HomeMy WebLinkAboutUtilities 2009-06-23 Item 3D - Ordinance - TMC Chapter 14 Sewer Discharge of Fats, Oils and Greases AmendmentTO: Mayor Haggerton
Utilities Committee
FROM: Public Works Director
DATE: June 15, 2009
SUBJECT: Amend TMC Chapter 14 Sewer Discharge to Address Fats, Oils and Greases
ISSUE
Amend and update Chapter 14 of the TMC for unlawful discharge of fats, oils, and greases into
the City's sanitary sewer system.
BACKGROUND
The Federal Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) and King
County Metro does not allow these illicit discharges into the sewer treatment plant. The
discharge of FOG from animal or vegetable origin can block sewer lines. As grease cools, it
adheres to the walls of pipes and eventually obstructs the flow. Food service establishments like
restaurants, cafeterias, and commercial kitchens contribute grease to the sewer system as well
as multi family residential areas. Consequently, additional maintenance is needed to keep
sewer pipes clear.
The highest area of grease is in the Central Business District and is concentrated around the
largest number of restaurants on Southcenter Parkway. Accumulations of FOG are not only
troublesome for pipes but affects sewer lift stations. The grease floats to the surface and has a
tendency to build up in the wet well. A grease `cake' forms and continues to accumulate and it
interferes with the depth gauge readings of the level transducer. The sewer crew will remove
grease twice a month or more as needed.
DISCUSSION
City of Tukwila
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Jim Haggerton, Mayo;
Restaurants and food preparation establishments are currently required to have grease
interceptors on their kitchen waste lines. Older businesses have been required to retrofit an
interceptor when they apply for a tenant improvement permit. Maintenance and pumping of the
interceptor should be every 1 to 3 months. The City does not have the resources to inspect
private interceptors but can request a schedule of grease interceptor maintenance from the
business. Procedures are needed so that new managers become aware of the requirements.
RECOMMENDATION
The Council is being asked to approve this ordinance amending Chapter 14 and consider this
item at the July 13, 2009 Committee of the Whole meeting and the subsequent July 20, 2009
Regular Meeting.
Attachment: Draft Ordinance
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AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 342 §24, AS CODIFIED
AT TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE 14.12.260, "DISCHARGE OF FOREIGN
SUBSTANCE INTO PUBLIC SEWER UPDATING REQUIREMENTS TO
MEET CURRENT GUIDELINES; ADDING REGULATIONS REGARDING
UNLAWFUL DISCHARGE ENFORCEMENT; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council desires that the City's sewage and wastewater system
is managed in the most effective manner possible, to meet environmental and ecological
concerns, and protect the health, safety and welfare of Tukwila residents; and
WHEREAS, the discharge of uncontrolled or untreated industrial and other wastes
into the Tukwila sewerage system and the cumulative impacts of any such discharge
will have an adverse impact on water quality; endanger the public health, safety and
welfare; and present a hazard to the functioning of Tukwila's sewerage system facilities;
and
DRAFT
WHEREAS, the City Council believes Tukwila Municipal Code 14.12.260,
Discharge of Foreign Substance into Public Sewer, should be amended for the purpose
of updating codes and practices to comply with federal, state, and county guidelines,
including obstructing the flow of any public sewer line as prohibited by the Federal
Clean Water Act; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to have regulations in place regarding
enforcement of unlawful discharge violations;
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Ordinance Amended. Ordinance No. 342 §24, as codified at Tukwila
Municipal Code 14.12.260, is hereby amended to read as follows:
14.12.260 Discharge of Foreign Substance into Public Sewer.
It is unlawful for any person to discharge into any sewer any cooling water from
aasa, e any substance whatsoever that will tend to retard the
flow of the sanitary sewer by adhering to or depositing on the interior surface thereof;
or any gases or substances which are combustible; or acids or other substances in such
quantities as will tend to destroy the sanitary sewers or interfere with the operation of
the treatment unit; or substa-sas cf such a noxious character as will tend to be injurious
to the health. All such ga:23, acids and substances shall be intercepted by traps or
separators which will completely separate the substances from the water or sanitary
sewage and allow their safe and convenient ronoval; and all such traps and separators
shall be of design, csnstruction and capacity as shall be approved by the City
supervisor.
A. It is unlawful to discharge or cause to be discharged into any sewer any waste
which may have an adverse or harmful effect on the sewerage system, public treatment
works, its personnel or equipment. Such waste shall include but is not limited to fats,
oils and grease, or any substance whatsoever that will tend to retard the flow of the
sanitary sewer by adhering to or depositing on the interior surface thereof; or any gases
or substances which are combustible; or acids or other substances in such quantities as
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will tend to destroy the sanitary sewers or interfere with the operation of the treatment
unit; or substances of such a noxious character as will tend to be injurious to the health.
B. All such gases, acids and substances shall be intercepted by an adequate and
suitable separation device or interceptor, installed in such a manner that allows the safe
and convenient removal of the waste product or other substances, materials or liquid as
identified herein, which shall not flow or be discharged into the sanitary sewer system.
All such interceptors shall be of design, construction and capacity as shall be approved
by the City Engineer. The grease interceptor shall be adequately maintained, and
readily accessible for inspection by the City at any time to ensure its proper operation.
C. This section is subject to the terms specified in "Enforcement" set forth in
Tukwila Municipal Code 14.12.265.
Section 2. Regulations Added. Regulations regarding unlawful discharge
enforcement are hereby added to Chapter 14.12 to read as follows
14.12.265 Unlawful Discharge Enforcement.
All violations of TMC 14.12.260 will be considered civil infractions, and are subject
to the actions and penalties set forth in Chapter 8.45 of the Tukwila Municipal Code.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or
phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to
be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the
remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other person or situation.
Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published
in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force five days
after passage and publication as provided by law.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of 2009.
ATTEST/ AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
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Jim Haggerton, Mayor
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
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