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Grease Interceptor Requirements

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​Metro Vanc​ouver’s Food Sector Grease Interceptor Bylaw ​365 requires commercial and institutional kitchens to install and maintain a grease interceptor to reduce fats, oils and grease (FOG) in the sewer system.

Addressing the build-up of fats, oils and grease in the sewer​ system costs the region over $2.7 million each year. They can clog sewers and cause back-ups into homes and businesses, and overflows into the environment.

 

 

How Grease Gets Into Sewershttps://metrovancouver.org/services/liquid-waste/Documents/how-grease-gets-in-the-sewer.pdf, How Grease Gets Into SewersHow Grease Gets Into Sewers

​Who does the​ bylaw apply to?

This bylaw applies to commercial kitchens and operations that prepare, package, serve, sell or otherwise handle food in a way that ​results ​in discharge of fats, oils and grease into the sewer. This includes: restaurants, fast-food operations, cafeterias, hospitals, bars, grocery stores, bakeries, coffee shops, butcher shops, and other similar operations.

Main ​bylaw requirements

If you operate a commercial or institutional kitchen, you must:

  • Install a correctly sized grease interceptor that is connected to all required fixtures
  • Maintain the grease interceptor by having it pumped out by a service provider every 90 days or when fats, oils, grease and solids are more than 25% of the total liquid depth (whichever happens first)
  • Keep records of grease interceptor cleanouts and maintenance activities

Viola​tions may result in re-inspection fees of up to $500 or a fine. Certain violations — such as not having a grease interceptor — carry a minimum fine of $2,000.​

 

 

Food Sector Grease Interceptor Bylaw No. 365https://metrovancouver.org/boards/Bylaws/GVSDD_Bylaw_365.pdf, Food Sector Grease Interceptor Bylaw No. 365Food Sector Grease Interceptor Bylaw No. 365
Grease and Commercial Kitchens Brochure (English)https://metrovancouver.org/services/liquid-waste/Documents/grease-commercial-kitchen-brochure-eng.pdf, Grease and Commercial Kitchens Brochure (English)Grease and Commercial Kitchens Brochure (English)

 

 

Install a correctly sized grease interceptorInstall a correctly sized grease interceptor<div class="ExternalClass8A4CAE257F28467B8AC29FEED40DF758"><p>A grease interceptor (or grease trap) is a device that separates fats, oils and grease from wastewater​.</p><p> <img src="/services/environmental-regulation-enforcement/liquid-waste-regulatory-program/PublishingImages/grease-interceptor.jpg" alt="Grease interceptor" title="Grease interceptor" /> </p><p>A grease interceptor should be:</p><ul><li>Connected to any fixture that generates grease</li><li>​Properly sized - if it is too small it will fill with fats, oils and grease too quickly and will not do its job<br></li><li>Accessible - so it can be inspected and so you can maintain it</li></ul><p>If you are installing a grease interceptor, use our online tool for correct sizing. You can ask Metro Vancouver to review your installation plan.</p><ul class="fa-ul"><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-link"></i></span> <a href="/services/environmental-regulation-enforcement/liquid-waste-regulatory-program/grease-interceptor-sizing-tool" title="Grease interceptor selection tool">Use our online tool to determine what size grease interceptor you need</a>​​​<br></li><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/services/liquid-waste/Documents/grease-interceptor-plan-review-request.pdf" target="_blank">Grease Interceptor Installation Plan - Request a Metro Vancouver Review</a><br></li></ul>​<br></div>
Maintain the grease interceptorMaintain the grease interceptor<div class="ExternalClassA9F0767EFD6F491B843A56308F902F23"><p>Have a servic​​e provider:</p><ul><li>Fully pump out your grease interceptor when fats, oils, grease and solids reach 25% of the total liquid depth OR every 90 days, whichever occurs first<br></li><li>Inspect all components that may affect its proper operation​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><br></li></ul></div>
Keep recordsKeep records<div class="ExternalClass39BD4EE10FF24B61AB4B335CD3C2ED27"><p>Metro Vancou​ver bylaw enforcement officers may inspect your grease interceptor and your maintenance records. You must:</p><ul><li>Keep a record of grease interceptor cleanouts and maintenance activities​<br></li><li>Have two years of records on hand and available for inspection<br></li><li>Have someone on site who can open the grease interceptor for inspection<br></li></ul><br></div>

What to d​​​o after we inspect

If you have received a Notice of Violation letter after Metro Vancouver has conducted a compliance inspection, here are the next steps to take.

If you have questions about the letter you received, call or email your assigned officer.​

 

 

Grease interceptor installation, replacement, or connecting fixturesGrease interceptor installation, replacement, or connecting fixtures<div class="ExternalClass811006073EB948B99D08F9FAD9C5783B"><ul><li>If a grease interceptor needs to be installed, replaced or fixtures need to be connected, call a plumber or other service provider.</li><li>Grease interceptors must be selected according to our:<br><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>  <a href="/services/liquid-waste/Documents/approved-grease-interceptor-selection-methodology.pdf" target="_blank">Approved Grease Interceptor Selection Methodology</a>​<br></li><li>The service provider can provide advice on how to configure a solution for your specific situation.</li><li>If you don’t know which fixtures are connected to a grease interceptor, call a plumber or other service provider to trace pipes back to the grease interceptor. This is best done with an empty grease interceptor.</li><li>If you would like Metro Vancouver to review your grease interceptor installation plan, replacement plan, or fixture connection plan, please fill out this form:<br><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i>  ​<span id="ms-rterangecursor-start"></span><span id="ms-rterangecursor-end"></span><a href="/services/liquid-waste/Documents/grease-interceptor-plan-review-request.pdf" target="_blank">Grease Interceptor Installation Plan – Request for Review</a></li></ul>​<br></div>
Cleaning the grease interceptorCleaning the grease interceptor<div class="ExternalClass29DBF1AB804C40BBBAC1C9AECC12F2AA"><ul dir="" class="" style=""><li>If the grease inter​ceptor contained greater than 25% fats, oils, grease, and solids, you must have it pumped out and cleaned immediately, then provide us with the documentation from your service provider.</li><li>If your grease interceptor is undersized, you may be required to clean it out more often until you install a properly sized unit. The letter will specify a minimum frequency.</li></ul></div>

 Related links

 

 

Grease Interceptor Installation Plan – Request for Reviewhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/liquid-waste/Documents/grease-interceptor-plan-review-request.pdf, Grease Interceptor Installation Plan – Request for ReviewGrease Interceptor Installation Plan – Request for Review
Grease interceptor resourceshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/environmental-regulation-enforcement/liquid-waste-regulatory-program/grease-interceptor-resources, Grease interceptor resourcesGrease interceptor resources
Grease interceptor sizing toolhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/environmental-regulation-enforcement/liquid-waste-regulatory-program/grease-interceptor-sizing-tool, Grease interceptor sizing toolGrease interceptor sizing tool
Current Waste Discharge Permitshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/environmental-regulation-enforcement/liquid-waste-regulatory-program/current-waste-discharge-permits, Current Waste Discharge PermitsCurrent Waste Discharge Permits

Contact


We can help with questions about the technical requirements of the regulation.

  • Email
  • 604-432-6200​​​​​

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