Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Saltville council orders letters to businesses after grease clogs Farm Road lift station
Summary
After heavy grease fouled a Farm Road lift station — blocking sensors and preventing pumps from engaging — the council directed staff to send letters to businesses and schools requiring grease traps and to require businesses to confirm compliance within 60 days.
Public Works Director Brandon Frye told the Saltville Town Council on Aug. 26 that a Farm Road lift station had stopped pumping when grease caked equipment, blocked a transducer and prevented the pumps from activating during routine checks. Frye said crews began pumping the pit down and added treatment to keep grease levels lower, but that action is sending more grease to the headworks and increasing cleaning needs.
Frye said he believes the grease is entering the system from restaurants. Council members said the town needs to enforce its grease-trap code. The council voted to send letters to all businesses and affected schools outlining the town’s grease-trap requirements and to give recipients 60 days to install compliant grease traps or otherwise demonstrate compliance, with businesses required to return notice to town hall when the work is complete (motion by Councilwoman Suzanne Abramson; second by Councilman Cary Sauls).
What’s next: Staff will prepare and mail the compliance letters and track responses; public-works staff will continue to monitor lift stations and report back on system impacts.
