Lab reports large grease inflows from Manteno industry; staff pressing for pretreatment
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Summary
Lab services staff told the board that an industry in Manteno sent 10.5 tons of fat, oil and grease in one month and that staff are working with the company and engineers to implement pretreatment solutions.
Lab services staff told the Environmental Services Utility Board on Jan. 21 that the department is dealing with significant fat, oil and grease (FOG) discharges from an industrial customer in Manteno and is working on pretreatment requirements.
Why it matters: High FOG inflows can damage sewer infrastructure, increase maintenance costs, and cause permit or compliance implications for the pretreatment program.
What staff reported: Mr. McGinnis of lab services said one Manteno customer sent about 10.5 tons of grease in one month. Staff are working with that company and engineering consultants to develop and install pretreatment measures; one facility currently lacks pretreatment, McGinnis said.
Regulatory and operational response: Lab staff reported completing annual industrial inspections required by the pretreatment program and said industrial billing is down partly because of holiday shutdowns and reduced flow from several large customers. Staff expect at least one industrial customer's flow to return to prior levels but noted current industrial sewer revenues are at their lowest since fiscal 2022.
Next steps: Lab and technical staff will continue to press industries without pretreatment to implement solutions, track industrial billing and adjust inspections as needed to manage grease inflows and protect downstream sewer operations.