Grease Trap Program
Traps are used for protecting the sewer system from stoppages. These stoppages are public and environmental health concerns. They can cause backups of sewage into homes and businesses and overflow of sewers onto the ground and into waterways. Most traps are used to control FOG (fats, oils, and grease). Others may include lint traps or sand oil separators.
What is FOG?
FOG refers to liquids that are insoluble in water that enter the sewer system as fats, oils, and grease. FOG is often a byproduct of cooking. Some sources include dairy products, salad dressings, cooked meats, and food scraps.
Residential FOG:
These tips will help prevent drain issues in your own plumbing system as well as prevent sewer overflows into you and your neighbors’ homes.
- Scrape as much residue, grease, and food scraps off of the pans, plates, and cooking utensils into the garbage.
- Use a paper towel to wipe out remaining grease before washing.
- Although you may have a garbage disposal, never pour grease or food scraps down the drain. Use a drain screen instead. Regardless of chasing grease with hot water or dish soap, grease eventually cools and solidifies again in pipes.
- FOG can be poured into containers. When solidified, throw in the trash.
Commercial Enforcement:
Unless the location is no longer used for cooking, businesses that have grease traps are required to have them pumped on at least an annual basis. In order for the control authority to determine the appropriate pumping frequency, the percent of the trap filled since the latest trap cleaning is recorded. Smaller operations may need to have an under-sink trap. A manifest or receipt should be sent to the control authority as soon as the trap is cleaned. Often the pumping frequency can be reduced by training employees on BMPs (Best Management Practices).
Please help protect the public and the environment by keeping FOG out of the drains.
Please send manifests to:
Megan Jones
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Office: (479) 968-2080 ext. 231
Fax: (479) 968-3265
mjones@citycorporation.com
PO Box 3186 Russellville, AR 72811-3186