Water Services Training
Group
Guidance Document
Control of Fat Oil and Grease
Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Control Guidance
Document Overview
Tadhg O’ Connor
Inspector
Water Inspectorate
Department of Environment
Community and Local Government
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG and its Sources
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FOG is either a liquid or solid organic material
FOG is generated from waste arising from the
preparation of various foods – meats, vegetables,
nuts, dairy products, soups, sauces, pasta, etc.
FOG arises in catering areas where food is
prepared, cooked, stored or served.
Food Services Establishments, Pubs, Restaurants,
Hotels, Bed and Breakfast premises, Convenience
Stores, Takeaways, Garage Delicatessens,
canteens, etc.
Problem arise when FOG is discharged to drains
during food preparation or washing up.
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Problems
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FOG combines with other constituents in the wastewater
and acts as a binder to trap other compounds.
It congeals, accumulates and solidifies in pipelines,
service pipes and sewers.
Causes restrictions to flows and blockages in collection
networks.
Flooding problems, blocked drains and sewers, premature
operation of Combined Storm Overflows (CSOs)
Pumping station blockages, rising main capacity
reduction, pumping station malfunction (probes)
WWTP – pipe and equipment blockages, impedance of
treatment processes, etc
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
Water Service Authorities
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High cost for WSA to deal with FOG problems,
Cost of FOG removal from sewers, culverts,
pumping stations, CSOs, WWTPs, etc.
Cost of environmental pollution cleanup,
Health and Safety issues arising from physical
removal of FOG in confined spaces, etc.
Costs and obligations in complying with
legislation, regulation, audits, etc.
Monitoring and Enforcement requirements to deal
with FOG discharges,
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
Water Services Authorities
Water Quality Legislation
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Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC – River
Basin Management Plans (Water Quality Status)
European Communities (Water Quality)
Regulations 2003
Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
1991/271/EEC and Regulations 1994 to 2010
Wastewater Discharge (Authorisation)
Regulations 2007 (Licences and Certificates)
European Communities Environmental Objective
(Surface Water) Regulations 2009
European Communities Environmental
(Groundwater) Regulations 2010
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
Water Services Authorities
Legal Powers for Water Quality Control
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Water Pollution Act 1977 – 1990
Section 16 - discharges to sewers
Section 4 – discharges to water bodies
Discharge Licence (Trade Effluent Licence) issued
to business operator with specific conditions to
control discharge quality
Water Services Act 2007 and Regulations
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
History Behind Development of FOG
Guidance Document
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Collaborative Study on FOG (2005 – 2008)
A 3-year Study managed by WRc involving
UK Water and Sewerage Companies,
Community and Local Government UK,
Northern Ireland Water Service and
Water Services National Training Group
Final Report issued in late 2008 comprising
four Work Packages, Case Studies and Technical
Reports, etc. (Available on WRc website)
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
Collaborative Study on FOG
Water Research Centre (UK)
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Work
Work
Work
Work
Package
Package
Package
Package
1
2
3
4
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Legal Issues
Sociological Issues
Biological Issues
Engineering Operational Issues
Case Studies
Technical Reports, Advice Documentation, Best
Practice Documentation
Product Database
FOG Strategy
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
History behind development of FOG
Guidance Document (Continued)
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NSAI proposed Irish Standard for the control of Fat Oil and
Grease in Food Service Establishments – Working Group
deliberations 2008, 2009 and 2010 – Process Abandoned
LASNTG (WSTG) Specialist Working Group established in
late 2010 comprising representatives from
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Department of Environment Community and Local Gov;
Dublin City Council;
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council;
Kildare County Council;
Cork County Council;
Limerick City Council;
North Tipperary County Council.
