Grease Trap Regulations in Oregon

Overview

Oregon food businesses that may put fats, oils, or grease (FOG) into the sewer must follow state and local pretreatment rules. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) sets the state framework. Day-to-day enforcement is handled by city sewer agencies.

Oregon's environmental rules are among the strictest in the Pacific Northwest. They cover trap install, cleaning schedules, licensed hauler manifests, and three-year record-keeping.

Governing Authorities

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) is the state agency that oversees environmental protection and water quality. At the local level, the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) runs the FOG program for Portland and Lake Oswego.

Clean Water Services manages water resources for more than 600,000 people in urban Washington County. It enforces pretreatment rules for that area. The cities of Eugene and Springfield run their own FOG programs through their sewer departments. The City of Eugene is the administrative authority for sites that send wastewater to the Eugene/Springfield Regional Water Pollution Control Facility.

Key Requirements

Oregon food businesses must follow these core FOG rules:

• The Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code requires all food businesses to tie kitchen fixtures into grease interceptors. This applies to new builds, redevelopment, tenant work, and ownership or occupancy changes.
• Trap sizing must follow Section 1014.2.2 of the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OPSC).
• Cleaning timing is set by business type, trap size, and flow volume. Most traps must be cleaned when they are 25 percent full of grease and solids.
• Sites must keep records of routine check dates, cleaning and waste removal dates, and how the waste was disposed.
• A business must file a cleaning report with the City after every pump-out. Preferred Pumpers can do this for the business.
• Additives like enzymes, chemicals, or bacteria are banned as a substitute for a grease trap or for trap upkeep. Additives that break down grease are banned in all cases.

Fines and Enforcement

When DEQ assesses a civil penalty, it uses criteria from Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 340, Division 12. Base fines run from $100 per day for each Class III violation with minor magnitude, up to $12,000 per day for each Class I violation with major magnitude. Base fines can be raised or lowered based on factors in Division 12. The fine reflects the type of violator, the violator's history, knowledge of the rules, and the severity, frequency, and length of the violation.

City staff inspect grease traps to make sure they work and that businesses pump them often enough to keep grease out of the city sewer. The City can issue citations for any trap problems. The City will take enforcement action against any food business that causes a grease blockage in the city sewer. The site may also owe damages to other homes or businesses harmed by the blockage. DEQ uses several tools to drive compliance: technical help, inspections, complaint reviews, and orders to pay fines and fix the issue.

Major City FOG Programs

Portland (Bureau of Environmental Services)

Portland adopted ENB-4.26, the Fats, Oils, and Grease Removal Program Administrative Rules, in December 2011. The Cut Through the FOG program requires that all FOG drain lines tie into grease interceptors at all Portland food businesses. This applies to new builds, redevelopment, tenant work, and changes in ownership or occupancy. The 3,000-plus food businesses in Portland and Lake Oswego pay extra sewer fees because their wastewater needs more cleaning. Portland enforces a 100 mg/L FOG discharge standard. Sites that need to retrofit can ask BES for permission to discharge above this level for up to 180 days for Gravity Grease Interceptors (GGIs) and 90 days for Hydromechanical Grease Interceptors (HGIs).

Washington County (Clean Water Services)

Clean Water Services manages water resources for more than 600,000 people in urban Washington County. It runs four wastewater treatment plants and manages flow into the Tualatin River. It also runs the regional stormwater system. It works with Washington County and 12 member cities to keep public drainage in line with strict water quality rules set by the Oregon DEQ for the Tualatin River area. Washington County food businesses must follow the Clean Water Services FOG pretreatment program and join the regional Preferred Pumper Program.

Eugene (Wastewater Division)

All food businesses must install grease removal devices under the Oregon State Plumbing Specialty Code and the Eugene City Code within one year of the rule's effective date. The Oregon code lets the administrative authority require a grease trap to keep grease out of the sewer. The City of Eugene is the administrative authority for Eugene sites. Eugene also requires full removal of all trap contents during cleaning. That includes floating waste, water, and bottom solids. Sites must use licensed Mobile Waste Haulers for disposal.

Springfield

Springfield enforces rules like Eugene's. Both cities send wastewater to the shared Eugene/Springfield Regional Water Pollution Control Facility. Food sites must install a grease removal device when building or remodeling. The work must follow the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code and the Springfield Municipal Code. Springfield requires licensed plumbers to handle install, gear, plumbing, and in-ground work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must I clean my grease trap in Oregon?

The City sets cleaning timing based on business type, trap size, and flow volume. Most traps must be cleaned when they are 25 percent full of grease and solids. In practice, most sites clean every 1 to 3 months. Most grease traps need to be pumped at least once every three months.

What records must I keep for grease trap maintenance?

Oregon food businesses must keep full service records. The site must log routine check dates, cleaning and waste removal dates, and how the waste was disposed. Portland, Eugene, Clean Water Services, and most other areas require three years of records. These must be ready during inspections.

Can I use additives or enzymes in my grease trap?

No. Additives like enzymes, chemicals, or bacteria are banned as a substitute for a grease trap or for trap upkeep. Additives that break down grease are banned in all cases. In Portland, adding any chemical, enzyme, or bacterial product to break up FOG breaks Portland City Code 17.34. Administrative Rule ENB-4.26 also bans additives no matter what they contain, because they let grease pass through the trap and flow into the city sewer.

Find Grease Trap Service in Oregon

We list 35 certified grease trap service providers across Oregon. These providers know Oregon's strict FOG rules and can help your business stay compliant with state and local rules. Whether you run a kitchen in Portland, Eugene, Washington County, or anywhere else in the state, working with a qualified provider helps you avoid fines, keep proper records, and protect Oregon water quality. View our complete directory of Oregon grease trap service providers to find a certified hauler in your area.