One of the decisions facing an engineer in the design of a food-handling establishment is the location of a grease interceptor. Before discussing interceptor location options, some background is necessary to better understand the issues related to grease, as well as the problems resulting from its introduction into the sanitary sewer system.
Fats, oils and grease (FOG) are becoming an increasingly talked about subject. The Federal Clean Water Act charges the EPA with keeping our water resources clean and pristine. The EPA, in carrying out a congressional mandate, developed a broad range of rules and regulations to achieve and protect our limited natural water resources. As part of those regulations, as well as limited response from the waste water treatment industry, the EPA has been increasing pressure on local utility providers to reduce, minimize and eliminate the discharge of FOG-containing effluent into our water resources-lakes, rivers, streams, etc. The EPA has also limited the amount of FOG effluent permitted to discharge into a public sewer system.