Title
Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3847 amending the City's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 86, Utilities, that govern public sewers and the disposal of fats, oils, and grease; and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Food establishments typically generate fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in their daily operations. If these operational byproducts are not captured, they will build up in the City's sewer system and eventually block or reduce the sewage flow rate to a point that results in overflowing the pipes. The buildup of Fat, Oil, and Grease (abbreviated "FOG") causes 20% of all sewer overflows, exposing the environment to untreated wastewater. Food establishments typically install and maintain grease traps to capture fat deposits before they drain into the sewer system. These devices are installed per the adopted plumbing code. However, these devices can overflow and impact the business and the city's sewer and stormwater systems if not maintained properly.
To prevent FOG build-up in the sewer systems and grease overflows, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) developed Model Standards for the Grease Ordinance as directed by the State of Texas House Bill 1979, which became law in the 78th Legislative Session on September 1, 2003. While many larger cities adopted a city-specific version of the TCEQ Model Standards, the Farmers Branch Health Division, in 2022, incorporated a program to monitor grease traps for restaurants as part of their Food Inspections Program. This program, however, does not suffice and is being augmented by newly proposed amendments to the city ordinance that will help eliminate build-up in our sewer system.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Works Department proposes to amend the existing Code of Ordinances, Chapter 86 "Utilities," to grant Public Works the authority to regulate the use of grease traps to maintain the upkeep of the City's Sanitary Sewer System, as well as allow for the Health Division to require and issue permi...
Click here for full text