using cooking materials such as cooking oil, fat, lard, grease, butter, tallow, shortening and margarine. Preparation of beef, poultry, pork, seafood or other similar products. Preparation of sauces, cookies and pastries.

2 Q: Why is it important to eliminate FOG? A: Fats, oils and grease are singled out for special attention because of their poor solubility in water and their tendency to separate from the liquid solution. In warm liquid, the FOG is usually transported with the liquid and does not initially cause a problem. However, as soon as the liquid begins to cool it congeals, coating the interior of the pipe and forming solid masses. Large amounts of fats, oils and grease in the wastewater stream cause problems in the collection system pipes, pump stations and various components of the treatment plant process. The coating reduces the capacity of the pipes and the solid masses cause blockages in the system resulting in backups. In some instances the backups are severe enough to exit the collection system through manholes in the street or through internal plumbing fixtures such as sinks. Q: What are the basic requirements of the FOG Program? A: The FOG Program establishes the following basic requirements: Any FSE that generates waste FOG is required to obtain a FOG Permit. Each FSE is required to implement a Best Management Plan (BMPs) to reduce the amount of waste FOG discharged into the sewer system from the facility. Certain FSEs will be required to install a grease recovery device (e.g. grease trap or grease interceptor) unless granted a Conditional Variance. Q: How do I start the FOG Permit application process? A: The best way to begin the permitting process is to review the online guidance documents in order to get an overview of the program. To obtain a permit, the FSE owner/operator must receive a plan review approval from the Engineering Division and must also implement and demonstrate compliance with a Best Management Plan (BMP). To receive a plan review approval, obtain more information regarding BMPs and to apply for a permit, please contact Bernard Kalansuriya, Design Engineer, at (860) Application forms are available at the above referenced web site. Please note that the FOG Permit is non-transferable. Q: What is a Best Management Plan (BMP)? A: A BMP is a compilation of activities and procedures performed by the FSE that prevent the discharge of waste FOG to the sewer system. All FSEs are obligated to insure full compliance with their approved BMPs.

3 Q: What is a Grease Trap (GT) and how does it work? A: A Grease Trap (GT) is an interior device with a small reservoir for the collection of FOG. The device is built into the interior wastewater piping a short distance from the grease producing area. Baffles in the reservoir retain the wastewater long enough for the grease to congeal and rise to the surface. The grease can then be removed and disposed properly. See How a Grease Trap Works for a description of how the various components of a grease trap function. Q: What is a Grease Interceptor (GI) and how does it work? A: A Grease Interceptor (GI) is an exterior device with a minimum size of 750 gallons. The device is installed in the exterior wastewater drainage system. The vault includes a minimum of two compartments, and flow between each compartment is designed for grease retention. The capacity of the interceptor provides adequate residence time so that the wastewater has time to cool, allowing any remaining grease not collected by internal traps time to congeal and rise to the surface where it accumulates until the interceptor is cleaned. See How a Grease Interceptor Works for a description of how the various components of a grease interceptor function. Q: Do I need a grease trap or grease interceptor? A: Any establishment that introduces FOG into the sanitary sewer collection system in quantities large enough to cause line blockages or hinder sewage treatment is required to install a grease trap or interceptor. Grease traps are required for small volume dischargers (i.e. fast food or take-out restaurants with limited menus, minimum dishwashing, and/or minimal seating capacity). Grease interceptors are required for high volume dischargers (i.e. restaurants with full menus and large commercial establishments such as hotels, hospitals, factories, or school kitchens). Medium volume establishments may be required to install an interceptor depending upon the size of the establishment. Q: Who determines if I need a grease trap or interceptor? A: As previously indicated, the Engineering Division, acting on behalf of the Sewer Department, will review all FOG applications. Based upon the information provided with the application and the guidelines set forth by the DEP, the Engineering Division will determined the need to install a grease trap or interceptor.

4 Q: What if I don t install a grease trap or interceptor? A: If the establishment uses fats, oils or grease in food preparation, it will eventually encounter a maintenance problem with a plugged wastewater discharge line. The blockage can create a sewer backup situation and ultimately a potential health problem in the establishment. Someone will have to pay for removing the blockage. If the problem is in the discharge line from the building to the public sewer main, then the establishment has direct responsibility for paying for the maintenance. If the blockage or restriction is in the public sewer main, and it can be proven that the establishment is the cause of the blockage, then the establishment may have to pay for the public sewer to be maintained. Q: What if I choose not to participate in the FOG Program? A: The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) does not allow Class III or Class IV food preparation establishments to opt out of the program. DEP has made it clear to the municipality that they intend to aggressively enforce compliance. It may be possible to receive a Conditional Variance (CV) from certain aspects of the program s requirements. However, everyone one must register as a part of the program. Variances are only granted when the discharger can demonstrate that the quantity of FOG discharged to the sanitary sewer system is diminimis. All variances must be reviewed annually to insure that they remain valid. Q: What is a Conditional Variance (CV)? A: A CV is a signed agreement between the Town and a FSE, granting the FSE a variance from specific requirements of the FOG Program, provided that the FSE complies with the requirements of the Conditional Variance. Q: Who is eligible for a CV? A: All registered FSEs have the right to request a CV. However, it should be noted that variances are considered the exception not the rule. Q: What is an Existing FSE? A: All FSEs in operation on or before September 30, 2005 are considered existing FSEs.

5 Q: How can I obtain a CV? A: If you are an existing Food Service Establishment (FSE), then you should complete a Conditional Variance application form and return it to the Engineering Division. A visit to your facility may be required to properly process the application. If a CV is granted, then the terms and conditions of the CV are explained and an authorized representative from your establishment has the option to then sign the CV. If you choose not to sign the CV, then full and immediate compliance with the requirements of the FOG Program shall be required. Q: What are the terms and conditions of a Conditional Variance? A: An FSE is required to comply with the following terms and conditions: The FSE must "dry wipe" all pots, pans, dishes and work areas prior to washing of such utensils, equipment or areas. The FSE must dispose of all food waste directly into the trash or garbage receptacles and not into sinks. The FSE must collect waste cooking oil and store it properly in recycling barrels or drums. The FSE must comply with any other conditions deemed appropriate as a result of the CV application review process. The FSE must not be found to have contributed to a FOG accumulation in the sewer collection system that results, or threatens to result, in a Sewer Sanitary Overflow (SSO). Additional terms and conditions may be deemed appropriate as a result of the review of the FSE s operation. Q: What happens if the FSE violates these terms and conditions? A: The Conditional Variance will be revoked and the FSE shall immediately be required to bring their establishment into full compliance with the requirements of the FOG Program, including but not limited to, the installation of FOG recovery devices. Q: Where can I get more information on the requirements of the program? A: Guidance documents provided by the DEP have been placed on the Town s web site and can be viewed at the link indicated below.