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1. What is a grease trap?

These devices are holding tanks that are designed to interrupt the flow of wastewater of less than 50 gallons per min. They work in exactly the same way as the interceptor but are much smaller in size. These types of units may only be used by a facility that has completed a variance application and received written approval from the Director of Public Services. The minimum size of these units is 50-gallon capacity and they are typically installed above ground and inside the building. These types of units must be cleaned out by a professional hauler every 90 days or if the unit exceed 20% of its removal capacity. These types of units will be considered in violation if the layer of grease exceeds two (2) inches and/or the layer of solids exceeds five (5) inches.

2. What is required of Non-residential Sewer Users?

The City’s Sewer Use Ordinance requires non-residential users who have the potential to produce oil and grease and or grit, that are connected to the City’s sanitary collection system to have and maintain an oil and grease trap, an interceptor, an oil and water separator, and/or a grit and water separator. Additionally, the City requires that all facilities be permitted or registered to discharge to the POTW. Permitted and registered facilities will be subject to random inspections to ensure effluent standards of compliance are being met. It is the responsibility of each facility to ensure that their trap/interceptors/separators are being pumped and maintained properly to remain in compliance with the Ordinance.

3. What are oil and grease interceptors and oil and water separators?

These devices are vault type structures or holding tanks that are installed below ground and interrupt the flow of wastewater exceeding 50 gallons per min into the POTW. This interruption in flow allows for the grease and oil portion of the flow to float to the top of the unit, the solids to sink to the bottom, and the remaining water to flow into the collection system. These units are required by the Sewer Use Ordinance and Florida Building code to be a minimum of 750 gallons and no more than 1250 gallons in capacity. Only these types of units are allowed by the City of Apopka’s Sewer Use Ordinance. These units may be installed in series as needed to achieve compliance with the Ordinance.

4. When should these units be emptied?

As time passes these units fill with oils, greases, and solids. Once the unit exceeds 20% of its removal capacity (or every 90 days) with the oil, grease, and solids, it is time for it to be pumped out by a professional hauler. Pumping out the units prevents the oil, grease, and solids from entering the collections system. Your hauler should then dispose of this waste material at an approved licensed facility.

5. How does the Oil and Grease Management Program work?

All non-residential facilities that are required to have and maintain an interceptor or separator must participate in the OGMP in order to send wastewater to the City’s POTW. Through this program, the City monitors that these users are complying with all the requirements of the Sewer Use Ordinance, by maintaining these units to prevent oil and grease from entering the collection system.  

The City will perform an initial inspection of each facility to verify the information submitted in the application and to review the interceptor/separator condition and layout. At random intervals the City will come and inspect each facility for all relevant paperwork and the conditions of the unit. The City will monitor the hauler manifests to ensure compliance with the program. All facilities on the program are required to maintain necessary paperwork onsite and have their units pumped and maintained to the intervals laid out in the Ordinance.

6. What happens to Users that do not comply with the OGMP?

If the interceptors or the separators are not being properly maintained and/or a facility does not have the correct documentation on site, the violation will be documented and enforcement action will be initiated. The facility will have five (5) business days to complete maintenance or repairs from notice of violation or non-compliance. Failure to complete maintenance, non-compliance orders will result in fines and/or termination of water and sewer services. Those receiving repeat or multiple violations in the same visit may be placed on the Surcharge Program.

Facilities that are assigned to the surcharge program will be sampled monthly at the expense of the owner. The sample will be tested for BOD, TSS, and Oils & Grease. The results of the sample analysis will then be used to calculate a surcharge fee. This fee is based on the facilities potable water usage (in million gallons) for the month, times the mg/L value of each parameter (pollutants) tested for, minus the allowable mg/L limit of each parameter, times 8.34 (the conversion factor to give pounds of pollutant per gallon), times the surcharge factor (how much it costs us to treat one pound of the pollutant), this then equals the surcharge for abnormally high strength wastes. Charges will be added to the Apopka Utility Bill.

7. Who do I contact with other questions about grease management?

Please contact the Pretreatment Section of the Wastewater Division with any questions or concerns. They can be reached by phone Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2:30 PM or by email at Pretreatment@apopka.net.