POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: IX B
MEETING DATE: 11/18/2025
TITLE
Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.) Management
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve or provide direction towards the inspection and necessary enforcement efforts under City Code § 13.05.460,requiring food service businesses to properly maintain and, if necessary, upgrade grease interceptors to protect the City’s wastewater system.
ANALYSIS
The City of Point Arena has observed a steady increase in grease buildup within the wastewater collection and treatment systems. This accumulation can reduce treatment efficiency, increase maintenance costs, and cause sewer blockages or backups, ultimately affecting all ratepayers.
As stated in the Municipal Code § 13.05.460 - Control Facilities Required Grease, oil and sand interceptors, pH neutralizing chambers, screens or other control facilities shall be provided when, in the opinion of the commissioner and plant supervisor, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing harmful ingredients. All interceptors shall be of type and capacity approved by the city engineer, and shall be so located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection. All control facilities shall be maintained by the owner at his expense, in continuous and efficient operation at all times.
No sanitary sewage shall be discharged into control facilities provided for industrial wastes.
Rather than adopting a new ordinance at this time, using the existing code to enforce proper installation, maintenance, and operation of grease interceptors among local food service businesses is possible.
Notices would be emailed and mailed to all food service establishments explaining City Code requirements, recommended F.O.G. best practices, and the upcoming inspection program. Which will consist of the following:
• Businesses are to begin recording cleaning activities by December 1, 2025 and maintain documentation for review.
• The Wastewater Chief Plant Operator will, at random, visit establishments to confirm that grease interceptors are cleaned regularly and maintained properly by inspecting the traps and reviewing the maintenance documents (which will be provided for them).
• The Wastewater Chief Plant Operator will work with businesses and evaluate whether interceptors are correctly sized for the business’ operations and identify cases where a new installation may be necessary.
• The City is coordinating with the Economic Development and Financing Corporation (EDFC) to provide low-interest loans for businesses needing to install or upgrade grease interceptors.
Businesses are not the sole contributors to the City’s wastewater system. Accordingly, residents will also receive a letter outlining guidance on actions they can take to assist in the proper operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant.
Using existing City Code § 13.05.460, the City can ensure that grease interceptors are properly installed, maintained, and cleaned, reducing risks to the wastewater system and long-term costs.
FISCAL IMPACT
Inspections and outreach are being conducted using existing departmental staff.
Costs for interceptor installation, cleaning, and maintenance are the responsibility of the business owner.
Proactive enforcement helps prevent costly backups and reduces long-term maintenance expenses for the City.
ATTACHMENTS
1. FOG Letters
2. Interceptor Cleaning Record
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
_________________________________
Molly C. Haviland, City Manager
CITY OF POINT ARENA
451 School St. | PO Box 67 | Point Arena, CA 95468
(707) 882-2122 | pointarena.ca.gov
November 13, 2025
Notice to Food Service Establishments
Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.) Management
Dear Business Owner,
The City of Point Arena is committed to maintaining the integrity and efficiency of its wastewater system. Under City Code § 13.05.460, grease, oil, and sand interceptors (also known as grease traps) are required for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing harmful ingredients. All interceptors must be approved by the City, located for easy access, and maintained by the owner at their expense in continuous and efficient operation.
In recent years, the Point Arena Wastewater Treatment Plant has observed a steady increase in grease buildup in both the treatment system and collection lines. This buildup can impair treatment efficiency, increase maintenance costs, and cause clogged pipes and sewer backups—ultimately raising costs for all users.
To help protect the system, the City is requiring all food service businesses to ensure their grease interceptors are properly installed, maintained, and cleaned regularly.
Over the coming weeks, the Wastewater Chief Plant Operator Joe Wilson will be visiting local food-related establishments to inspect grease traps and confirm that proper cleaning and maintenance practices are being followed.
It is imperative that businesses begin recording cleaning activities by December 1, 2025 and have documentation available for review during inspections.
Additionally, more information will be provided in the coming weeks regarding calculations to determine whether your current interceptor is appropriately sized or if a new interceptor must be installed.
Requirements for Businesses
• Maintain Interceptors: Clean your grease interceptor regularly. Frequency should meet the device’s capacity and your business’s volume, with traps cleaned at least once per day or more often as needed.
