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Fats oils grease FOG restrictions violations and regulations

10 FOG Guidelines in Louisville, Kentucky

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Fats, oil, and grease (FOG) can clog up the sewer system like nothing else. As FOG escapes from kitchens and into the sewer lines and pump stations, grease coats pipes and systems. These blockages eventually can cause sewer overflows into homes and businesses, degrade the quality of water sources, and corrode pipes.  That’s why cities implement best practices for grease traps and FOG rules. In Louisville, Kentucky, there are several Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) Management Guidelines that all commercial kitchens must follow.

FOG Guidelines in Louisville

The Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) is a regional non-profit agency that monitors and maintains the wastewater treatment system in the metropolitan area. MSD has a significant amount of guidance and sets of rules related to FOG disposal. Food service establishments (FSEs) need to be in compliance with the FOG management guidelines MSD sets. These guidelines, which outline 17 points (excluding subpoints) can be found in a PDF available on the MSD website. However, for ease of access, we will be outlining 10 of the most important points here.

1. FSEs must use certified plumbers/haulers to manage FOG.

Grease traps and interceptors require specific cleaning. MSD requires FSEs to have certified plumbers/haulers perform cleaning and removal procedures. Moon Grease Trap Cleaning is one of the certified haulers for Louisville, KY and Lexington, KY. Certified plumbers/haulers go through MSD-led training to stay up to date with procedures. This is a safeguard and a seal of approval from the government that says we know how to correctly pump grease traps and interceptors, as well as how to safely dispose of the waste. These professionals are the people you should work closely with for your regular trap and interceptor maintenance and certification. MSD requires documentation of all cleanings and inspections too. Working with these professionals ensures that you will be up to code and have all of the paperwork you need in an organized fashion.

2. Grease Trap Cleaning and Maintenance Requirements

The frequency of grease trap cleanings in Louisville, KY should be consistent with the following requirements:

  1. Grease traps shall be cleaned of complete fats, oils, and grease and food solids by an approved MSD Certified Grease Waste Hauler monthly (minimum) OR
  2. If the FOG and food solids content of the grease trap is greater than 25% of the water depth capacity of the grease trap.
    1. If this the case, then the grease trap needs to be cleaned weekly or as frequently as needed to prevent surpassing 25%.

3.  Grease Interceptor Cleaning and Maintenance Requirements

The frequency of grease interceptor cleanings in Louisville, KY should be consistent with the following requirements:

  1. Grease interceptors must be pumped-in-full by an approved MSD Certified Grease Waste Hauler when the total accumulations of surface FOG (including floating solids) and settled solids reaches twenty-five percent (25%) of the grease interceptor’s overall liquid depth.
    1. This is known as the 25% rule.
  2. At no time, shall the cleaning frequency of the grease interceptor exceed 90 days, unless approved by MSD.
  3. Some existing FSEs in Class 2 through 5 will need to consider a 30 day pumping frequency or a 60 day pumping frequency to meet the 25 Percent Rule requirement.
  4. Partial pump of interceptor contents or on-site pump & treatment of GI contents will not be allowed due to reintroduction of fats, oils and grease to the interceptor and pursuant.

4. Food establishments are classified by size and need to satisfy the grease trap size requirements of their class.

Depending on the type of establishment you run, MSD assigned a different FSE class. There are 5 classes with different minimum acceptable sizes of GCE:

  1. Class 1: 25 gallons per minute/50 pound grease trap if an exemption has not been granted by MSD.
    1. Delis
    2. Daycare Facilities
    3. Frozen Yogurt Ships
    4. Ice Cream Shops
    5. Beverage Bars
    6. Coffee Shops
    7. Mobile Food Vendors
  2. Class 2: 1,000 gallon grease trap or equivalent device which has been approved by the Kentucky Division of Plumbing and MSD.
    1. Limited-Service Restaurants
    2. Fast Food Facilities
    3. Catering Restaurants
    4. Grocery/Food Marts
  3. Class 3: 1,000 gallon Grease Interceptor or equivalent device which has been approved by the Kentucky Division of Plumbing and MSD.
    1. Full-Service Restaurants
  4. Class 4: 1,500 gallon Grease Interceptor or equivalent device which has been approved by the Kentucky Division of Plumbing and MSD.
    1. Buffets
    2. Cafeteria Facilities

Class 5: 2,000 gallon grease interceptor or two 1000 gallon grease interceptors installed in series or equivalent devices which has been approved by the Kentucky Division of Plumbing and MSD.

