A grease interceptor (also known as a grease trap or FOG (fat/oil/grease) interceptor) is a plumbing pre-treatment device that collects fats, oil and grease, and food particles to prevent them from going into the wastewater system. This device must be installed by a licensed plumber under a plumbing permit issued by a City of Calgary Plumbing & Gas Inspector.

The City of Calgary Wastewater Bylaw 14M2012 states that all industrial, commercial, institutional facilities where food is cooked, processed, prepared or where FOG is released (there is no minimum amount), must install a grease interceptor.

A grease interceptor protects your business and your wastewater system.

Fats, oil and grease hardens as it cools and sticks to the inner lining of pipes, eventually causing a blockage. Preventing fats, oil and grease from going down your drain reduces the amount of money you have to spend on:

• Cleaning and disinfecting after a sewer backup.
• Hiring a contractor to clean the buildup in your pipes.
• Repairing or replacing your pipes if the blockage is severe.

A licensed plumber can determine which device is best suited for your facility. They will consider the volume and flow rate of wastewater from your sinks to determine proper sizing.

Yes, a grease interceptor protects your pipes by removing fats, oil and grease from wastewater before it is released into the pipes where the substances stick and create a clog or blockage.  Grease interceptors require frequent and thorough cleaning to function properly. A grease interceptor that is not regularly cleaned will eventually clog.

Yes. The ground up solids from food waste grinders settle at the bottom of the interceptor and reduce efficiency and capacity. The interceptor will fill up with grease more quickly and will need to be cleaned more frequently.

Grease interceptors back up because they need to be cleaned or because an outlet is blocked. If you buy a larger unit it will need to be cleaned less often because it holds more grease, but all grease interceptors will clog if you don't remove the entire contents regularly.

Wastewater Bylaw 14M2012, referencing the Canadian Standard Association document B481, states that:

• Grease interceptors shall be serviced at least once every four weeks.
• Proper servicing consists of removing 100% of the interceptor substances (entire contents) and thoroughly cleaning the grease interceptor and inspecting its components.
• Regular servicing of grease interceptors shall be performed to prevent excessive odour, degradation of interceptor components and the attraction of vermin.

Grease interceptor selection and installation must be completed by a licensed plumber under a plumbing permit issued by a City of Calgary Plumbing & Gas Inspector. A qualified service provider can also assist with cleaning requirements, as well as tools to help manage cleaning needs and offer proper disposal of waste material. There are several businesses located in Calgary that offer these technical expertise and services.

Costs will vary depending on the work needing to be completed. We suggest obtaining a few quotes from qualified service providers.

FOG and solids should be placed in either your organics bin if permitted, or double-bagged in your garbage bin.

• Contact your organics service provider before sorting the contents to determine if they will accept grease interceptor waste.
• Grease interceptor contents cannot be disposed of into the wastewater system, stormwater system or the environment.

Grease Interceptor contents removed during the cleaning process can be disposed of at the City of Calgary’s Bonnybrook FOG disposal station located at 4302 15 St. S.E.

 **NOTE: Enter through the access gate at 42 Avenue and 17a Street S.E.

• A FOG hauling permit is required to access this disposal station.
• Information on how to apply for a permit can be found here.
• FOG cannot be disposed of at the Valleyfield Septage Station.

Yes. A grease interceptor not only collects grease, but it also removes food particles, fats and oils such as:

• Fats from butter, margarine, shortening and mayonnaise
• Cooking oil
• Dressings and condiments
• Grease from cooking or baking
• Dairy products
• Soups, sauces, and gravies

• Use dry paper towels or a spatula to wipe off food waste from cookware into the compost before washing in the sink or dishwasher.
• Use strainers in your sinks to catch food waste. Empty the strainer into the compost.
• Put greasy foods in the compost, not down the drain.
• Pour small amounts of cooking oil and grease into a container with a tightly sealed lid (e.g., coffee can, small ice cream pail) and once it hardens, scoop it out in your compost. Do not pour it down the drain.

Yes. A maintenance log is a record of how often you clean the interceptor and how full it is each time. It is required under the Wastewater Bylaw 14M2012 to ensure that maintenance is performed regularly. The bylaw also requires that the maintenance records for the previous two years be available for inspection.

Yes, you could pay a fine under the Wastewater Bylaw:

• For failing to install a grease interceptor: $500 to $2,000.
• For failing to monitor, operate, properly maintain and clean a grease interceptor: $500 to $1,500.
• For failing to submit grease interceptor maintenance records: $100 to $500.

In addition, The City can take corrective action at the owner's expense. As a result, the owner could be charged for the following:

• The cost of wastewater service cleaning to clear grease blockages.
• The cost of correcting problems in adjacent properties (e.g., wastewater backups) that are a result of violating the bylaw requirement to have a properly functioning grease interceptor.

No, The City does not give exemptions.  If food is cooked, prepared or processed or any amount of FOG is released from washing equipment used in the preparation, cooking or processing of food, a grease interceptor must be installed.

Please contact 311 by calling, online and via the app.

Yes. Some businesses collect and reuse large amounts of cooking oil.

• Redux program 1-855-867-3389

Please note, grease interceptor waste cannot be disposed of in the used cooking oil bins provided by these companies.