WMUA program focuses on keeping grease from sewers

MANALAPAN - The Western Monmouth UtilitiesAuthority (WMUA) has announced the start of a new program to cut down on grease entering its treatment system and local waterways, asking that food service establishments implement new maintenance practices to prevent sewer line blockages and threats to the environment.

The authority also announced that the implementation of the programwill be completely paperless once the initial registration form is completed.

"We are announcing a new initiative to educate local food service establishments about the essential role they can play in protecting the environment and our treatment plant," said Executive Director Michael Dimino, referring to the WMUA's new Grease Trap Management Program. "This will greatly limit the amount of fats, oils and grease that enter our treatment system and present a risk to our waterways."

According to a press release, theWMUA issued letters to all local food service establishments informing their operators of the new Grease Trap Management Program and its new compliance requirements.

Effective May 1, the WMUA will be implementing the new program to address specific maintenance concerns that arise fromfats, oils and greasemaking their way into the WMUA's treatment system, which also present threats to local waterways such as Matchaponix and Pine Brook creeks.

"It is a known fact that fats, oils and grease are theNo. 1 culprits of sewer blockages," said Dimino.

Under the new program, the WMUA will:•

Educate owners of grease traps about their maintenance responsibilities;

• Conduct an inventory of all grease traps within the authority's service area; and,•

Design measures to prevent grease from entering the authority's system.

As part of the new program, which is based on a national model for food service establishments, food establishments will be provided with a "Best Management Practice and GuidanceManual for Food Service Establishments" and a list of frequently asked questions, complete with answers. These tools will assist owners and managers of food establishments in complying with the new program, according to the press release.

The new programgives local food establishments 30 days to schedule an inspection of their current grease trap system, a device used in a drain to prevent grease from entering the sewer system. There are about 200 food service facilities within theWMUA service area, according to information provided to the WMUA by local regulating agencies.

"The goal of this program is to raise awareness about the harmful effects fats, oils and grease can have when they enter our sewer system," said Dimino. "We need to educate food establishments about the important role they play and preventative measures they can deploy. This proactive measure by theWMUAis designed to avoid future sewer blockages, saving ratepayer dollars onmaintenance and avoiding lapses in service."