Grease Trap Regulations in West Virginia

Overview

West Virginia food businesses must follow fats, oils, and grease (FOG) pretreatment rules under both state and local authority. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) enforces state and federal environmental laws to protect air, water, and land. Local sanitary boards and city water pollution control divisions run their own FOG programs. Oversight is shared between WVDEP and city sewer authorities. Enforcement runs from routine inspections to large fines for violations.

Governing Authorities

At the state level, WVDEP enforces state and federal environmental laws. It also oversees wastewater pretreatment programs. In West Virginia, public sewer plants larger than 5.0 MGD must run a pretreatment program that meets 40 CFR 403.8.

Local enforcement goes to city sanitary boards and utility authorities, including:

• Charleston Sanitary Board (CSB) – Runs a pretreatment program for industrial customers and a grease trap program for non-home food prep customers.
• Huntington Sanitary Board – Runs the FOG program through its Pretreatment Division. The program has been active since the mid-1990s. WVDEP pushed for its start.
• Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) – Manages wastewater treatment and FOG compliance for Morgantown.
• City of Wheeling Water Pollution Control Division – The state has given local authority to this division.
• City of Martinsburg – Enforces city FOG ordinances and grease trap rules.
• City of Parkersburg – Runs a FOG pretreatment permit program.

Key Requirements

Grease Trap Installation:

• Grease traps are required at all restaurants and similar businesses where a lot of grease enters liquid waste.
• Outdoor grease traps must be at least 150 gallons. Larger traps may be required based on the load.
• The outdoor trap must sit within 30 feet of the fixtures it serves.
• Only fixtures that send out grease can connect to the trap.

Cleaning Frequency:

• Sites with grease traps must clean them at least weekly. Some need daily cleaning.
• Outdoor interceptors: cleaning timing varies by city but usually follows the 25% rule.
• Cutting how much grease and food waste enters the trap can lower the cost of more frequent pump-outs.

Safety Requirements:

• Grease traps with manhole covers must be built to handle expected loads and to keep children out. Covers must be bolted or locked. They should be round cast iron or similar, with enough weight to block access.
• Hotels and restaurants must keep grease trap manholes closed and secured at all times. The only exception is when staff open them for pumping or service.

Record-Keeping:

• Service records and pumping manifests must be kept for three years.
• Service logs showing date, time, and volume of grease removed must stay on-site.
• Records must be ready for inspection by sanitary board or health department staff.

Prohibited Practices:

• Fryer oil (yellow grease) must not go down the sewer. Yellow grease has resale value. Store it in a secured tank.
• Any biological additive placed in the grease trap or building drain line needs written approval from the City of Martinsburg before use. This includes enzymes, bacteria products, and any product made to absorb, treat, or remove grease. Using additives does not replace required cleaning.

Fines and Enforcement

State-Level Penalties:

• West Virginia SB 240 (2020) raised fines from $5 to $50 for each day a business fails to comply with the new rule for unsecured grease trap covers.

Municipal Enforcement:

• If the City of Martinsburg has to clean out sewer lines because of a blockage from a poor or missing grease trap, the owner must pay back the city. That covers labor, equipment, materials, overhead, and any fines from a sewer overflow tied to the blockage.
• Sites that cause sewer overflows from grease may have to pay cleanup costs and any fines the city faces.
• Missing records, permit violations, and bad upkeep can bring violation notices and possible service shut-off.

Enforcement tools include routine inspections, special checks based on complaints, sampling, testing, and fines. The City keeps the right to inspect and approve any install of grease control equipment.

Major City FOG Programs

Charleston

The Charleston Sanitary Board (CSB) is the city sewer utility for Charleston and nearby parts of Kanawha County. CSB runs a sewer collection system and a treatment plant that serves about 23,000 customers. CSB sets grease trap rules for commercial food businesses and requires restaurants to install and maintain proper traps. The board waived the FY 2022 $450 grease trap fee due to the pandemic. Many businesses were closed or running at reduced capacity. The yearly grease trap fee is back in effect for normal operations.

Huntington

The Huntington Sanitary Board's FOG program runs through its Pretreatment Division. It has been active since the mid-1990s. WVDEP pushed for its start. Sarah Kelley has been the sole inspector for the past 13 years. The program serves about 175 to 180 food businesses. The Authorized Hauler Program took effect in September 2023 and has helped with more accurate, timely inspections. Sites are placed in Quarterly, Semi Annual, or Annual inspection groups. Huntington's program is a model for other mid-sized cities through its use of tech and work with local agencies.

Wheeling

The FOG ordinance requires all businesses to install and maintain grease control equipment sized for their site. This lets the Water Pollution Control Division enforce the rules. The City of Wheeling runs under delegated state authority. It has built out best practices for food businesses. Sites with grease traps must clean them at least weekly. Some need daily cleaning. The Water Pollution Control Division keeps an approved hauler list and requires permits for all food sites that send FOG into the city sewer.

Morgantown

The Morgantown Utility Board manages wastewater treatment for the city. It enforces grease trap rules for commercial food businesses. MUB runs two treatment plants that have been recognized for meeting National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit rules. Food businesses must follow trap install, upkeep, and record-keeping rules under the utility's pretreatment program. MUB works with the local health department on FOG inspections and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often must I clean my grease trap in West Virginia?

Cleaning timing depends on trap type and local rules. Small grease traps usually need weekly or even daily cleaning by staff. Large outdoor traps are usually serviced by haulers monthly or quarterly. The 25% rule applies. Cleaning must happen before grease and solids hit 25% of trap capacity. Your local sanitary board may set minimum cleaning schedules no matter the level. Check with your city.

What records must I keep for grease trap maintenance?

West Virginia food businesses must keep service records and pumping manifests for three years. Records should show the date and time of each cleaning, volume of grease and solids removed, hauler name, disposal site, and any repairs. Keep a bound logbook on-site. Show it when a sanitary board or health department inspector asks. Missing records can lead to violations and fines.

Can I use enzymes or additives in my grease trap?

Biological additives, enzymes, and chemical treatments need written approval from your local authority before use. Most West Virginia cities ban them. These products do not replace proper cleaning and pumping. Additives that break down grease are a problem because the grease re-forms in sewer lines and causes blockages. Focus on proper trap upkeep, dry cleanup, and licensed haulers instead of additives.

Find Grease Trap Service in West Virginia

Our directory lists 6 licensed grease trap service providers across West Virginia. These haulers offer trap pumping, interceptor cleaning, line jetting, and compliance records. They help your food business meet state and local FOG rules. Whether you run a kitchen in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Wheeling, or elsewhere in the Mountain State, qualified providers can keep your grease systems in shape and your site in line. Visit our West Virginia grease trap service directory to find licensed haulers near you.