Compliance
in the
state of
Florida
regarding
wastewater
all
flows downhill
from
the
EPA
(Environmental
Protection
Agency)
to the
FDEP
(Florida
Department
of Environmental
Protection)
who puts
pressure
on the
local
cities
and
counties
to enforce
their
regulations.
The city
and state
inspectors
are forced
to keep
restaurant
owners,
property
management
companies,
etc. to
keep in
compliance
regarding
their
grease
traps,
lift
stations,
stormwater
systems,
etc. They
do this
by requiring
hauling
manifests
(see below)
for all
wastewater
removed
from the
wastewater
collection
systems
and they
require
these
systems
to be
cleaned
on a regular
basis.
If
they do
not receive
a
manifest,
then they
serve
a warning
or levy
a
fine.
The inspectors
also make
surprise
visits
and
can tell
by taking
samples
if
a system
component
has not
been cleaned
timely
enough
or correctly.
They correct
this with
warnings
and fines,
as
well.
The
intent
of all
of
these
agencies
is to
protect
the human
and environmental
health
and safety
of
Florida.
If executed
correctly
and efficiently
it will
do just
that,
but some
counties
and cities
do not
currently
enforce
the regulations,
so requirements
vary from
county
to county
or
city to
county.
Manifests
Hauler
manifests
are reporting
forms
issued
by individual
city or
county
enforcement
agencies
for contractors
to use
to report
all
wastewater
removed
from
the collection
system,
private
or public.
When grease
traps
are installed
they are
added
to
a list
that the
enforcing
agency
works
from.
The
new establishment
will be
given
a certain
time period
to have
a licensed
hauling
contractor
under
agreement
to service
their
system.
Then the
enforcing
agency
will
expect
regular
manifests
to be
sent to
them
with
details
about
the event
such
as how
many gallons
were pumped,
where
the
wastewater
was disposed of,
and the
condition
of the
tank.
If a manifest
is not
sent
in on
time the
agency
will make
a visit
or
send a
warning
letter
to
come into
compliance
immediately,
or they
may levee
a fine.
Grease
traps
are
typically
required
to
be pumped
every
3
months,
under-the-sink
grease
traps
every
week,
and
lift
stations
are
required
to be
inspected
every
month
though all
this
may
vary
per
location
and
condition
of the
system.
