What is grease?
Grease is a word commonly used to describe Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG). FOG is found in common food and food ingredients such as dairy products, meat, fish, butter, cooking oil, mayonnaise, dressings, gravies, sauces, nuts, coffee beans and food scraps.
Grease in the sewers
Grease build-up in sewers causes them to overflow potentially damaging homes, businesses and the environment.
When grease interceptors (or grease traps) are not properly maintained, grease from commercial kitchens goes into the sewer. Grease build-up in our sewers causes them to overflow, potentially damaging homes, businesses and the environment. At least $2 million is spent every year to deal with the effects of grease, including infrastructure maintenance and managing spills.
New requirements for grease interceptors
On October 26, 2012 we implemented a bylaw that establishes new maintenance requirements and limits on the amount of grease and solids that can flow out of grease interceptors and into sewers. Establishments that are not in compliance with those requirements may be subject to re-inspection fees and/or a fine.
What is a grease interceptor?
A
grease interceptor (or grease trap) is a device that separates fats, oils and grease from wastewater and stops it from entering the sewer system. All commercial kitchens whose wastewater contains fat, oils and grease are now required by law to have a properly installed and maintained grease interceptor.
