Why do I need a grease trap in my food service establishment?

A grease trap is essential for your food service business because it prevents fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from entering the public sewer system.

When you wash dishes or clean kitchen equipment, small amounts of FOG go down the drain. Without a grease trap, this FOG can build up in pipes, causing blockages & environmental problems.

A grease trap catches and holds onto the FOG, allowing only clean water to flow into the sewers. This helps protect the environment and keeps your business in line with Irish Water regulations.

What are my compliance obligations regarding grease traps?

As a food service establishment in Ireland, you must:

• Install a properly sized grease trap that meets EU standards

• Obtain a Trade Effluent FOG License from Irish Water

• Regularly maintain and clean your grease trap

• Keep detailed records of all maintenance and cleaning

• Allow Irish Water inspectors to check your grease trap up to four times a year

Failure to meet these requirements can result in fines or even forced closure of your business.

How often do I need to clean my grease trap?

You should clean your grease trap when it's 25% full of FOG, or at least every 90 days. However, many businesses need to clean their traps more frequently, sometimes as often as monthly.

The exact frequency depends on how much FOG your business produces. Regular cleaning is crucial to keep your grease trap working properly and to stay compliant with regulations.

What records do I need to keep for grease trap inspections?

For each inspection, you should have:

• The grease trap's sizing calculation

• The manufacturer's CE accreditation

• Design details (volumes, flow rates, etc.)

• Maintenance and cleaning records with dates and times

• Waste disposal records from a licensed contractor

• A copy of your current Trade Effluent FOG License

Keeping these records organized and up-to-date is essential for passing inspections.

How much time would it take to install, maintain, and comply with reporting requirements if I did it all myself?

Installing a grease trap can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the size and complexity of the system. Maintenance typically involves monthly or quarterly cleaning, which can take 30 minutes to an hour each time.

For compliance and reporting, you'd need to:

• Inspect the trap regularly (at least weekly)

• Record all maintenance activities

• Prepare for up to four inspections per year

• Apply annually for your Trade Effluent FOG License

Managing all this yourself could easily take several hours each month, plus additional time for unexpected issues or inspections.

Somerton Enviro Solutions takes on all maintenance and reporting preparation tasks, making it easier for you to stay compliant, and have all the answers when inspectors need them.