  • Institutions
  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Prisons

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  1. Grease interceptor capacity should not exceed 2,000 gallons for each interceptor tank. In the event that the grease interceptor calculated capacity needs to exceed 2,000 gallons, the FSE shall install an additional interceptor of the appropriate size.
  2. If FSEs need more than one interceptors, then they need to be installed in such a manner to ensure positive flow between the tanks at all times. Therefore, tanks shall be installed so that the inlet invert of each successive tank shall be a minimum of 2 inches below the outlet invert of the preceding tank.
  3. Grease interceptors that are installed in series shall include adaptors, gaskets or flexible transition couplings of minimum of schedule 40 PVC pipe.

5. Pipes and sewer lines need to be separate from each other.

Kitchen process lines and sanitary lines may combine prior to entering the public sewer ONLY AFTER passing through the grease control equipment.

Sanitary wastewater, or black water, cannot be connected to grease control equipment.

6. Coffee shops have additional regulations.

Coffee shops do not get exemptions due to the pH of wastewater. They will also be required to install polyethylene, plastic or fiberglass under 25 gallon per minute/50 lb capacity sink grease traps on 3-compartment sinks.

7. Compliance deadlines have a 6-month or less timestamp.

FSEs with existing substandard or undersized grease control equipment will get a written notice of deficiency from MSD. Compliance deadlines will not exceed more than 6 months.

8. There are several important prohibitions.

Prohibited actions by FSEs to avoid contributing to the MSD collection system include:

  1. Running hot water continuously through grease control equipment
  2. Discharge concentrated alkaline or acidic solutions into grease control equipment
  3. Discharge of concentrated detergents into grease control equipment
  4. Use additives for grease management
    1. Additives are any products that contain solvents, acids, bacteria, enzymes, emulsifiers, and other similar ingredients. They have the potential to contribute to FOG buildup and interference with MSD systems. This is especially problematic if you use them right before liquids go into grease traps or interceptors.

There are a few exceptions here. You can use additives to clean drain lines, but only in amounts and ways such that FOGs won’t be put into the sewer system or that FOGs will be temporarily broken down and allowed to pass through grease traps and interceptors. Additionally, 100% bacteria additives are allowed to be used, but you need to get MSD approval first. Always check with MSD before using any additives you think may be allowable.

9. FSEs shall observe Best Management Practices (BMPs) for controlling the discharge of FOG from their facility.

The Best Management Practices include:

  • Keep Grease out of kitchen drains by collecting and rendering yellow grease in a recycling bin that a permitted waste hauler can accept.
  • Scrape grease and food solids from plates and cookware before washing.
  • Use strainers in the sink and floor drains to prevent large food particles from entering internal plumbing and public sewers.
  • Never pour grease, dairy products, syrups, icings, batters, or gravies into floor drains or mop sinks.
  • Wipe up grease spills with paper towels or absorbents before using water.
  • Have your Grease Control Equipment cleaned on the proper frequency by a Certified Hauler.
  • Educate and train employees on all kitchen Best Management Practices.

10. MSD has the right of entry for inspection and monitoring of grease control equipment.

MSD retains the right to enter the premises of restaurants and kitchens to determine whether the FSE is complying with MSD policy. FSEs must allow MSD personnel full access to all parts of the premises for the purpose of inspection, monitoring, and/or records examination after presenting their credentials. Furthermore, unreasonable delays in allowing MSD personnel access to the FSE premises will result in a violation of the Wastewater/Stormwater Discharge Regulations and FOG Guidelines.

