Tupelo adopts grease-trap inspection ordinance for non-domestic sewer users

The Tupelo City Council on Oct. 21 approved an amendment to the City of Tupelo Code of Ordinances to create an inspection and maintenance program for grease traps, interceptors and separators used by non-domestic sewer users.

Ben Logan, who summarized the ordinance in council discussion, said the ordinance "adds a few definitions" and does not change the policy discussed in the previous work session. The new language applies to new installations and existing facilities and defines prohibited discharges, sets a 1,500-gallon reference point for certain equipment, and creates a standard inspection/maintenance cadence. The ordinance sets a default 90-day inspection schedule unless Water and Light determines more frequent inspections are required, and allows written requests for alternative self‑cleaning procedures if approved by Water and Light.

The ordinance includes an escalating penalty schedule for noncompliance: warning to remedy, followed by fines that start at $1,000 and increase to $1,500 and $2,000 within the two-year enforcement window and continue to rise thereafter. Council members said the changes formalize expectations discussed in a recent work session and clarified that alternative approaches must be permitted by the Water and Light department.

The amendment was moved and seconded during the meeting and the motion carried. The ordinance is recorded as an amendment to Chapter 26, Utilities, Article 2, Division 4 of the City Code and will be enforced by the appropriate city department.