• Starting December 1, 2025: Keep detailed records of cleaning and disposal for inspection.
• Train Employees: Ensure staff understand proper F.O.G. handling and disposal. • Scrape Food Waste: Remove food waste from plates, pots, pans, and cooking equipment before washing.
• Wipe Before Washing: Wipe down greasy equipment and surfaces before placing them in sinks or dishwashers.
• Collect Fryer Oil Properly: Store fryer oil and grill scrapings in designated F.O.G. collection containers.
• Wash Responsibly: Wash floor mats and greasy equipment only in sinks connected to an approved grease control device.
• Use Certified Haulers: Dispose of liquid grease through certified haulers and keep documentation of all pickups and disposals.
By following these practices now, you will help protect the City’s wastewater system, reduce maintenance costs, and avoid potential enforcement actions under existing City Code.
For questions or guidance on grease interceptor maintenance, please contact the Point Arena Wastewater Treatment Plant at 707-882-2700 or [email protected], or City Hall at 707-882-2122 or [email protected].
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping Point Arena’s wastewater system efficient and our community clean.
Sincerely,
City of Point Arena – City Hall
CITY OF POINT ARENA
451 School St. | PO Box 67 | Point Arena, CA 95468
(707) 882-2122 | pointarena.ca.gov
November 13, 2025
Help Point Arena Wastewater Treatment Plant Survive Another Winter Dear Resident,
The City of Point Arena is asking for your help to protect our wastewater system during the upcoming winter months and beyond.
Heavy rain and atmospheric river events place extra strain on the Point Arena Wastewater Treatment Plant. During large storms, the plant must handle not only normal household wastewater but also large amounts of stormwater that enter the collection system.
You can help the treatment plant weather the winter by:
• Reducing water use during major rain events.
• Delaying large water-using tasks—such as laundry, long showers or baths, or multiple dishwasher loads—until after a storm passes.
• Checking for leaks or running toilets, which can add unnecessary flow to the system.
Even small efforts from each household make a big difference when everyone participates. These simple actions help prevent system overflows and keep the plant running efficiently through the wet season.
Planning for the Future
The City is currently in the process of planning and sourcing funding to replace the aging sewer system. These upgrades are essential to ensure long-term reliability and compliance with environmental standards. In the meantime, community cooperation— especially during heavy storms—is vital to help the system function as effectively as possible until improvements can be made.
Preventing Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.) Buildup
In addition to storm impacts, the Wastewater Treatment Plant has seen a steady increase in fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) in recent years. Grease buildup in the collection system and treatment process is difficult and costly to remove, can cause clogs and backups, and ultimately increases maintenance costs and sewer fees for everyone.
F.O.G. might seem harmless when rinsed down the drain, but it solidifies as it cools— creating blockages that affect both household plumbing and City pipes.
You can help by following these simple steps at home:
1. Scrape and Wipe: Before washing, scrape food scraps and wipe grease from pots, pans, and dishes with a paper towel.
2. Trash It: Throw paper towels and food scraps in the garbage—not the sink.
3. Cool and Contain: Let cooking grease cool and solidify. Then pour it into a sealable container and place it in the trash.
4. Never Pour F.O.G. Down Drains: Avoid pouring grease, oil, or fatty foods into sinks, garbage disposals, or toilets.
5. Use Sink Strainers: Catch food particles before they go down the drain and throw them in the garbage.
6. Rinse Smart: A final rinse with cold water helps solidify any leftover grease so it can be caught by a strainer before dishwashing.
7. Protect Your Plumbing: Only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed.
All other items should be disposed of in the trash or recycling.
Working Together
By conserving water during storms and keeping grease out of drains, we can protect our wastewater system, reduce costs, and help the Point Arena Wastewater Treatment Plant survive another winter. Together, we’ll keep Point Arena’s water clean and our community’s infrastructure strong.
For questions or guidance on grease interceptor maintenance, please contact the Point Arena Wastewater Treatment Plant at 707-882-2700 or [email protected], or City Hall at 707-882-2122 or [email protected].
Thank you for doing your part.
Kindly,
City Hall
Facility Name:_________________________________________________________________ Location of Grease Trap:_______________________________________________________ Grease Trap/Interceptor
Maintenance Log
CLEANING DATE CLEANED BY GALLONS
REMOVED
DISPOSAL METHOD REMARKS