Christchurch City CouncilWhat are the trade waste requirements for grease traps?

These notes apply to all options: • It is the owner/operator’s responsibility to ensure no fat, oil or grease is discharged to the sewer. • It is important that the installation of a grease trap is considered for installation at the time that consents for foundations and similar ground work are being approved (especially if a staged building consent). • All discharges to the sewer are to be registered with the Christchurch City Council. An application to discharge is available from www.ccc.govt.nz/tradewaste or from any Council Service Centre. • Trade waste sampling points and method of flow measurement is to be agreed to with Christchurch City Council • A catch basket is to be installed to prevent solids from entering the sewer.

What can I do to assist the building consent application

Provide information as follows: • Location of the premises (to assess the cumulative effect of discharges to the sewer). • Location of the grease trap for access/maintenance, etc. • Provide a copy of the menu to assess the grease discharge levels (especially for restaurants, cafes, takeaways, etc). • A list of foods that are being processed on food premises including kitchens and butcheries (to assess fat, oil and grease discharge levels). • Details of methods of cooking. • Is a commercial or domestic dishwasher installed? (if so, specify make and model) • Is a glass washer installed? (if so, specify make and model) • An assessment of the volume of discharge is to be made by the applicant. • Number of seats in the restaurant are to be provided. • Opening hours. • A full plumbing and drainage plan is to be provided.

Refer to our schedule of Christchurch City Council charges, visit www.ccc.govt.nz/council/feescharges

Application for registration of trade waste discharge is available at www.ccc.govt.nz/tradewasteor at any City Council Service Centre.

Where to find out the cost that applies to the discharge

What you need to know about

grease traps

For further information please contact:Christchurch City CouncilPO Box 73014Christchurch Mail CentreChristchurch 8154 Phone: (03) 941 8999Fax: (03) 941 8384 Email: waste@ccc.govt.nz Visit: www.ccc.govt.nz/tradewaste

Contact details

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Why is a grease trap needed?

• Fat, oil and grease forms greasy solids in our sewers thereby reducing the sewer capacity.

• Fat, oil and grease accumulates in pumping stations. When mixed with other material present in sewage, it creates blockages and pump failure.

• Fat, oil and grease is a cause of overflows of sewer drains into our streams and rivers.

• Fat, oil and grease reduces the efficiency of sewage treatment and the quality of effluent being discharged into the environment.

Who needs to install a grease trap?

All premises likely to discharge fat, oil and grease such as:• All commercial premises engaged in the cooking

and preparation or sale of food (eg restaurants, takeaways, hospitals, hotels, bakeries, butcheries, and supermarkets) are required to install and regularly maintain an adequately sized grease trap.

What type of grease traps can be used?

Grease Management System

Situation Size Comments

In-ground grease trap

• Acceptable in all situations (installation is compulsory for new commercial developments)

500 litres minimum in all situations. A larger size may be required as per the seating occupancy (NZ Building Code section G13AS2.)

• Must be regularly serviced

• Trade waste registration is required

• Dish wash wastewater is to discharge through the grease trap

• Garbage Grinders must not be used

• Floor waste traps must discharge through the grease trap

• All sinks must be fitted with a solids capture basket

Other system that is not an in-ground grease trap

All other grease management systems require pre-approval from the Council before installation.

How is the grease trap installed?

In-ground Grease Trap

Christchurch City Council approved grease traps

• NZBC-G13AS2 type inground grease trap.• Mactrap moulded plastic grease trap. • Humes Interceptors.• Any other type of grease trap will only be considered in

exceptional circumstances and must be pre-approved.

• Drainage alterations are involved so a Building Consent will be required.

• You need to be registered (with Council) to discharge to the sewer. This registration of discharge may also require a Management Plan approved by Council. To obtain consent apply online at www.ccc.govt.nz/tradewaste

When installing a grease trap