Nashville Metro FOG & grease interceptor rules
Concrete Metro Water Services requirements for Nashville food service establishments (FSEs).
Approved equipment and FOG plan
Requirement: New, upgraded, or change-of-owner FSEs must install approved grease-control equipment and submit a FOG plan for approval.
Official text: "Any new food service establishment, upgrading of an existing food service establishment, or change of ownership of an existing food service establishment will be required to install and maintain Metro Water Services-approved grease control equipment. Food service establishments in all FSE Class (Class 0 through 5) categories must submit a FOG plan to Metro Water Services for approval."
90-day and 25-percent rule
Requirement: Grease interceptors must be pumped at least every 90 days and whenever accumulation reaches 25 percent of liquid depth.
Official text: "Grease interceptors must have the complete contents of both chambers pumped or cleaned at a frequency of not less than once every 90 days unless approved by the Department. Grease interceptors fitted with an operational DMD and/or DMA may be approved to pump less frequently but under no circumstances less often than once every 180 days. Grease interceptors must have a complete pump of contents when the total accumulations of surface FOG (including floating solids) and settled solids combined reaches twenty-five percent (25%) of the grease interceptor’s overall liquid depth. This criterion is referred to as the "25 Percent Rule"."
FSE maintenance records and manifests
Requirement: FSEs must keep cleaning records with date, service provider, volume, and a completed hauler manifest.
Official text: "All FSEs will be required to maintain records of cleaning and maintenance of GCE. GCE maintenance records include, at a minimum, the date of cleaning/maintenance, company or person conducting the cleaning/maintenance, and volume (in gallons) of grease wastewater removed. A grease waste hauler completed manifest must include this information to meet this requirement."
Annual inspection
Requirement: Grease-control equipment must be inspected and certified annually by a Metro-certified inspector.
Official text: "All establishments with grease control equipment must have their grease interceptor or grease trap inspected and certified annually. Certification can only be performed by a Metro Water Services certified inspector that has completed and passed Metro Water Services’ Grease Control Equipment (Grease Interceptor / Grease Trap) Certification course available online at www.greasetrapclass.com and remain in good standing."