With traffic gradually returning to popular eateries, we’re starting to hear more news about grease traps. Coming back from a lengthy hiatus is Grease Traps in the News, your one-stop shop for all things grease-trap-related from all parts of the US and beyond. Similar to previous installments, we’re highlighting notable issues surrounding grease traps and how improper monitoring and maintenance can lead to disaster. In this edition, we’ll be discussing the progress of grease trap legislation and the consequences of poor grease trap maintenance.
University Dining Hall Temporarily Shutdown Due to Grease Trap Overflow
March 11th, 2021: The dining center of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh was temporarily closed to all students when a clogged grease trap overflowed. The vice president of auxiliary services said that the grease traps are regularly pumped every six weeks. Even with the frequency of scheduled pumping, not having the tank cleaned by a professional contractor can lead to clogs and fatbergs, resulting in overflow and steep fines. It’s important to make sure your grease trap is routinely maintained.
Bryce’s Law is One Step Closer to Becoming NY State Law
June 2nd, 2021: If you’ve been keeping up with our Grease Trap in the News series, you likely remember the shocking death of 3-year-old Bryce Harper when he fell into the unsecured manhole cover of a grease trap in upstate New York on July 15th, 2019. In response, the community signed a local ordinance called Bryce’s Law, requiring yearly inspections of grease traps and for new safeguards to be put into place. After a unanimous vote by the state Assembly on June 2nd, the bill now needs to pass the state Senate and Gov. Andrew Cuomo before it’s enacted statewide.
Iowa Food Inspectors Crack Down on Restaurants Statewide
June 9th, 2021: In the past month, food and health inspectors across Iowa issued hundreds of food safety violations to restaurants. Of the most severe cases was a Dairy Queen Brazier whose sewage lines and a grease trap were emitting a “suffocating stench” in the building. This is a particularly dangerous violation, as the noxious fumes emitted by unmaintained grease traps can be damaging to one’s health, such as the case of a man who suffered a heart attack.
If there’s one thing these consequences of poor grease trap maintenance and the pushing of legislation reveal, it is that eateries should not cut corners when it comes to their grease traps. You should entrust your grease trap maintenance to a proven professional. At Food Grease Trappers, we’ll help you establish a cleaning and maintenance schedule that fits your needs. If you need our help with your grease trap, contact us today.