Keep Up to Date With MSD Guidelines in Louisville, KY with Moon Grease Trap Cleaning

There are plenty of other requirements a restaurant and a certified grease hauler need to satisfy in Louisville, KY. Since we need to know the best practices and certification needs, Moon Grease Trap Cleaning has knowledgeable experts who will make sure your FSE is up to code. Schedule your next grease service by contacting Moon Grease Trap Cleaning at 502-776-2199!  We are happy to answer any and all questions you may have!

Moon Companies
Moon Grease Trap Cleaning is a part of Moon Companies. We offer a wide variety of trade services for the citizens and businesses of Louisville, KY, Southern Indiana, and the surrounding areas.
  1. Shipping Container Rentals: For those looking to buy or rent new or used shipping containers, Moon Trailer Leasing has a large selection of one-trip Conex boxes, as well as pre-fabricated portable offices.
  2. Portapotty Rentals: Rent out restrooms, luxury bathroom trailers, commercial shower trailers, and handwashing stations from Moon Portable Restrooms for your next construction site or outdoor event.
  3. Dumpster Rentals: Moon Mini Dumpsters delivers roll-off dumpsters directly to your home or business and then hauls away your trash for you.
  4. Refrigerated Container Rentals: For refrigerated containers rentals in Louisville, KY, contact Moon Refrigeration about our ready-to-go reefer containers.
  5. Portable Storage Units: Go Minis KY is a premier storage choice that offers an onsite storage, location-to-location moving services, and secure warehouse storage
  6. Grease Trap and Interceptor Cleaning: Keep your restaurant up to regulation and schedule your restaurant’s grease trap cleanings with Moon Grease Trap Cleaning.
Call us today at 502-776-2199 to learn more or schedule your service!
What is FOG? Fats Oils Grease

What is FOG?

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FOG, or Fats, Oils, and Grease, refers to byproducts that are created during food preparation, cooking, dish cleaning, and grease cleaning. It has the potential to enter wastewater and clog up the sewer system. Let’s take a look at the science behind FOG and why it’s so important to prevent build-up.

What is FOG?

As mentioned above, FOG (Fats, Oil, and Grease) is a byproduct of cooking. Many types of food and food byproducts combine to form this byproduct in the cooking process, including meats, fish, nuts, dairy products, soups, and more. FOG is sometimes referred to as brown grease. Basically, it’s the greasy gunk that is left over after you are done cooking.

FOG is made up of fatty acids and glycerol. One example of a part of a FOG compound is triglycerides. Triglycerides are found in vegetable oils and animal fats. They can be either solid or liquid at room temperature, and are less dense than water, so they float in water. At a chemical level, this chemical compound is comprised of three fatty acids and one molecule of glycerol.

Settings where FOG can be an issue

Any setting where cooking happens can lead to a high amount of FOG. We might first think of restaurants when we think of FOG. Restaurants do create a lot of it in the process of producing their products. But, there are plenty of other sources too, like hospitals, community centers, bakeries, hotels, and more. These FOG-producing entities are collectively referred to as Food Service Establishments (FSE). As a collective, FSE are very significant contributors of FOG to sewer systems.

How it affects the sewer system

If FOG is not properly removed from wastewater, its presence can wreak havoc in sewer systems. Elements of it end up clogging sewer pipes through a series of complex chemical reactions when it enters the sewer system. Basically, it breaks down and reforms to combine with other chemicals present in sewers, leading to a buildup of soap-like compounds. These blockages reduce the flow of wastewater in sewers, and if left unaddressed can completely block outflows. This means sewers can overflow and plumbing can be blocked in commercial and residential settings.

Preventing blockages

The best way to prevent these blockages from becoming issues is to prevent FOG from entering sewer systems in the first place. This is where grease traps and grease interceptors come in handy at FSE. Grease traps and interceptors are systems that help remove FOG from wastewater before that water enters the sewer system. Check out our blog post on how these two systems work in more detail.

