Nocardia type foam on a domestic wasewater aeration basin. Influent FOG promotes development of hydrophobic microbial foams.
Grease, primarily from residential and commercial kitchens, can cause significant operational issues if not managed properly. This post reviews educating the public on the grease problem, emphasizes restaurant grease trap maintenance, outlines collection system pretreatment programs, and explain how bioaugmentation can assist in grease degradation within biological treatment plants.
Understanding the Grease Problem
Grease, fats, and oils are byproducts of cooking and food preparation. When these substances enter the wastewater system, they tend to solidify and create blockages, leading to backups, overflows, and increased maintenance costs. The impact of grease on wastewater treatment plant comes from the fact that insoluble grease/fatty acids take longer to decompose biologically than other soluble organics and nuisance organisms such as M. parvicella and Nocardia forms (foaming) thrive on grease.
Step 1 - Educating the Public (Keep Grease Out)
Public awareness is the first line of defense against grease-related issues. Programs to educate residents and businesses about the proper disposal of grease helps to reduce the amount entering the wastewater system. Simple actions, such as wiping grease from dishes before washing and disposing of it in the trash, can make a substantial difference. Community outreach programs, informative brochures, and social media campaigns are effective tools for spreading this message.
Step 2 - Restaurant Grease Trap Education & Maintenance
Restaurants and other food service establishments are major contributors to grease in the wastewater system. Proper maintenance of grease traps is crucial to prevent grease from entering the sewer lines. I find it interesting that many restaurant workers do not know about the grease trap and how odors blamed on "dumpsters/trash" is actually coming from a poorly maintained trap. Regular cleaning and inspection ensure that they function correctly. Establishments should also train their staff on best practices for grease management and disposal. By adhering to these practices, restaurants can play a significant role in reducing the grease load on wastewater treatment plants. Grease trap microbial products are often subject to debates regarding their ability to reduce FOG entering the collection system. Data collected in studies has demonstrated that well designed grease trap microbial blends when dosed appropriately along with normal inspection/maintenance helps with trap maintenance and lower grease/long chain fatty acids entering the collection system.
Step 3 - Collection System Pretreatment
Pretreatment programs are essential for managing grease before it reaches the wastewater treatment plant. These programs involve installing and maintaining equipment designed to capture and remove grease from the wastewater. Regular inspections and maintenance of the collection system can prevent grease build-up and ensure the smooth operation of the treatment facility. Pretreatment programs also include regulatory measures, such as permits and inspections, to enforce compliance among businesses that discharge grease-laden wastewater. In problem sections of collection systems, you can use added biological cultures to reduce grease accumulation in pipes and lift stations. A side benefit is these grease control programs can also reduce odors and H2S. These cultures must be added upstream of the problem section and allowed to form a beneficial biofilm on pipe walls. In effect, you are transforming the pipe walls and lift station into a biological pretreatment section.
Can Bioaugmentation Aid in Grease Degradation at the Biological Treatment Plant?
Despite best efforts to minimize grease entry into the wastewater system, some grease inevitably makes its way to the treatment plant. Here, bioaugmentation can play a role in enhancing grease degradation. Bioaugmentation involves introducing specific microorganisms into the biological treatment process. These microorganisms accelerate the degradation of fats, oils, and grease, improving the overall performance of the treatment plant.
Understanding the Grease Problem
Grease, fats, and oils are byproducts of cooking and food preparation. When these substances enter the wastewater system, they tend to solidify and create blockages, leading to backups, overflows, and increased maintenance costs. The impact of grease on wastewater treatment plant comes from the fact that insoluble grease/fatty acids take longer to decompose biologically than other soluble organics and nuisance organisms such as M. parvicella and Nocardia forms (foaming) thrive on grease.
Step 1 - Educating the Public (Keep Grease Out)
Public awareness is the first line of defense against grease-related issues. Programs to educate residents and businesses about the proper disposal of grease helps to reduce the amount entering the wastewater system. Simple actions, such as wiping grease from dishes before washing and disposing of it in the trash, can make a substantial difference. Community outreach programs, informative brochures, and social media campaigns are effective tools for spreading this message.
Step 2 - Restaurant Grease Trap Education & Maintenance
Restaurants and other food service establishments are major contributors to grease in the wastewater system. Proper maintenance of grease traps is crucial to prevent grease from entering the sewer lines. I find it interesting that many restaurant workers do not know about the grease trap and how odors blamed on "dumpsters/trash" is actually coming from a poorly maintained trap. Regular cleaning and inspection ensure that they function correctly. Establishments should also train their staff on best practices for grease management and disposal. By adhering to these practices, restaurants can play a significant role in reducing the grease load on wastewater treatment plants. Grease trap microbial products are often subject to debates regarding their ability to reduce FOG entering the collection system. Data collected in studies has demonstrated that well designed grease trap microbial blends when dosed appropriately along with normal inspection/maintenance helps with trap maintenance and lower grease/long chain fatty acids entering the collection system.
Step 3 - Collection System Pretreatment
Pretreatment programs are essential for managing grease before it reaches the wastewater treatment plant. These programs involve installing and maintaining equipment designed to capture and remove grease from the wastewater. Regular inspections and maintenance of the collection system can prevent grease build-up and ensure the smooth operation of the treatment facility. Pretreatment programs also include regulatory measures, such as permits and inspections, to enforce compliance among businesses that discharge grease-laden wastewater. In problem sections of collection systems, you can use added biological cultures to reduce grease accumulation in pipes and lift stations. A side benefit is these grease control programs can also reduce odors and H2S. These cultures must be added upstream of the problem section and allowed to form a beneficial biofilm on pipe walls. In effect, you are transforming the pipe walls and lift station into a biological pretreatment section.
Can Bioaugmentation Aid in Grease Degradation at the Biological Treatment Plant?
Despite best efforts to minimize grease entry into the wastewater system, some grease inevitably makes its way to the treatment plant. Here, bioaugmentation can play a role in enhancing grease degradation. Bioaugmentation involves introducing specific microorganisms into the biological treatment process. These microorganisms accelerate the degradation of fats, oils, and grease, improving the overall performance of the treatment plant.
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