Grease traps (GTs), also known as grease interceptors (GIs), are designed to separate out the Fats, Oils and Greases (FOGs) and solids normally found in food preparation waste from the rest of the wastewater being discharged to the City's sanitary sewer system.

Austin City Code maintenance and documentation requirements for GTs are outlined in Chapter 15-10. These requirements include:

  • GTs must be pumped-out at least once every ninety (90) days or sooner if 50% or more of the wetted height of the GT, as measured from the bottom of the GT to the invert of the outlet pipe, are made up of grease and solids (§ 15-10-197).
  • GT waste may only be removed and transported by a Liquid Waste Hauler (LWH) with a valid City of Austin permit (§ 15-10-197).
  • Manifest records provided by the LWH after each pump-out must be kept and stored onsite for three (3) years (§ 15-10-165). An example of a manifest is available here.
  • Except as authorized by the above noted chapter, a person may not discharge fat, oil, grease, or similar material to the POTW in excess of an instantaneous limit of 200 milligrams per liter (§ 15-10-23).

The failure to meet any one of these GT maintenance or documentation requirements would be considered a separate violation of the Austin City Code. Potential penalties include (but are not limited to) fines and permit revocations. (§ 15-10, Article 12).

Benefits of and Best Management Practices for a Well-Maintained Grease Trap

Benefits of a well-maintained GT include:

  • Ensures a long, healthy life for your GT.
  • Lowers your utility surcharge fees.
  • Reduces your chances of costly plumbing fees, clean-up costs, fines and downtime associated with a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) or re-plumbing of clogged lines.

Developing best management and pollution prevention practices will not only help ensure you are in compliance with the City of Austin’s Wastewater Ordinance but helps protect our local environment and ultimately saves you money. Below is a list of some suggested best management practices:

  • Train and educate staff about the importance of proper FOG disposal. This training benefits not just your facility, but the City’s sanitary sewer system.
  • Be present for GT pump-outs and talk to the liquid waste hauler about the percentage of grease and solids in your GT and the condition of the pretreatment device.
  • Install a GT monitoring system to get real-time information on grease levels in your GT and reduce the risk of a SSO.
  • Use paper towels to wipe grease from plates, utensils, pots, and pans prior to washing.
  • Scrape food scraps into a compost bin, not the sink or trash can.
  • Use sink strainers to catch food particles.
  • Post “No Grease” signs above sinks.
  • Recycle waste cooking oil (“yellow grease”) using a waste oil bin with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Never use food grinders or disposals. These devices have been prohibited in commercial kitchens in the Austin Water jurisdiction since 2008.
  • Sweep floors first to remove all trash and debris before washing them down.
  • Never remove floor drain grates.
Grease Trap Educational Resources

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Grease Trap Abandonment Procedures

For those grease traps that must be taken out of service, one of the following sets of procedures for tank abandonment must be followed as described below: