FAQs

Will my food service establishment be inspected?: Yes. Soon after your facility begins operations, an SMWD FOG Inspector will conduct an inspection of your facility to assist you with your understanding of the Program. Routine FOG inspections are then conducted on a regular basis to ensure continued compliance with the FOG Program rules and regulations.

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FOG Program

1. Will my food service establishment be inspected?: Yes. Soon after your facility begins operations, an SMWD FOG Inspector will conduct an inspection of your facility to assist you with your understanding of the Program. Routine FOG inspections are then conducted on a regular basis to ensure continued compliance with the FOG Program rules and regulations.

A Gravity Grease Interceptor is required if your establishment is:

a newly constructed food service establishment;
an existing food service establishment undergoing a change in ownership;
an existing food establishment undergoing a change in operations; or
an existing food service establishment undergoing a remodel that includes under-slab plumbing, increased seating, increased kitchen area, or changes to the size or type of food preparation equipment.

3. What size Gravity Grease Interceptor is required?: Gravity Grease Interceptor sizing is based on the drainage fixture units (DFU) connected to the Gravity Grease Interceptor, pursuant to the current California Plumbing Code (CPC). In most cases an architect, plumbing engineer, or plumbing contractor can assist with determining the necessary Gravity Grease Interceptor size. You may consult this Grease Interceptor sizing sheet.

4. Does the Santa Margarita Water District allow garbage disposals or food grinder usage?: No. Garbage disposals or food grinders are not allowed in food service establishments.

5. Which fixtures/drains are required to be connected to the Gravity Grease Interceptor?: All potential grease bearing fixtures and drains (cooking equipment drains, pot sinks, 3-comp sinks, mop sinks, dishwasher pre-rinse sinks, prep sinks, floor sinks, or floor drains) in the food preparation, cooking, and cleanup areas of the facility are required to be connected to the Gravity Grease Interceptor.

6. Which fixtures/drains should not be connected to the Gravity Grease Interceptor?: Drainage from automatic dishwashers or restrooms should not be connected to the Gravity Grease Interceptor. Note: the dishwasher pre-rinse sink must be connected to the Gravity Grease Interceptor.

7. Are there any special configuration requirements for the Gravity Grease Interceptor?: The Gravity Grease Interceptor configuration must provide access for maintenance and inspection of the inlet, outlet and baffle tees and should include a sample box. Depending on the Gravity Grease Interceptor size and manufacturer, the Gravity Grease Interceptor may require three (3) access openings (excluding the sample box) to provide the required access. You should consult with you interceptor manufacturer to identify a Gravity Grease Interceptor configuration that meets these requirements.