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The Industrial Pretreatment (IP) group develops educational programs for commercial customers to assist them in preventing problems caused by industrial waste such as pollution, clogged pipes and sewer system overflows (SSOs).
JEA’s successful IP program was recognized in October 2007 by the Environmental Protection Agency with the Clean Water Act Recognition Award for having the best large IP program in the nation.
One example of IP’s award-winning approach is the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) reduction program for food service establishments. The FOG program is a national model of best management practices that has reduced SSOs caused by restaurant grease blockages by more than 50 percent.
Although IP is tasked with enforcing regulations, the group starts first by partnering with commercial customers and grease haulers. “Our preferred mode is education and collaboration,” said Dan Parnell, Industrial Pretreatment manager.
Instead of employing an army of inspectors to ensure our 2,300-plus food service customers pump fats, oil and grease on a regular basis before they are deposited in JEA’s sewer system; IP has developed a report and database system. The reporting system alerts IP to the few restaurants that consistently exceed FOG limits.
Grease haulers were consulted in the design of the program, and those who perform well are rewarded with a greater share of business. Shifting the regulatory burden from food service establishments to haulers got restaurants positively engaged in the process. The result? FOG program compliance increased from 20 to 80 percent. |
