Grease Best Management Practices

Going the Extra Mile

The best way for restaurants to keep their grease interceptor/trap in good working order and to keep their lateral line clog free is to follow a Best Management Practices (BMP) Plan.

Following a BMP also keeps the layers of grease and grit below the regulated levels. A grease interceptor shall be considered out of compliance if the grease layer exceeds six inches and/or the solids layer exceeds twelve inches in depth. If these levels are breached an establishment will receive a Notice of Violation and be required to pump out their unit more frequently.

Following the BMP’s will help establishments save money and help lower the amount of FOG that enters the collection system. This in turn lowers the chance of any SSO’s which are bad for the environment and Apopka’s residents. 

Best Management Practices to Lower Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)

  • Scrape excess food, oil, and grease from cookware and utensils into the trash prior to washing.  
  • Use strainers in sink drains that have 3/16 inch or less openings to catch food waste. Empty these strainers into the trash for solid waste disposal. 
  • Never pour grease down the drain. Pour used oils into a spent grease container for collection by a hauler service.
  • Post “No Grease” signs by sinks. Signs serve as a constant reminder for employees working in kitchens to dispose of grease properly.
  • Do not pour hot water over 140 degrees Fahrenheit down a drain with a grease trap/interceptor. Temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit will liquify grease, causing it to pass through the grease interceptors, rather than being retained. The grease will then solidify in the sanitary sewer collection system as the water cools, causing build-ups and possible blockages.  
  • Train all staff in BMP’s and the importance of preventing sewer pipes clogs. Employees are more willing to support an effort if they understand its importance.  
  • Work closely with your hauling company to make sure your interceptor is serviced at the proper frequency. Make sure hauler leaves a copy of each pump out report. Keep a year’s worth of manifest on site.  
  • If the pump out report indicates that the interceptor is in need of repair, contact hauler or plumber to have it serviced immediately.