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
Guidance Document for Control of FOG
Objectives
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Scope and type of FSE that should be licensed;
Need for and extent of pre-consultation with FSE;
Trade Effluent Licence applications;
Licence administration from application to
issuance;
Range of allowable FOG emission limits;
Monitoring (sampling and testing procedures);
Enforcement and prosecution;
General Advice to Food Service Establishments
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
Guidance Document for Control of FOG
General Advice to FSE and FBO
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Best Management Practices in dealing with FOG within
FSEs including Good Kitchen Practice;
Use of additives and biological products (including
bacteria) in control of FOG;
Restriction in the use of chemical surfactants and
emulsifiers;
Types of Grease Control Equipment (Passive Grease Traps
and Grease Removal Units);
Design standards for grease control equipment;
System selection, certification, installation, service
providers for supply, installation, maintenance, etc.
Maintenance of GTs and GRUs;
Staff training in maintenance of FOG control equipment;
Disposal and recycling of FOG;
Documentation and record keeping
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document
General Advice to FSE and FBO
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The provision of information, pre-consultation
discussions and informal advice, as outlined in
the Guidance Document, will not confer immunity
from legal obligation for the FBO in complying
with its Trade Effluent Licence conditions and is
not a substitute for the requirement to comply
with the legal obligations set out in the conditions
of the Trade Effluent Licence issued by a WSA.
The Guidance Document is not a Legal Document
and does not supersede or over-ride any
legislation obligations relating to trade effluent
discharges from food service establishments.
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document
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Section 1 – Introduction
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Section 2 – Discharge Licensing (Application & Decision)
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Section 3 – Monitoring
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Section 4 – Enforcement
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Section 5 – General Advice on FOG Management
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5 APPENDICES
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Terms and Definitions
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References
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document
Section 1 – Introduction
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Background
Need for FOG Control
Problems that FOG creates for Water Services
Authorities
Overview of Legislation
Objectives of the FOG Guidance Document
Caveat
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document
Section 2 - Discharge Licensing (Application &
Decision)
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Identification of FSEs
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Licensing procedures from Application to Decision
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Section 2.9 – Flow Chart of Licensing Process
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Appeals Process (An Bord Pleanala)
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document
Section 3 – Monitoring
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Water Services procedures after Licence issue
FOG management programme
Recommended Minimum Criteria for
Environmental Inspections (RMCEI)
Monitoring, sampling, testing, etc
Authorised Person, powers, responsibilities, etc.
All Inspections to be carried out by AP
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document
Section 4 – Enforcement
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Enforcement Action under Acts
Enforcement procedures, legal advice, etc
Table 4.7.1 - Water Pollution Act (Relevant
Sections/Penalties)
Table 4.7.2 – Water Services Act (Relevant
Sections and Penalties)
Section 4.6 – Typical Examples of Enforcement
Actions taken by Water Service Authorities
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document
Section 5 – General Advice on FOG
Management
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General advice to Food Business Operators on
selection of units, design standards, service
providers, maintenance of GTs and GRUs,
disposal/recycling of waste, staff training, record
keeping, etc.
Advice provided without warrant
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document
Layout (Continued)
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Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
Appendix
1
2
3
4
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Sizing of Passive Grease Traps
Sizing of Grease Removal Units
Typical Application Form
Typical Trade Effluent Licence
Conditions
Appendix 5 – Best Practice in Controlling FOG
Appendix 5.1 – Best Kitchen Practice
Appendix 5.2 – Selection, Installation,
Operation and Maintenance
Appendix 6 – Typical Quantities of FOG
Terms and Definitions
References
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
FOG Guidance Document Launch
Programme
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Session 1
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Legislation and Licensing
Monitoring and Enforcement
•
Session 2
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General Advice on FOG Management
Case Studies
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
Water Services Training Group
FOG Guidance Document
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Water Services Training Group will roll out
training on the FOG Guidance Document early in
2012 at its five Training Centres
Copies of the FOG Guidance Document are
available today at this Launch Seminar
The FOG Guidance Document will be on the
WSTG website next week
FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012
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26th January 2012
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FOG Guidance Document Launch Seminar
26th January 2012