Industrial Pretreatment

About Industrial Pretreatment

The purpose of Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer's Industrial Pretreatment Program is to reduce the amount of pollutants that can enter and adversely impact the wastewater collection system and wastewater treatment plants. To do so, an industry's wastewater is evaluated for its potential impact on the collection system and certain establishments may be required to install grease traps, oil/water separators, chemical neutralization and/or other such methods to prevent disruptions to the wastewater system.

To sign up for BJWSA FOG Management Program click here.

Contact Us

  1. Oliver Simmons

    Pretreatment Program Supervisor
    Contact Oliver Simmons

About Grease Traps

BJWSA actively promotes the proper disposal of pollutants that can enter the wastewater collection system. These efforts include guidelines for grease trap maintenance to prevent fats, oils and grease (FOG) from entering the system. Missing, malfunctioning or inadequately maintained grease traps can cause unpleasant smells, clogs, drain or sewer backups and unsanitary conditions in your building.

If you're in the food service industry, now is the perfect time to schedule a grease trap inspection and cleaning.

Any establishment that serves or prepares food where grease could enter the wastewater system must have a BJWSA-approved grease trap. This helps prevent the discharge of fats, oils and grease into the collection system. A common question from restaurants that don’t fry food is: “Do I really need a grease trap?” The answer is yes.

Many food service establishments, even those that don't use cooking oil, are surprised to learn they still need grease traps. This is because grease traps don't just handle cooking oil; they catch all forms of fat, oil and grease—often hidden in various food products. These traps help prevent blockages and protect the wastewater system from being overwhelmed.

Understanding FOG

FOG stands for Fat, Oil, and Grease, the primary substances that can clog pipes, cause sewer backups, and strain wastewater systems. While FOG is often not visible, it exists in many forms in food products and must be treated before wastewater enters the sewers.

Common FOG Sources

Even establishments like coffee shops, salad bars, sandwich shops, butcher shops, bakeries, and fried food outlets produce FOG. Items like cooking oils, butter, shortening, salad dressings, animal products, milk, cream and fried food all contribute to the buildup of FOG in the system. This is why grease traps are essential for all food service businesses—not just those that fry food.

The Importance of Addressing Solids

In addition to FOG, food solids also play a role in clogging pipes. This is especially true for businesses that use garbage disposals, which break food into a slurry that washes into grease traps. To minimize the impact of solids, BJWSA encourages regular maintenance and proper waste disposal practices.

By maintaining your grease trap and adhering to disposal guidelines, you'll help protect your business from costly sewer backups and contribute to a cleaner environment.

More information can be found in the Grease Trap and Grease Interceptor Standard Policy (PDF).

Image of a clean grease trap and an image of a dirty grease trap.

Such facilities that must install grease-retention devices in accordance with BJWSA's Sewer Use Regulation include:

  • Restaurants
  • Bakeries
  • Bars and clubs
  • Hotels
  • Hospitals, factories and school kitchens

Fees associated with Grease Trap Interceptors effective Aug. 15, 2024:

  • Annual Administration Fee: $400
  • Reinspection Fee: $100
  • Non-Compliance Fee: $200 (billed until in compliance)