Grease traps and interceptors are crucial for public sewer systems, and as such there are a number of rules and regulations on their use for FSE. But, the specific regulations can vary by state and locality. Working with an experienced business like Moon Grease Trap Cleaning is a great way to stay up to date on regulations and maintain clean and safe grease traps and grease interceptors.

Schedule your next grease service by contacting Moon Grease Trap Cleaning at 502-776-2199. We are happy to answer any and all questions you may have.

What happens to used grease and cooking oils? Grease trap cleaning

Used Grease and Cooking Oils

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Grease and used cooking oil: if you own a restaurant, you probably produce plenty of these as a byproduct of cooking. You may already know that grease traps are an important way to filter these out from your wastewater. But did you know that the used grease and oils they collect are actually quite useful and sought after? Let’s take a deeper dive into used restaurant grease and oils. 

Uses for Grease and Oils 

There are around 4.4 billion pounds of used cooking oil generated by the food service industry each year in North America alone. Up until the 1990’s, these byproducts were primarily used in the rendering industry. Cleaned and processed oils are useful for everything from animal feed to paint and plastics, and people in the industry pursued these uses for years. But in the 1990’s, another use emerged: biofuel. When properly cleaned and filtered, used oils and greases can be converted into valuable fuel. The rendering industry began to use the oil in mass for biofuels, with significant positive effects. For one, reusing old oils and grease is cheaper than relying on new fuel. Plus, the low carbon biofuel is just as effective as diesel fuel, but with up to 85% fewer carbon emissions.

With a clear benefit to reusing these oils, an industry continued to develop. There have actually been government mandates for refineries that require a certain amount of biofuel to be added to petroleum fuels too. These factors and others have led to a high value on used restaurant oils and grease. 

The Rise of the Grease Thief

With soaring value came an opportunity for unsavory thievery. More and more people with an eye for the rising market value began to steal used restaurant grease. They found plenty of opportunity, with lots of businesses storing their byproducts in traps or interceptors outside their buildings. When unsecured, this makes for an easy target and payday on this new liquid gold. 

Of course, selling requires a buyer. Unfortunately, there seem to be plenty of people willing to look the other way on the source of used oils and grease. While many biofuel companies perform their due diligence to vet potential sellers, some have not worked hard enough to help weed out illegitimate sales. Companies have faced some pressure to start examining sources more rigorously. 

What This Means for Restaurants

Fortunately, there’s a lot restaurants can do to help prevent this theft. Monitoring trap and interceptor levels between servicing is an important way to tell if there has been any theft. Plus, they can even install fences and other security measures to obscure access and ensure protection. They can also move their infrastructure to indoor traps to add a lot of security. 

Don’t forget- just as security is crucial, so is a regular maintenance schedule! Moon Grease Traps offers servicing for grease interceptors and traps at any establishment. From a single grease trap, to one per sink in larger establishments, to an outdoor interceptor, we have you covered. Schedule your next grease service by contacting Moon Grease Trap Cleaning at 502-776-2199. We are happy to answer any and all questions you may have!

What's the difference between a grease trap and a grease interceptor?

Grease Traps vs. Grease Interceptors

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Grease traps and grease interceptors are grease collection systems that many establishments use. There are a few key things that differentiate the two systems. Here’s a look at some key similarities and differences.

Grease traps

Grease traps are typically small metal boxes located inside of the business they are used for. They help remove greases and solids from wastewater before it enters the wastewater disposal system. Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) that are commonly disposed of in food-producing businesses can build up in wastewater treatment facilities and septic tanks. When unaddressed, this can overwhelm infrastructure and lead to the release of untreated sewage. These oils can also cool and solidify, combining with other solids in the waste system to block pipes. Grease traps help prevent all of this from the getgo by removing FOG before they enter the system. 

Since grease traps are small, several are often used in larger establishments, one per sink. Liquids from sinks flow into the traps, and solids that are more dense than water drop to the bottom while greases (less dense than water) float to the top. The remaining water, which is mostly grease free, is then piped into the waste system. Businesses typically service grease traps on a monthly basis. Health code regulations specify cleaning schedules and procedures. 

