Fats, Oil & Grease (FOG) Overview by Peter Davies Scientific Services, Waste Water Support. Fats, Oil & Grease (FOG) Fats, Oil & Grease (FOG)

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1 Overview by Peter Davies Scientific Services, Waste Water Support Waste Water Support in brief; manage Trade Effluent customers, supply sewage treatment advice, EA liaison, sludge/waste responsibilities & pollution incidents Currently; responsible for managing FOG pollution incidents, sewer cleansing cost recovery and advice to food catering outlets on their pollution prevention Best Management Practices (BMP s) 1

2 Sewerage Network We have a long history of sewers and sewerage in the UK. The Victorians built a system which in most cases are still effective today. However, times move on and the challenges for sewers have changed too i.e. Climate change and changing weather patterns intense rainfall. Growing populations and changing demographics the increasing number of single person homes and higher water use. More hard surfaces and greater surface run-off water Number of restaurants & fast food takeaways All of which contribute to increased loading on the sewerage network. Research by WRc suggests that blockages account for 55% of sewer flooding incidents in the UK and more than 3,000 incidents of property flooding. There are approximately 200,000 sewer blockages throughout the UK every year and circa 75% are caused by FOG. Sewerage Network FOG physical evidence Question lack of understanding or abuse? FOG example Pot-wash sink 2

3 FOG examples Fat trap & Grease trap FOG example Private drain FOG example Private drain & S/w gully 3

4 FOG example Network PLR FOG example - Sewage Pumping Station FOG example - Sewage Treatment Works 4

5 FOG example - Sewage Treatment Works FOG brick examples FOG - Pre sewer cleansing CCTV 5

6 FOG - Pre sewer cleansing CCTV FOG - Investigate pollution incidents and recover NWL costs Mainly reactive FOG investigations. Liaison with WWS advisors, Sewerage Network Technical Support (North & South) Customer Call Centre (Plus2), Operations, Planning & Validation, EA, Local Authorities and the General Public. Maintain a robust job information and progress database. Prioritising individual FOG jobs on a daily basis based upon pollution severity, geographical location and H&S protocols. Organising on-site field activities between Technical Support, SMO s, HGV Vactor/jetter driver and external contractors (CCTV). FOG - Investigate pollution incidents and recover NWL costs Evidence obtain legally robust field data (positive & negative). UKAS accredited sampling methodology, in/external witness statements, timely production and reporting of incident reports to the originator and other in/external department's. Engage effective communications with the alleged offender. Discuss legal obligations and consequences if not adhered to. Discuss, agree, implement & monitor corrective action plans. Liaison and the supply of; field evidence, history and other information to the DG7, Litigation and Business Income teams. 6

7 Water Industry Act: FOG Legal requirements It is a criminal offence under section 111 of the Water Industry Act 1991 to discharge into the public sewers any matter which may interfere with the free flow of wastewater. Also, where the water company has incurred costs in removing blockages, cleaning sewers, investigating and remedying flooding or pollution incidents, it can take legal action to recover these costs. EPA; The local authority s environmental health department will deal with any reported complaints of statutory nuisance such as smells, effluents, or any premises in such a state as to be a nuisance or a risk to health. Where a statutory nuisance exists the local authority has to serve an abatement notice under Section 80 of the Act. Failure to comply can result in prosecution and the local authority also has the power to carry out work to remove the nuisance and recover their costs. FOG Legal requirements Building Act; Section 59 of the Building Act 1984 enables a local authority to require satisfactory provision for drainage of an existing building by serving a notice on the owner. This can include a requirement for the installation of a grease trap. Food Safety Act; Local authorities are authorised to inspect premises under the Food Safety Act Problems arising from the effect of fat, oil and grease on drains, resulting in a failure to comply with the Food Hygiene Regulations, could result in prosecution or an emergency prohibition order preventing trading from the premises. FOG Legal requirements The Building Regulations Approved document part H - Drainage & waste disposal (2002) 2.21 Drainage serving kitchens in commercial hot food premises should be fitted with a grease separator complying with BS EN :2004 and designed in accordance with BS EN :2002 or other effective means of grease removal 7

8 SNAP group; FOG Proactive work Industry group attached to Water UK that covers Sewer Network Abuse Prevention FOG association; Recent invitation, FOG Key Stakeholder & Trade Group. Objectives; Ongoing reduction of FOG deposits in sewerage Legislation development to allow proactive management Promotion of FOG as a resource for re-use FOG Proactive work FOG pollution prevention campaigns between NWL, Local Authorities and the EA (Hartlepool Marina) Postcode mail-shots (to include SRD information) Schools BBC Look North, regional papers and radio awareness FOG Pollution prevention UK listings Local Google keyword search will return plentiful i.e. kitchen fat trap / grease separator, fat oil grease management consultants, FOG grease pack 8

9 Questions & Answers.. Tel: