Grease Trap and/or Interceptor Discharge Permit

Requirements

Food service establishments (FSEs) and food processing establishments (FPEs) that must obtain a Grease Trap and/or Interceptor Discharge Permit:

• All FSEs and FPEs that are located within the corporate limits of the City, or that are within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City, and
• All FSEs and FPEs that receive sanitary sewer service from the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) or that discharge any liquids or solids into the publicly owned treatment works (POTW).

The Sewerage and Water Board's Chief Plumbing Inspector reserves the right to make determination of grease retention unit adequacy and need based on review of all relevant information regarding grease retention performance, maintenance, and facility site and building plan review to require repairs to, modification of, or replacement of such retention units.

All grease traps and grease interceptors shall be maintained for continuous, satisfactory and effective operation by the property owner and/or FSE owner, leaseholder, or operator at his or her expense. "Enforceable Best Management Practices" for the control of Fats, Oil, and Grease shall also be implemented by all FSEs.

New Food Service Establishments In New Buildings

• All new FSEs shall be required to install a grease interceptor, unless granted a Variance for Cause by the Sewerage and Water Board Plumbing Department.
• Grease Retention Units shall be sized in accordance with the International Plumbing Code.
• No new FSEs will be allowed to initiate operations until a grease retention unit is installed and approved by the Sewerage and Water Board's Plumbing Department.

New Buildings (Strip Centers) With Potential For Food Service Establishments

• All new buildings or strip centers containing sections designated for commercial enterprise of the strip center may be required to provide a stub-out for a separate waste line for future grease interceptor installation.

Existing Food Service Establishments With A Grease Retention Unit

• All existing FSEs with a grease retention unit shall operate and maintain such units in compliance with Section 16 of the Plumbing Code and shall comply with Best Management Practices.

Existing Food Service Establishments without a Grease Retention Unit

• If excessive grease buildup is noted in the collection system and/or excessive collection system maintenance is required in the collection system and/or sanitary sewer blockages occur in the sanitary system below FSE without a Grease Retention unit, the Sewerage and Water Board reserves the right to require the FSE to install a Grease Retention Unit.

New Food Service Establishments In Existing Buildings

• Where practical, FSEs locating in existing buildings will be required to comply with the requirements applicable to new construction.
• Where it is physically impossible to install outdoor interceptors and grease traps, inside grease traps may be allowed provided prior approval of unit type, size, location, etc. is obtained from the Sewerage and Water Board's Chief Plumbing Inspector.

Construction Standards Exceptions

• Under certain circumstances, the grease retention unit size and location may necessitate special exceptions.
• If the Sewerage and Water Board determines that an exception is necessary, the property owner and/or FSE owner must first demonstrate that the proposed size and location will not result in noncompliance with the intent and discharge requirements.
• The facility shall then submit appropriate site plans for any additions or renovations to the Sewerage and Water Board Plumbing Department.

Fees

Grease Trap/Interceptor Discharge Permit Fees are $100 per interceptor and/or grease trap (check or money order only) and must be submitted with the permit application. Permits are non-transferable and expire one year after issuance.

Required Documents

• Grease Trap and/or Interceptor Discharge Permit Application
  (Detailed application instructions are included with the permit application)
  Submit the application to:
  Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
  Environmental Affairs Department
  2900 Peoples Ave, Room 215
  New Orleans, LA 70118
  Fax: (504) 942-3858

Before a permit can be issued, each permittee shall obtain a licensed plumber or other qualified professional approved by SWBNO to inspect each grease trap/interceptor. Current qualified professionals approved to conduct grease trap and/or interceptor inspections include personnel from the following Grease Trap Cleaning Companies:

• Liquid Environmental Solutions Of Texas,LLC (504)466-5995
• Darpro Solutions (800)536-9804
• Flo More Sewer Services, LLC (985)340-4949
• Brovac Environmental Service (504)905-6864
• Ccc Environmental Services, LLC(504)505-2091

Issuing Agency

Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans

User Guides

Grease Traps 101

Contact

Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans Environmental Affairs
(504) 942-3856
environmental@swbno.org