Municipal Grease Control - Program Description

Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO)

Grease can accumulate in sewer lines restricting flow and eventually blocking the pipe. The blockage can cause untreated sewage to discharge into the surrounding area in an event called a "sanitary sewer overflow (SSO)." A major number of these SSO events are caused by grease released into the sewer system from houses, restaurants, and local businesses. Small quantities of grease come out of solution in the sewers and begin to coat pipes and begin a buildup that starts to restrict flow. Most cities utilize camera inspection and physical cleaning to remove grease in troublesome sections of the sewer lines. In many cities, increased population density and older sewer lines have created a need for frequent cleaning and educational programs to keep people from dumping grease into the sewers.

Since the 1980s, people have been using microbial cultures to initiate grease degradation in the sewers. This process relies on the ability of select microbes to convert the grease into ever smaller particles that do not buildup in the sewer system. At Aster Bio we have several options to keep the grease from causing blockages while preventing free grease from entering the sewage treatment plant where it is more difficult to treat than other components of wastewater. Over the next three blog posts, we will discuss the treatment options that exist for grease control, odor control, and lower loadings hitting the treatment plant.  The next topics are going to be:

Restaurant Grease Control - Treating lines in the restaurant helps prevent plumber emergencies caused by grease in drain lines. It also helps keep the grease trap from producing substantial foul odors and helps lower the amount of grease entering into the sewer system. Additional benefits include the reduction in "drain flies" that rapidly breed on grease found in floor drains.

Gravity Sewer Lines - Treatment can be established that allows for a beneficial grease degrading biofilm to establish on the pipe walls. This reduces grease accumulation and associated odors/corrosion caused by hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Lift Stations/Force Mains - Lift stations often have grease accumulating on walls, pumps and floats. This grease causes damage to equipment and causes odors that can create complaints from local residents. Aster Bio can use a combination of microbes and equipment to convert the station into a working biological treatment system node that does not accumulate grease or produce odors.

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