Grease Trap Regulations in Connecticut

Overview

Connecticut reissued its General Permit for the Discharge of Wastewater Associated with Food Service Establishments in October 2025. The permit governs fats, oils, and grease (FOG) statewide. There is no fee and no registration to file. The permit covers all Class III and IV food service establishments that send wastewater to the sanitary sewer. Final enforcement sits with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Cities are urged to fix FOG issues at the local level first.

Governing Authorities

DEEP runs the statewide General Permit and provides enforcement oversight. Local Water Pollution Control Authorities (WPCAs) run FOG programs in each city. The main local enforcers include the Metropolitan District of Hartford (MDC), which inspects all indoor and outdoor grease traps quarterly. Other major WPCAs operate in New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, and Norwalk. The Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority enforces local FOG ordinances and writes its own FOG rules.

Key Requirements

Class III and IV food service establishments must control FOG discharge. You install one of three options: an outside grease trap or interceptor, an active grease recovery unit (AGRU), or a super-capacity grease interceptor (SCGI). The choice must follow the technical rules in the General Permit. Key requirements:

• AGRUs need a clean-out at least four times a year (quarterly). After one year of operation, you can ask for longer intervals if grease and solids stay below 25% during each three-month window.
• Quarterly inspections of all indoor and outdoor grease traps are required. Outdoor passive interceptors need a pump-out at least every three months.
• Keep written logs and receipts of all cleaning and maintenance on site for review by authorities.
• Make logs and hauler receipts available to the WPCA on demand. Keep cleaning and inspection records on file for at least five years.
• Disposal in Connecticut must go to a regional collection, transfer, or disposal site.
• No food grinder (garbage disposal) or food pulper may discharge to any grease trap, AGRU, or other approved unit.

Fines and Enforcement

Non-compliance brings monetary fines and enforcement actions. The exact amounts vary by city. Civil fines are set under Section 22a-430 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Each separate violation counts as its own offense. Each day the violation continues counts as a new violation. DEEP can issue an order to abate pollution. DEEP can also ask the Attorney General to bring an action to stop the discharge if you operate without a permit or break a permit term.

City ordinances add their own teeth. If you do not fix the violation within 30 days of notice, you can be punished. Each day after the notice counts as a separate violation with a separate penalty. Repeat violations can be referred to other agencies. That includes the Health Department and CT DEEP. The Health Department can be asked to close the facility or to deny renewal of your food service license.

Major City FOG Programs

Hartford (Metropolitan District)

The Metropolitan District inspects all indoor and outdoor grease traps every quarter. AGRUs must be cleaned at least four times a year. After one year of clean operation, a facility can ask for cleaning intervals longer than three months. Roughly 1,600 food service establishments operate in the greater Hartford area under the MDC FOG program.

Stamford

Stamford passed Ordinance No. 1104 in 2009. It covers wastewater discharge from food prep sites and is known as Article V Abatement of Fats, Oils, and Grease Discharge into Public Sewers. The FOG Abatement Program covers Class III and IV food service establishments. The Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority (SWPCA) does routine and follow-up inspections to check compliance. Non-compliance brings monetary fines and enforcement actions. Owners and operators must register with SWPCA and prepare a FOG Abatement Plan that SWPCA approves.

New Haven

New Haven follows the statewide FOG program. Local WPCAs enforce. The Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority (GNHWPCA) released a new Grease Interceptor Standard Detail effective July 3, 2025. The update is meant to improve compliance and maintenance practices and to protect the regional sewer system from FOG blockages. The new standard reflects current design rules in state and local codes.

Bridgeport

Bridgeport enforces FOG rules through its Water Pollution Control Authority. Class III and IV food service establishments must install grease interceptors and follow routine maintenance. Facilities must meet quarterly inspection schedules and dispose of waste at approved regional facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of grease trap does my restaurant need?

Connecticut requires Class III and IV food service establishments to install one of three options: an outside grease trap or interceptor, an active grease recovery unit (AGRU), or a super-capacity grease interceptor (SCGI). The authorized agent approves the FOG equipment based on your flow and your local rules. Contact your local Water Pollution Control Authority to find the right system for your site.

How often must I clean my grease trap?

AGRUs need a clean-out at least four times a year (quarterly). Passive outdoor interceptors need a pump-out at least every three months. Owners and operators must inspect all indoor and outdoor grease traps at least quarterly. After one year of operation, you can ask for longer cleaning intervals if grease and solids stay under 25% capacity during each three-month window.

What records must I keep for my grease trap?

Your maintenance log must include the dates of all activities, the volume pumped, the grease depth, the hauler's name, the disposal location, the disposal method, and the name of the person recording the entry. Make logs and hauler receipts available to the WPCA on demand. Keep cleaning and inspection records on file for at least five years. Keep a written log and receipts of all cleaning and maintenance on site for review by the MDC.

Find Grease Trap Service in Connecticut

Restaurants in Connecticut need regular professional grease trap service to stay compliant with state and local FOG rules. Our directory lists 21 licensed grease trap service providers across Connecticut. These haulers offer quarterly cleaning, emergency pumping, inspection services, and disposal at DEEP-approved regional sites. Find a qualified grease trap service provider in Connecticut to keep your site compliant with the DEEP General Permit and to avoid fines.