San Antonio SAWS FOG & grease interceptor rules
Concrete San Antonio Water System requirements for food service establishments (FSEs) using grease interceptors.
Interceptor required and maintained
Requirement: Each FSE must route grease-bearing waste through a properly maintained and functioning interceptor.
Official text: "Each FSE and FPE shall discharge all waste from sinks, dishwashers, drains, and any other fixtures or sources through which fats, oils, or grease may be discharged into the POTW into a properly maintained and functioning interceptor that complies with the requirements of Chapter 24, City Code of Ordinances and the International Plumbing Code and appendices as amended that are adopted by the City in that chapter."
90-day and 25% evacuation rule
Requirement: Each FSE must evacuate the interceptor at least every 90 days and within two working days when accumulation reaches 25% of wetted height.
Official text: "Each FSE and FPE that is required by this division to utilize or install an interceptor shall evacuate accumulated solids, fats, oils, grease and all other material(s) from each interceptor at a frequency not less often than every ninety (90) days and within two (2) working days whenever twenty-five (25) percent or more of the wetted height of the interceptor, measured from the bottom of the device to the invert of the outlet pipe, contains floating materials, sediment, fats, oils, or grease."
Annual inspection and correction
Requirement: Each FSE must arrange an annual qualified inspection, receive a written report with photographs, and correct defects within 90 days.
Official text: "Not less frequently than once per calendar year, each FSE and FPE shall cause a licensed plumber or other qualified professional approved by SAWS to inspect each interceptor. After evacuation of the interceptor, the licensed plumber or other qualified professional approved by SAWS shall make a visual observation of and shall photograph all inlet and outlet fittings, internal baffles, walls, floor and all other internal structures. Each FSE and FPE shall cause the licensed plumber or other qualified professional approved by SAWS conducting the inspection to provide a written report of the inspection to the FSE or FPE that includes the photographs that are required by this section and that provides the name, address and telephone number of the licensed plumber or other qualified professional approved by SAWS conducting the inspection, the date of the inspection, and a description of any defects observed during the inspection. All defects shall be corrected by each FSE or FPE within ninety (90) days of each inspection."
Five-year records
Requirement: FSE interceptor records must be maintained for five years and be available for inspection on the premises.
Official text: "All records required by this division shall be maintained by each FSE and FPE for a period of five (5) years after the date of the event that is the subject of the record. All such records shall be available for inspection on the premises of the FSE or FPE where the interceptor that is the subject of the record is located, unless a written request to store the records at a different location is submitted to SAWS and SAWS approves the request."