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The public is asked to note the requirements and guidelines for proper disposal of fats, oils and grease (FOGs).

Grease traps, also known as grease interceptors are required to remove FOGs from the waste stream to prevent the sewer from clogging and reducing the harmful effect grease has on the bacterial and settling action of a primary sedimentation system.

The grease interceptor or automatic grease removal device receives the grease-laden wastewater from fixtures and equipment that is generated in food preparation within restaurants, hotels and hospital kitchens, cafeterias and households.

The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (acting through the Barbados Water Authority), in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Wellness and Environment and National Beautification (Environmental Protection Department), reminds home owners and businesses of the provisions of the Health Services (Building) Regulations, 1969 (“Health Services Regulations”) and the Barbados Water Authority (Sewerage) Regulations, 1982 (“Sewerage Regulations”).

They state, inter alia, that all existing and planned new buildings, as well as those buildings proposing renovations which are within an area where sewers have been laid are required to connect to the sewerage system.

Persons desirous of constructing, extending or performing any material alteration to any building should apply to the Minister of Health for permission showing details, inclusive of a proper wastewater disposal system.

Residences and businesses that use grease or other noxious substances, and are connected to the public sewer, should have on their premises an adequately-sized grease trap as a component of the wastewater disposal system, for the entrapment of grease generated from their kitchens and other relevant operations. The Environmental Protection Department,  on behalf of the Minister of Health, will receive all planning applications.

The discharging of any matter likely to damage the sewer, to interfere with the free flow of its contents, or to adversely affect treatment and disposal of its contents is prohibited, and no person shall discharge grease or any other noxious substance into any public sewer.

Discharges from sinks in hotels, restaurants, laundries, garages, motor vehicle service stations or places where vehicles or other machines are washed, have to be trapped and drained through a properly constructed grease trap of a design approved by the Barbados Water Authority’s General Manager.

In addition, appropriately-sized grease traps should be maintained to prevent the discharge of grease to the sewer or disposal well. Operators are therefore advised to establish maintenance programmes inclusive of weekly inspections of the grease trap to ensure the right frequency based on usage.

Home owners and businesses are urged to adhere to the requirements and guidelines for proper disposal of FOGs and the design of grease traps, as well as to put all necessary measures in place to become compliant with the Health Services Regulations and the Sewerage Regulations, by Friday, February 1.

Persons found guilty of breaching the Health Services Regulations may be liable to a fine of $5,000.00 or to imprisonment for 12 months or both, and in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of $200.00 for each day or part thereof during which the offence continues.  The fine for a breach of the Sewerage Regulations is $1,000.00 or imprisonment for 12 months or both, and $100.00 per day for each day the offence continues.

For any queries on grease trap designs, please call the Environmental Protection Department at 535-4600.  To view the Guidelines on Grease Trap Design, persons may click here.

sheena.forde@barbados.gov.bb

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