Summary
Improper grease management and the lack of routine grease trap cleaning and grease interceptor pumping have led to a significant increase in non-compliance citations for restaurants throughout Westminster, California.
Westminster, California: Grease Trap & Interceptor Cleaning
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WESTMINSTER, CA: GREASE COMPANY
The substantial increase in sanitation sewer overflow has caused city inspectors in Southern California to observe food servicing establishments on best management practices. If you operate a restaurant or a type of food servicing establishment with a commercial kitchen, up keeping and ensuring that you follow the regulations regarding grease waste removal set by the local ordinance are met to prevent any citations or fines. Grease traps and grease interceptors are installed at businesses with commercial kitchen handling food or edible goods. The sizing of these units will vary base on the city requirements which can vary across the state. These plumbing equipment are mandatory to be pumped and cleaned to prevent fats, oils, grease, and food solids from entering the sanitary sewer lines. Most grease traps and grease interceptors are pumped every one to three months to prevent its content from exceeding 25%.
MCSD has partnered with John L. Hunter and Associates to conduct compliance inspections, providing both oversight and education to help businesses meet regulatory requirements. Establishments found out of compliance will be given a timeline to correct issues, with enforcement actions possible under District Ordinance No. 63.
These efforts support state wastewater regulations and reinforce MCSD’s commitment to protecting public health, infrastructure, and the environment.
Midway City Sanitary District Expands FOG Compliance Inspections
The Midway City Sanitary District (MCSD) is increasing enforcement of its Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program for food service establishments in Westminster and Midway City, California. The initiative aims to prevent sewer blockages, overflows, and environmental harm caused by improper grease disposal.
City of Westminster Grease Interceptor Requirements for Food Service Establishments
Food service establishments in the City of Westminster, California are required to properly maintain grease interceptors to comply with local FOG (fats, oils, grease, and solids) regulations and protect the public sewer system. City inspectors actively enforce these requirements to prevent sewer blockages, overflows, and environmental damage.
Mandatory Grease Trap Cleaning & Grease Interceptor Service Requirements
Grease interceptors must be maintained in efficient operating condition through regular inspection and complete removal of all contents.
25% Rule (Mandatory Servicing Frequency)
Food service establishments must immediately service their grease interceptor when the combined accumulation of FOG and solids exceeds 25% of the interceptor’s total designed hydraulic depth. Staying below this threshold ensures proper hydraulic retention time and effective FOG separation.
Minimum Cleaning Frequency
All grease interceptors must be fully cleaned at least once every six months, regardless of accumulation levels.
Quarterly Cleaning Requirement
Until a servicing frequency is established under the 25% Rule, grease interceptors must be fully pumped and cleaned on a quarterly basis.
Cleaning and Disposal Standards: Proper maintenance requires the complete removal of all contents, including wastewater, grease, floating materials, sludge, and solids. Partial pumping or skimming does not meet compliance standards.
All grease interceptor cleaning must be performed by a licensed professional waste hauler. All removed materials must be transported and disposed of off-site in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Prohibited Practices: During maintenance activities, accumulated grease and waste must not be allowed to enter any sewer lateral, public sewer system, storm drain, or public right of way. Discharging FOG, wastewater, or solids back into the sewer system is strictly prohibited and may result in enforcement action.
Inspection Guidance: City guidelines require grease interceptors to be inspected at least monthly to monitor accumulation levels and ensure compliance. Self-cleaning of grease interceptors is not recommended. FOG removal and routine maintenance should only be performed by approved professional service providers to ensure proper handling, disposal, and regulatory compliance.
GREASE PUMPING SERVICE IN WESTMINSTER
Proper grease trap and grease interceptor cleaning is mandatory for food service establishments in the City of Westminster, Orange County, California, to prevent contamination of the public sewer and sanitation system. Failure to comply with local grease management requirements may result in citations, fines, or additional enforcement actions that can disrupt business operations. Partnering with a qualified grease management company and maintaining accurate service records are essential to remaining compliant and avoiding costly shutdowns. Let The Grease Company help keep your business protected and in full compliance. Call us today at 888-697-8910.
KEEP YOUR FOOD SERVICING ESTABLISMENT IN COMPLIANT
Protect your food servicing establishment business with reliable grease trap cleaning you can count on. Our team of experts are here to assist you 24 hours a day.
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Westminster Grease Management Services
SummaryImproper grease management and the lack of routine grease trap cleaning and grease interceptor pumping have led to a significant increase in non-compliance citations for
WHAT IS A GREASE CONTROL DEVICE?
Grease Control Devices (GCDs), including grease traps and grease interceptors, are critical pretreatment systems required for all food service establishments. Their purpose is to capture fats, oils, grease, and food solids from kitchen wastewater before it enters the public sewer system, helping prevent blockages, sewer overflows, and environmental contamination.
