Sewer Use and FOG Ordinance

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Sewer Use and FOG Ordinance

• Chapter 28, Article IV, Sections 1-10
• Presented by Department of Public Utilities

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FOG Fats, Oils, and Grease

• It is the byproduct of food preparation and
  cooking.
• Comes from many food sources meats, nuts,
  plant/vegetable oils, dairy products, soups,
  gravies, condiments, sauces, pastas, poultry,
  etc.
• It is insoluble in water, and can stick and
  accumulate in sewer pipes and equipment.

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The Problem With FOG

• As FOG cools, it sticks to the sides of pipes.
• Eventually, it builds up and creates a blockage.
  
• This leads to

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• Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs)

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• One-third of SSOs and sanitary sewer blockages
  are caused by FOG.
• FOG is a contributing factor in another
  one-third.
• FOG is the 1 cause of dry weather blockages and
  sanitary sewer overflows.

Blockages SSOs
Grease
Buildup
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Other Debris, Roots, Pipe Failure, etc
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The Cost of FOG

• Last year, the City of Virginia Beach spent over
  1.4M on FOG abatement and SSO Cleanup.
• It is estimated to cost 1,500 for City crews to
  respond to a single SSO.
• DEQ may fine localities 32,500 per SSO
  occurrence, 1.6 million in a good year
• Penalties are waived as long as we are
  implementing the mandates of the Consent Order in
  good faith

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DPU FOG Control Efforts

• DPU cleans up to 1,000,000 feet of sewer lines
  per year (10 FTEs equipment) - gt 1 M/year
• 60-70 is Hot Spot cleaning same locations
  cleaned over and over (and over) again
• Town Center, Lynnhaven Mall, Hilltop, Oceanfront,
  many small shopping centers, individual
  locations, multifamily housing

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Example - Town Center
Public Utilities is cleaning sewer pipes in Town
Center about every two weeks
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Laskin Road East of Hilltop

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Residential Area - Centerville
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FOG Control Pilot Studies at Two Shopping Centers

• Typical strip malls anchored by a grocery store
  w/satellite restaurants
• Nearly 100 of Grease Control Devices (GCDs)
  were either not functioning or not being cleaned
  often enough (or not at all)
• Many owners did not know they had GCDs or
  thought that their restaurant did not generate
  grease
• Many claimed GCDs were maintained

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Outside Grease Interceptor
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In-floor Grease Traps
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Under-Sink Grease Traps
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Purpose of a Sewer Use Ordinance and FOG Control
Program

• Reduce SSOs
• Reduce operation and maintenance costs
• Maximize existing sanitary sewer system capacity
• Enforce existing plumbing code
• Comply with VDEQ Consent Order
• A Credible FOG Reduction Program is a necessary
  requirement of a CMOM program which is mandated
  by the Consent Order

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Sewer Use Ordinance - FOG

• VA Beach developed a FOG Ordinance
• It has evolved into a template for a Model
  Regional FOG Ordinance
• Will impact Food Service Establishments (FSEs)
  Restaurants, food courts, school cafeterias,
  hospitals, grocery stores, prisons, food
  processors, day cares, social halls, others
• Will impact FOG haulers and transporters

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Sewer Use Ordinance - General

• Prohibit industrial discharges as defined by HRSD
  regulations
• Prohibit discharge of wastewater to stormwater
  system or surface water
• Prohibit damaging or tampering with sanitary
  sewer system
• Provide right of entry and inspection for
  purposes of enforcing the ordinance
• Penalties (would be cumulative)
• Class 3 Misdemeanor
• Liable for cost and expense of damage/cleanup
• 500 fine (per day, per occurrence)
• DPU may bring legal action to enjoin misconduct
• DPU could discontinue water service for
  non-compliance

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How will this affect FSEs

• Require registering GCDs with DPU similar to
  backflow device registration
• Require installation or repair of GCD if
  necessary
• Require regular maintenance of GCD
• Require record keeping of maintenance
• Require training and certification to service GCD
  provided by HRPDC
• Annual inspection fee to recover program cost
• Not imposed initially. Would be at actual cost
  (100-150/year)

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Public Outreach Program

• Presentations to VBRA and VBHMA Board of
  Directors, Divaris Property Management
• Stakeholder meetings
• VBRA,VBHMA, VBSchools, VBPW Building Maintenance,
  VB Planning PI, Haulers, Renderers, Business
  Owners, Plumbers, Property Managers, HRSD
• Notices to all Food Service Establishments 2400
  mailings (only about 150 have been returned)

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Residential Education

• Brochures and Grease Can Lids
• Door Hangers Notices

• Truck Decals

• Refrigerator Magnets

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School Education

• Water Awareness Calendar 2008
• National Childrens Theater production

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Commercial Education

• Kitchen BMP Poster
• NO GREASE Sign
• BMP Pocket Guide Brochure

Pocket Guide BMP Brochure
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FOG Webpage
www.vbgov.com/fog
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Other Cities Successful Programs
Cary, NC SSOs Before and After Implementation
of FOG Program
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Other Successful Programs
Metro Water Services, Nashville, TN Change in
Number of SSOs After Initiation of FOG Program
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Proposed Schedule

• Management, Operation and Maintenance (MOM)
  program due to DEQ on December 31, 2008
• FOG Reduction Program is key component of MOM
  program
• DEQ/EPA will likely make approval conditional
  upon ultimate adoption of a FOG Control Ordinance
• Localities to adopt MOA with HRSD in January, FOG
  ordinances in spring

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QUESTIONS?