Grease interceptors

Grease interceptors perform the same function as grease traps. However, they are much larger, with a single interceptor serving an entire establishment. Given the size of the interceptors, they are often located outside of a business and accessed through a maintenance hole cover. 

The function and mechanics of grease interceptors are similar to those of grease traps. Dirty water from a business flows into a large container that separates out solids and grease. Interceptors do this with a series of retention reservoirs and baffles (walls). They then pipe cleaned water into the waste system. Given their large size, grease interceptors are usually cleaned once every two or three months. 

Cleaning Grease Traps and Interceptors

Both the floating FOGs and the solids at the bottom of the grease traps and interceptors must be regularly disposed of. Professionals like Moon Grease Trap Cleaning can thoroughly pump out, clean and dispose of all grease, wastewater, and solid material from your grease trap system. Plus, they can help keep track of your maintenance schedule and adherence to regulations. 

It’s important to regularly schedule cleaning for both types systems. For one, properly functioning systems prevent a negative environmental impact from sewage overflow or blockage. Plus, it can save time and money by preventing a backed up system that can shut down business. Professionals can also make recommendations about cleaning commercial kitchens to mitigate the impact of FOGs on your grease trap or interceptor system and the environment. 

Schedule your next grease service by contacting Moon Grease Trap Cleaning at 502-776-2199. We are happy to answer any and all questions you may have.

Moon Grease Trap Cleaning Company Louisville and Lexington Kentucky

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Grease Trap Cleaning Service

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As a grease trap cleaning service with many years of experience working with restaurants and food establishments across the Louisville, Kentucky and Lexington, Kentucky region, we sometimes get asked what the benefits of hiring our services are as opposed to handling grease disposal in house.

While some businesses may opt to handle grease trap cleaning in-house, there are many benefits to hiring a company like Moon.  Follow along to learn more about the benefits of hiring a professional grease trap cleaning service to take care of your needs.

7 Benefits of Hiring A Professional To Clean Your Grease Traps

 

Let Someone Else Handle The Mess.

As you might expect, handling Fats, Oils and Grease aka “FOG” can be very messy. Fortunately we have many years of experience handling every grease trap cleaning scenario. Despite that, the job is messy and there is little way to avoid getting dirty while getting it done right.

Let Someone Else Handle The Stink.

Cleaning out grease traps is not only a messy job, but it is a smelly one too. Our grease trap cleaning pros know how to do everything possible to minimize odors during the cleaning process. They can also provide helpful tips to further assist with this in your normal operational day-to-day.

Use The Right Equipment.

Moon Grease Trap Cleaning has invested thousands of dollars in the best equipment for the job. This includes the top of the line provac machines made by Conde that we use to suction out the grease from your grease traps as well as the huge holding tanks we have on our vehicles to transport the grease for processing.

Get The Job Done At A Convenient Day & Time.

The Moon Grease Trap Cleaning team services companies at all hours of the day. Many of our customers prefer early morning appointments before customers are on the premises. Regardless of time of day, we can work to meet your schedule. This frees you up to do all the other jobs that need to get done to keep your business running effectively.

Make Sure Your Equipment Is In Good Shape.

We have seen thousands of grease traps over the years. With this experience, it is easy for us to tell if your grease trap has any potential problems. During our grease trap cleaning services, we are also inspecting your machine. You will be the first to get alerted if there are any damaged parts that need replacing.

Stay Compliant.

Grease trap cleaning is required for restaurants and food establishments in the Louisville and Lexington Kentucky region. Our experienced grease trap cleaning professionals make sure your grease trap practices are compliant with any regulations. This includes handling all required paperwork and appropriate disposal of the wastes. This saves you time and gives you peace of mind so that you can focus on other aspects of your job.

Get Grease Trap Advice From The Pros.

There are many different types of grease traps ranging greatly in size and materials. With our experience serving so many, our technicians can provide excellent grease trap related grease. This spans the gamut from helpful tips on simple things you can do to reduce the smell accumulating in your grease traps, to the best types of grease trap designs for your specific needs.

