Grease Interceptor Program

The Department of Enviromental Protection (DEP) is reporting that a substantial number of sewer blockages are caused by grease being illegally discharged in the local sewer system. In order to address the serious health hazards created by these grease related problems the DEP is initiating a Grease Reduction Enforcement and Education Strategy to encourage the installation and maintenance of "grease interceptors".

A "grease interceptor" is a plumbing fixture that traps grease to prevent introduction in the City's sewer system. Section 19-11 of Title 15 of the Rules of the City of New York require the installation of "grease interceptors" on waste lines which may receive grease from non-residential direct and indirect dischargers including, but not limited to, wash sinks, food preparation sinks, floor drains, automatic dishwashers or similar plumbing fixtures in all restaurants, kitchens, cafeterias, clubs, delicatessens, fish markets or other non-residential establishments where grease may be introduced into the drainage system. There are tens of thousands of establishments which require these devices and probably thousands upon thousands that do not have them installed. Only master licensed plumbers are legally authorized to install the devices.

As a first step in its Grease Reduction Education and Enforcement Strategy DEP is mailing a Notice to all restaurant owners in the City, describing the importance of grease interceptors, the fines involved for failing to install and maintain the device, and a description of a self-audit so the owner can determine compliance. Most importantly, the Notice to restaurant owners contains the following language--

"If you need assistance in conducting your self-audit, you should contact a Licensed Master Plumber to assist you. Plumbers are listed in the telephone directory and you can call the Department of Buildings at (212) 312-8217 to check if a particular plumber is licensed. If your self-audit discloses any deficiencies, it is in your best interest to correct them immediately. Please note that New York City Law requires that ONLY a Licensed Master Plumber perform plumbing alterations. This requirement is to protect you as a facility owner and to insure that the correct equipment is installed properly."

Thirty days after the mailing, DEP inspectors will visit each restaurant to see if there is compliance. If the facility is not in compliance, the owner will be given a Commissioner's Order requiring the installation of the device and the imposition of penalties if the owner fails to install within thirty days of the Order.

There are 19,000 restaurants in' the City. The Department of Environmental Protection is targeting its initial educational and enforcement campaign in the areas that have been most affected by sewer back-ups. The first group of restaurants to be visited will be in the 11214 and 11228 Zip Codes of Brooklyn, followed by the restaurants in Zip Code 10013 in lower Manhattan. The program will commence in May 2000 and continue throughout the year.

The Foundation is very pleased that the DEP reminds restaurant owners that the work can only be performed by a licensed plumber. The use of licensed plumbers is required not only by law but by anyone who wants to make sure that the job is done safely and correctly.

In connection with assuring that the installations are done properly, the method for determining the minimum size/capacity of a grease interceptor is provided in the following tables, excerpted from Section 19-11 of Title 15 of the Rules of the City of New York (a complete copy of the Rule may be obtained by calling DEP at [718] 595-4718).

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