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6.J. - Page 2 of 25 occurs by running hot water down the drain and pouring FOG in with it. As FOG travels through the sewer conveyance system, it inevitably cools, takes a solid form, and sticks to sewer pipe walls. As FOG accumulates on pipe walls, the flow of wastewater becomes restricted and a blockage is created. These conditions lead to sanitary sewer overflows that may leak into stormwater system and discharge into creeks and the Bay. When this occurs, an emergency response unit is dispatched to eliminate blockages and address overflows. Additionally, this results in regulatory compliance issues with the State Water Resources Control Board, as well as associated fines and potential claims against the City. These additional costs are ultimately absorbed through increased sewer bills to property owners and insurance premiums to the City. To address this recurring issue, staff proposes to update a FOG section within the existing Sanitary Sewer Ordinance. Because the City's plumbing code addresses grease traps and interceptors, the proposed FOG section update would not result in any changes to current plumbing code requirements. ANALYSIS Public Works Services staff are able to identify FOG buildup by checking maintenance holes and using closed-circuit television to locate FOG sources, usually to a specific building or neighborhood. If blockages occur frequently in a particular area, staff make an effort to inform residents of proper FOG disposal methods to help mitigate the issue. Due to significantly higher FOG production levels associated with FSEs, a more proactive education, enforcement, and assessment approach is recommended. As such, an update of a FOG section within the existing Sanitary Sewer Ordinance is proposed and would result in the following actions by staff: Education (Outreach) ■ Utilize City's business license list to identify FSEs within the city and provide FOG mailers ■ Hold community meetings with the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Group, as well as tabling at City events, to discuss FSE grease control device requirements, inspections, and an amnesty period ■ Post information on the City's website, newsletters, and social media outlets (e.g., FOG inspection process and cleaning logs, enforcement) Enforcement ■ Provide FSE inspection list to Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) ■ Conduct FSE grease control device inspections ■ Provide code enforcement for non-compliant FSEs III. Assessment ■ Assess significant FOG areas and producers ■ Adjust FSE participants, exemptions, requirements, and outreach as needed The Ordinance will prohibit FSEs from disposing of FOG (or food waste containing FOG) directly into drains. It will require FSEs to install, clean, and maintain records on grease control devices such as grease traps and interceptors. Individual FSE requirements for types of grease control devices will vary depending on the amount of wastewater discharge according to our plumbing code and engineering standards. Cleaning logs for grease control devices will be required to be made available by FSEs for inspection by SVCW. Page 2 of 4 City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.ore 312