Moon Grease Trap Cleaning has been servicing restaurants and food establishments throughout the Louisville Kentucky and Lexington Kentucky area for many years. Our grease trap cleaning technicians service restaurants and food establishments of every size ranging from large national chains to one location businesses.

For additional information including a free quote, give us a call today at 502-776-2199.  We service grease traps throughout Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

 

tips for cleaner grease traps

8 Tips Every Restaurant Should Follow For Cleaner Grease Traps

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8 Tips Every Restaurant Should Follow For Cleaner Grease Traps

Regardless of the types of food and drink a restaurant offers, grease is an inevitable challenge.  Some restaurants have to deal with a lot of grease, while others manage lessor amounts.  Estimates from the National Restaurant Association (NRA) project that restaurants generate upwards of 5 billion pounds of grease a year. Knowing how to effectively handle grease to prevent problems is a very important task for every food establishment.

Every restaurant and food establishment can do certain things to help reduce the amount of fats, oils and grease that go down the drain. This is important since taking precautionary measures when dealing with grease saves restaurants time, money and hassles.

As an experienced grease trap cleaning company with many years of experience, here are our tips for cleaner grease traps!

1. Make sure your employees are informed.

Not everyone knows about the best practices to cut down on the amount of FOG that gets put down the drain. Train your staff so that they understand the problems that can happen when too much grease ends up into the sewer system. Not only can this lead to clogged pipes and the obvious problems that result from that, but this can also lead to code violations resulting in citations and fines.

2. Use the garbage disposal sparingly.

While garbage disposals are beneficial in that they can help you avoid clogged sinks, they are not meant to grind up and process large amounts of food scraps. Encourage your team to avoid using the dishwasher to manage food scraps, and use the garbage instead, or even composter.

3. Use signage.

Even people that know the rules sometimes need reminders. It is beneficial to have signage near every sink and dishwasher in your kitchen area reminding people not to put grease in the drain.

4. Train your dishwashers.

While running a commercial dishwasher may seem self-evident, it is not. Make sure to train your dishwashers on best practices. This includes wiping out any grease from pots and pans before washing. Getting rid of grease in garbage bags or even through recycling is a much more efficient approach than having your grease interceptor pumped out constantly.

5. Stay on a schedule for grease interceptor cleaning.

Even if you are following all the best practices, you still need to make sure your grease interceptors stay clean. Getting on an organized schedule is the best way to do this.

6. Schedule more regular grease interceptor cleanings if you process more grease.

The regularity of your cleanings should align with the amount of grease your food establishment processes. If you deal with a lot of grease, regular cleanings are a necessity. The frequency of your grease trap cleanings are based on things like the types of food you make, your cooking methods, the techniques you use for cleaning, whether you are sit down restaurant or carry-out only. Keep in mind that if you do not clean your grease interceptors on a regular basis, this can cause some very bad smells and lead to many other problems, too.

7. Keep detailed records of every cleaning.

Write down the grease level each time you have your interceptor cleaned and keep a log so you can see patterns and be aware if anything significant changes. Keep track of the date and time of the cleaning and the person who did your cleaning. You may want to track other things too including having an employee signature of the person from your establishment who handled the cleaning.

8. Hire a reputable grease interceptor cleaning company and be aware of what they are doing.

While this may seem obvious, not every plumbing company is as skilled at handling grease trap cleaning. Make sure you choose a company that has a lot of experience and the right equipment to take on this task. In addition to thorough grease trap cleaning, you should also make sure you receive routine maintenance services. Are your baffles in place and positioned properly? Do the covers fit securely on your grease interceptors so there is no leaking? If you have an in-ground grease interceptor, it needs to be examined regularly to make sure it is not leaking.

If you are looking for experienced grease trap cleaning in Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana, contact Moon Grease Trap Cleaning. Our dedicated team has many years of experience handling grease trap cleaning for restaurants and food establishments of every size. We’re MSD certified and have certification experts on staff. Our eco-friendly approach helps the environment while also saving you time and money. Contact us today at 502-776-2199 for a free estimate or more information.