GREASE TRAPS AND
SEPARATORS

GREASE TRAPS AND SEPARATORS

If you own a restaurant, a commercial kitchen, or any facility that deals with grease and oil, investing in a grease trap is essential. Grease and oil are notorious for wreaking havoc on plumbing systems. When they enter the wastewater system they solidify and accumulate, leading to clogged pipes and drains. These blockages not only result in costly repairs but can also disrupt your operations. By installing a grease trap, you capture and contain grease before it enters the plumbing system, preventing clogs and maintaining the smooth flow of wastewater.

Grease and oil are also a major contributor to water pollution. Grease traps, also known as grease interceptors, work by trapping grease and oil and preventing them from entering local water sources. They not only prevent clogs and blockages but also contribute to the overall efficiency and hygiene of your facility. By capturing grease and oil, they help maintain the cleanliness of your plumbing system, preventing odours and potential contamination. This can help you to avoid costly repairs and emergency plumbing services and help extend the lifespan of your wastewater treatment system by reducing the strain caused by grease accumulation.

Legal Requirements for Grease Traps

A trade effluent discharge to sewer licence (issued under Section 16 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, as amended) is a legal requirement if your business discharges trade effluent to a public sewer. These include restaurants, takeaways, pubs which serve cooked food, cafés, coffee shops, hotels, B&Bs, convenience stores and supermarkets, garage forecourt shops with delicatessen counters, food production kitchens etc. Restaurants, takeaways and establishments where food is prepared must have a Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Trade Effluent licence. Along with this license there is a requirement for a properly sized grease trap to be installed in the premises, based on the amount of wastewater generated from this establishment. It will be regualry inspected by Irish Water and so must be cleaned, maintained and serviced on a regular basis with records to show this has been done.

Maintaining a Grease Trap

• Use strainers in the sink
• Wipe grease out of pans before washing
• Wipe and scrape away waste into a suitable bin before washing
• Don’t pour oils down the sink - pour them into a bottle and dispose of in an appropriate manner
• Don’t leave taps running unnecessarily and repair any dripping taps
• Use dedicated wash up sinks
• Have your grease trap pumped out on a regular basis and cleaned