Water Services Training Group

Review of FOG Awareness Day Presentations

Review of Presentations

Tadhg O’ Connor

Inspector

DEHLG

Collaborative Study on FOG

3-Year Study managed by WRc

UK Water and Sewerage Companies Community and Local Government UK Northern Ireland Water Service Water Services National Training Group Final Report issued in late 2008

Scope of Study and Deliverables

Work Package 1 – Legal Issues

Work Package 2 – Sociological Issues

Work Package 3 – Biological Issues

Work Package 4 – Engineering Operational Issues

Case Studies

Technical Reports, Advice Documentation, Best Practice Documentation,

Product Database

FOG Strategy

Work Package 1 Legislation and Licencing

Report outlining Legislation in Republic of Ireland

Water Pollution Act

Water Services Act

Cork County Council’s perspective on Licencing and Control of Fat Oil and Grease Discharges from Food Service Establishments (FSE’s)

Dublin City Council’s perspective on Licencing and Control of Fat Oil and Grease Discharges form FSE’s

Cork County Council Experience

Review of Legislation (Water Pollution Act, Water Services Act)

Circular L8/03 – Ambiguity in the definition of Trade Effluent and Domestic Sewage. Dealt with in Water Services Act

Review of Cork County Council Procedures in dealing with Trade Discharges, Licence Applications, Licencing etc

Choosing Grease Removal Units and Control Systems

Parametric Limits in Licences (Need for Consistency)

Quality of Licence Applications, Information Required

Licence Applications Submisison

Difficulties in gathering of viable information for Prosecutions

Monitoring Issues, resources etc

Dublin City Council

Problems encountered in Dublin City Council Area, Blockages, Flooding, Pollution, Health and Safety Issues, Reduced Capacity of Network, Problems at Ringsend WWTP

Approach Adopted – Engagement of Outside Contractor

Deliverables, Locate FSE’s, Discharge Licences, Educate/Train FSE’s, Monitor Compliance,

1,200 FOG Licences Issued, 2,394 Monitoring Inspections

Types, description and spread of FSE’s inspected

Quantities of FOG Recovered, (Fast Food and Restaurants)

Results of First Annual Report 2,500 tonnes of FOG Recovered >800 Grease Traps installed

Work Package 2 – Sociological Issues

Tackle Problem at Source

Change Public Perception

Persuade change in approach

Educate and Advise (Leaflets)

Good Kitchen Practices

Management of Grease Removal Units

Reduce Waste to Landfills and Sewers (May be a Conflict!)

Common Message Required from Solid Waste and Wastewater Industry

Legislation and Licencing

Midleton Case Study€40,000 Expenditure/Annum on Fog Removal/ControlOver 78 FOG HotspotsStudy commenced June 2006, Completed June 2008Studies carried out at 18 locations Cross Section of Food Service Establishments (FSE’s)Cross Section of Grease Removal Units (GRU’s)Passive Systems, Mechanical Systems, Biological Dosing Units, Hybrid Units, etc.Statistics gathered, Better understanding of systems available, need for maintenance, outlet for FOG collected, proper recording, better kitchen practicesGreater role for Environmental Health OfficersNeed for greater Public Awareness and Stakeholder involvementMidleton FOG Case Study Report available form WSNTG

Dublin City Council Experience

Need to get the message across to Stakeholders and the Public

Types of FOG Management Equipment and Standards used

Additives, No Regulation, Varying Performance, Track Record

Dublin City Council drew up Testing Procedures for Additives,

DCC Procedures for dealing with Equipment Service Providers

Annual Trade Effluent Licence Fee

Contract Cost to be Budget Neutral to DCC

Designated ‘Authorised Officers’ under Water Pollution Act

Need for Staff Resources

Database

Prosecutions

Session 3

Work Package 3 - Biological Issues

Composition and Characteristics of FOG FOG acts as binder to trap other compounds Issues affecting FOG Deposition Biological Products Chemical Products

Session 4

Work Package 4 – Engineering and Operational Issues Grease Separator Selection (IS EN 1825) Products Database FOG Jetting and Cleaning Practices Sewer Design to limit FOG Deposition Pumping Station Design to limit FOG Deposition

FOG STRATEGY• Investigate• Interrogate• Implement• Monitor• Review