SFPUC presents draft fats, oils and grease ordinance to Port Commission, recommends automatic grease removal devices for high-risk restaurants

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission presented a draft fats, oils and grease (FOG) control ordinance to the Port Commission as part of coordinated efforts to reduce sewer blockages and meet permitted discharge requirements. Rich Berman (port real estate regulatory specialist) introduced Karen Hurst, the SFPUC Water Pollution Program Manager, who described the proposed ordinance’s intent, background and major provisions.

Hurst told the commission that sanitary-sewer operators have identified grease as a chronic cause of sewer blockages and emergency response work, and that port and city plumbing and public-works codes already require grease-capturing equipment in many circumstances. Based on multi-year outreach and inspections, SFPUC staff proposed a risk-based categorization of food-service businesses (four categories) tied to the intensity of cooking and the expected grease load. Category 1 establishments — high-volume grease generators such as large steakhouses — would be required to upgrade to an automatic grease removal device (AGRD) or equivalent; lower-risk sites would be subject to clearer maintenance and servicing standards.

Hurst showed field examples of grease traps, large interceptors and AGRD units and said SFPUC crews spend a significant portion of field time — more than 40% of relevant calls — on grease-related work. Staff estimated annual direct costs for grease response (staff time, cleaning equipment, CCTV, repeated maintenance) exceeding $3,500,000. SFPUC released vendor quotes for AGRD installation that ranged roughly from $2,800 to $6,000 per unit, depending on kitchen configuration, and said AGRDs could reduce assumed loading and the related sewer charge by roughly 14% for participating businesses, improving return on investment over one to five years.

The ordinance would clarify inspection and maintenance expectations (addressing gaps when restaurants change ownership), provide guidance on acceptable equipment types, and require coordination with port inspectors where the port’s own plumbing code and inspection regime apply. SFPUC staff said the draft ordinance has been discussed with stakeholders including the Golden Gate Restaurant Association and chambers of commerce and will be advanced to the Board of Supervisors after the SFPUC and port commission processes.

Commissioners asked questions about enforcement, the practicalities of retrofit in constrained kitchens and cost impacts on smaller businesses. Hurst said the ordinance aims to minimize the compliance burden on low-risk businesses while improving sewer-system performance and public-health protections. No vote was required; the item was presented for information and to allow the port to coordinate inspection and enforcement where port property is affected.