GCDs work by slowing the flow of wastewater, allowing heavier solids to settle at the bottom while grease and oils rise to the surface for containment. Because these materials accumulate over time, regular servicing is essential to keep the device operating effectively. Without routine cleaning and maintenance, GCDs can fail, allowing grease to pass into the sewer system and leading to costly repairs, regulatory violations, and potential business disruptions.
Food service establishments are fully responsible for the proper operation, maintenance, and repair of their grease control devices. Regular professional servicing ensures compliance with local regulations, protects public infrastructure, and keeps businesses operating safely and efficiently.
TOP REASONS WHY GREASE TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS OVERFLOW
Grease traps and grease interceptors most commonly overflow due to lack of regular servicing and plumbing blockages. When fats, oils, grease, and food solids are not routinely removed, they accumulate inside the grease control device, reducing its effective capacity and restricting proper wastewater flow. As the device fills beyond its designed limits, wastewater has nowhere to go, resulting in backups, slow drainage, foul odors, and overflows into kitchens, floor drains, or surrounding areas.
Another major cause of failure is blocked or restricted inlet and outlet piping. Grease buildup in downstream plumbing can prevent wastewater from exiting the device efficiently, causing the grease trap or interceptor to surcharge and overflow even if the unit appears to have been recently serviced.
In addition, all internal components must be present and functioning properly for a grease control device to do its job. Missing or damaged components—such as inlet and outlet baffles, tees, flow control devices, or covers—allow grease and solids to bypass the system instead of being captured. Without these components in place, wastewater flows too quickly through the device, reducing retention time and leading to grease passing into the sewer system or causing premature overflows.
The Grease Company of Westminster, California
When it comes to grease management services in Westminster California The Grease Company stands above the competition. We provide reliable grease trap cleaning grease interceptor pumping and plumbing support with fast response times and service you can trust focused on the requirements of Westminster and surrounding Orange County cities.
Proper operation of grease control devices depends on routine professional cleaning clear plumbing lines and intact internal components. Regular inspections and maintenance help systems function as designed prevent costly overflows and keep food service establishments compliant with local FOG regulations while protecting the public sewer system.
Whether you need emergency service or scheduled preventative maintenance in Westminster and nearby Orange County communities our experienced team is ready to help. Call The Grease Company today at 888-697-8910 to learn more.
Client stories
What our clients say about our services
The service was not only quick but also thorough and professional. As a restaurant owner, I can’t stress enough how much I value their reliability and expertise.
Yama Mama
Riverside Restaurant Owner
The Grease Company was very responsive from my first call. Their prices were reasonable, and they cleaned my bakery’s grease trap within three business days.
Tracy and Francisco
Owner, Pacific Cuisine
I had an emergency overflow, contacted The Grease Co., and they were amazing- understood the urgency and stepped in to resolve my issue and save the day.
Ted Christos
Executive Chef, Sunset Resort
From the first phone call to the last, their can-do attitude was flawless. The staff went above and beyond to meet my deadlines- friendly, caring, and truly reliable.
Nash Jimenez
Manager, Downtown Diner
I had an emergency overflow and contacted TGC. They were amazing, understood the urgency, and immediately stepped in to handle everything.
Kim Pfister Rhodes
Long Beach Restaurant Owner
Best of the best, I had the best service from Grease comp. I had been calling to different companies. But Miko gave me the best service. THANK YOU! For everything.
Aracely Perez
Hollywood Restaurant Owner
The service was not only quick but also thorough and professional. As a restaurant owner, I can’t stress enough how much I value their reliability and expertise.
Yama Mama
Riverside Restaurant Owner
The Grease Company was very responsive from my first call. Their prices were reasonable, and they cleaned my bakery’s grease trap within three business days.
Tracy and Francisco
Owner, Pacific Cuisine
I had an emergency overflow, contacted The Grease Co., and they were amazing- understood the urgency and stepped in to resolve my issue and save the day.
Ted Christos
Executive Chef, Sunset Resort
From the first phone call to the last, their can-do attitude was flawless. The staff went above and beyond to meet my deadlines- friendly, caring, and truly reliable.
Yama Mama
Manager, Downtown Diner
I had an emergency overflow and contacted TGC. They were amazing, understood the urgency, and immediately stepped in to handle everything.
Kim Pfister Rhodes
Long Beach Restaurant Owner
Best of the best, I had the best service from Grease comp. I had been calling to different companies. But Miko gave me the best service. THANK YOU! For everything.
Aracely Perez
Hollywood Restaurant Owner
Fast, Reliable Grease Service When You Need
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