City of Avondale
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Controlling fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in the collection system is an important component of an over all plan for minimizing sanitary sewer overflows.
Proper cleaning and maintenance of pretreatment devices is critical to the proper performance and effectiveness of pretreatment devices to eliminate/reduce FOG discharges into the sanitary sewer system.
Proper cleaning and maintenance of pretreatment devices is critical to the proper performance and effectiveness of pretreatment devices to eliminate/reduce FOG discharges into the sanitary sewer system.
"Grease, Oil, Hair, and Sand Interceptors: Grease, oil, hair, and sand interceptors shall be required when, in the opinion of the Director, they are necessary for the proper handling of Wastewater containing excessive amounts of FOG (Fats, Oils, & Grease), or sand; except that such interceptors shall not be required for residential Users. All interceptor units shall be of type and capacity approved by the Director and shall be so located to be easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. Such interceptors shall be inspected, cleaned and repaired regularly, as needed, by the User at the User's expense." City of Avondale Code Chapter 24-104 (b) (3)
Responsibilities of a commercial facility complying with Pretreatment Regulations:
- Hire a pumping company and maintain a set pumping schedule
- Oversee the pumping company is cleaning the interceptor properly
- Validate the pumping company is disposing of the waste properly
- Keep all pumping manifest on site or accessible for City Inspection for a period of at least three (3) years
- Email the Pretreatment Coordinator your records. This will minimize the inspection time.
Interceptor Cleaning Guidelines:
- Pump out ALL water and solids
- Scrape/hose the device to remove any debris adhering to its sides making sure device is completely clean
- Inspect/repair inlet/outlet elbows and tees
- Inspect/repair baffle walls and pass through
- Recommend refilling device with water through internal devices (e.g., floor drain)
- Develop pump-out schedules that prevent solids or floatable build-up in the final compartment
- Keep maintenance records on site for at least three years
- Recommend facility to witness the cleaning of the device and ensure it is operating properly
- Do not use bacteria for cleaning
- the Code prohibits discharging emulsifying agents into a pretreatment device
- Clean devices every 90 days at a minimum
- Material removed from a device will not be reintroduced to any device
- All material removed from a pretreatment device shall be disposed of in a proper manner.
If a business is found to have neglected maintenance or pumping of an interceptor and caused a public nuisance, they can be help financially liable for City costs incurred in removing, abating, or remedying said nuisance. City of Avondale Chapter 24-113 (f)