Grease Trap Enforcement

What most people don't know is what goes on underground. Sewer collection and treatment is a very important and also a very expensive operation in every city in the United States. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the EPA are very demanding in how this product is handled. Treatment has stringent guidelines that must be followed or harsh repercussions can be experienced.

Currently, all the sewer from the District goes to the City of Dallas for treatment. In the contract between Dallas and District #6 is a clause that allows Dallas to test the quality of the sewer and if it surpasses certain limits an expensive surcharge is levied.

That is one reason for the grease traps and the constant testing and inspection. When businesses with grease traps are allowed to operate unchecked some will always abuse the situation. Others may unintentionally allow their grease trap to overload or become dysfunctional due to neglect or wear. When that happens the sewer system becomes loaded with grease and high levels of bacteria causing the sewer effluent to become abnormal. When that happens the tests run by the city of Dallas detect the high levels and the District is required to pay thousands of dollars per month in surcharges. In 2002 the District paid the City of Dallas over $250,000.00 in surcharges.

The photos below are actual pictures of one situation our Inspectors discovered.

First, Inspectors determine where the grease trap is located and what condition it is in. This one has a little problem.

If problems are determined the owner is told to begin work to replace the old trap.

When you have trap problems you almost always find more problems. These type problems cause expensive surcharges from the City Dallas and have to be passed on to the offender.

Now,a beautiful trap in place and a little more of the District is in good shape.