Is it time for pumpkin spiced lattes again? Let’s look back on summer! Welcome again to Grease Traps in the News, your one-stop-shop for all things grease-trap related, from all parts of the US and beyond. As always, we’re highlighting the various issues that can arise around grease traps from highlighting successes to issues that hurt businesses and the communities around them. This time around, we’re covering everything from oil dumping to grease trap safety.
Gainesville: Wings Joint Dumps Oil, Pollutes Own Property
June 10th: The WingHouse Bar & Grill is in trouble with the local Floridian police after it was discovered they had been pouring used chicken wing cooking oil onto multiple parts of their property. They have been fined by the City of Gainesville for violating a city ordinance creating an “irreparable” hazardous condition as the dumped oil has polluted the ground and a retention pond behind the restaurant that collects stormwater. It’s important to note that there isn’t a US city where grease dumping is allowed, and the use of a grease trap and oil recycling is required or suggested.
Rochester: Death of a Toddler Causes Review of Grease Trap Safety
July 16th: Tragedy struck in upstate New York when a 3-year-old toddler fell into a grease trap behind a Tim Hortons, causing officials to review grease trap safety. Rochester police were summoned to the chain restaurant upon reports of a missing child, where the child had been located but unresponsive in the grease trap. While he was rescued, he was non-responsive to CPR. It is believed the child walked over the lid, which gave out as they fell through, and then snapped back into place. This isn’t the first time this has occurred in recent years, but we are seeing progress come out of it as grease trap security sweeps were made the following month.
Amarillo: City Moves to Enforce New Grease Trap Plan
August 29th: Restaurant and bar owners are grumbling in Texas this month as the city of Amarillo begins enforcing a new law for all places where food is served to have “a waste water pre-treatment permit” – part of the city’s grease trap program.
“Keep in mind, according to state law, food is anything you can consume, so steak dinner or an alcoholic beverage is food,” said Anthony Spanel, the city’s environmental health director. “Many facilities that you would consider a bar serve more than alcohol, they do peanuts, milks, creams, whipped creams, serving specialty drinks and things like that.”
The permit will require an assessment to see if a new grease trap is needed, as well as a cost that will help FOGS maintenance in sewers. Establishments without a grease trap will have some leeway in time, with grease trap installations and upgrades only required at the change of owner or use, or during extensive remodel or repair.
Make sure your establishment is ready for the fall rush. Grease trap problems keep popping up in the news. Make sure your restaurant doesn’t. Food Grease Trappers are experts in the field of grease trap maintenance and waste vegetable oil (WVO) collections for the foodservice industry, and we have been doing so for more than 20 years. If you need assistance with your grease trap in New England, make sure to contact us.
