What Is a Grease Trap and How Does One Affect Me?
A grease trap is a device designed and installed in order to separate and retain grease and oil from the normal wastes and permit normal liquid wastes to discharge into the sewer system. In the MRWPCA service area, grease traps are a major concern for all of us, since the leading industry is tourism. In order to accommodate these tourists, the Monterey Peninsula provides some of the most varied and unique restaurants to be seen anywhere. Presently, there are hundreds of these establishments serving the area and a proportionate amount of grease and oil derived from their operation is entering the regional sewer system and creating pumping and processing problems. This excess of grease and oil is mainly due to inefficient pretreatment practices. With installation and proper maintenance of grease traps/interceptors, there should be a minimum amount of grease and oil entering the sanitary sewer system, therefore reducing the problems at MRWPCA pump stations and the Regional Treatment Plant
