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CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
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MASSACHUSETTS 01060 • J,.rL.'
JOHN T JOYCE:Chairman
ANNEBURLS,M.D. 210 MAIN STREET
CYNTHIA DOURMASHKIN,R.N. OFFICE OF THE 01060
PETER 1.McERLA IN,Health Agent BOARD OF HEALTH (413)586-6950 Ext 213
February 13, 1997
TO:
Tully McColgan Martin Carrera
Hot Harry's Pizzeria La Veracruzona
21 Main Street 31 Main Street
Northampton,MA 01060 Northampton,MA 01060
Fred Gohr Daniel Workman
Fitzwitly's Restaurant Jake's Emporium
23 Main Street 17 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060 Northampton,MA 01060
Gentlemen:
There is an ongoing sewage backuptblockage problem occurring in the sewer line in"Bank Alley"which
runs from King Street,between Jake's and Silverscape Design,to the rear of Fitzwilly's. The Department
of Public Works Sewer Division has recently had to clean that line with a"Jet Rod Machine"on a biweekly
basis to prevent serious sewage backups.A video check indicates that there are no structural defects in that
line.The blockages are being caused by a heavy accumulation of grease in that sewer line.
This letter will serve as a warning notice to each restaurant connected into that`Bank Alley"sewer line,
concerning the responsibility to properly dispose of grease.As is indicated in the attached excerpts of the
City's Sewer Use Ordinance,Section 22,states,in-part,that no individual,firm,corporation,or association
shall discharge... grease,oils,etc, into the city sewer system.Grease Traps must be installed and
maintained when,in the opinion of the City Engineer,such equipment is necessary to insure proper
handling/disposal of wastes containing greases and other harmful substances.
The disposal of grease via the sewer system,whether as a result of the tack of a grease trap or the improper
maintenance of a grease trap, is a violation of the City's Sewer Use Ordinance and is subject to fine. In
addition,any conditions which cause sewage to backup into an adjacent property is a public health
nuisance which must be abated.
Please review the status of your establishment's grease handling system to insure that you are in
compliance. Representatives of the City will be contacting you in the near future to set up an inspection of
the grease handling system in your establishment.
?:i6-
Thank you, in advance,for your anticipated cooperation.
Please contact the Department of Public Works or the Board of Health with any questions concerning this
matter.
Very truly yours,
410%2 / anis
Peter J. -cErlain,Agent Sam Brin is,Director
Board of Health Department of Public Works
PJMcE
Cert. Mail p P 061 775 835
cc: Mayor Mary L.Ford
Northampton Board of Public Works
Northampton W WTF Superintendent George Brehm
Northampton Building Inspector Tony Patillo
GREASE AND OIL AS REFERENCED IN THE NORTHAMPTON SEWER USE
ORDINANCE
SECTION 22. 41 DEFINITIONS
Def. ( 33 ) "Oil and Grease" shall mean any material (animal ,
vegetable, or hydrocarbon) which is extractable from an
acidified sample of waste by freon or other designated
solvent and as determined by the appropriate standard
procedure.
SECTION 22 .43 USE OF PUBLIC SEWERS
( 3 ) . . .A user may not contribute the following substances to
any POTW:
b) Petroleum oil , nonbiodegradable cutting oil , or products
of mineral oil origin in amounts that will cause interference
or pass through.
e ) Solid or viscous substances which cause obstruction to
the flow in a sewer or other interference with the operation
of the wastewater treatment facilities such as , but not
limited to: grease , garbage with particles greater than one-
half inch in any dimension, animal guts or tissues , paunch
manure, bones, hair, hides or fleshing entrails, whole blood ,
feathers, ashes, cinders, sand, spent lime, stone or marble
dust , metal , glass, straw, shavings , grass clippings, rags ,
spent grains , spent hops , waste paper, wood, plastics , gas,
tar, asphalt residues, residues from refining , or processing
of fuel or lubrication oil , mud , or glass grinding or
polishing wastes .
( 4 ) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the
following described substances . . .
b) Any water or waste containing fats , wax, grease , or oils ,
whether emulsified or not, in excess of one hundred mg/L or
containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at
temperatures between thirty-two ( 32 ) and one hundred fifty
( 150 ) degrees Fahrenheit, and zero ( 0 ) and sixty-five ( 65 )
degrees Celsius .
Page 2
6. Grease , oil and sand interceptors shall be provided when,
in the opinion of the Superintendent, they are necessary for
the proper handling of liquid wastes containing grease in
excessive amounts, or any flammable wastes, sand, or other
harmful ingredients ; except that such interceptors shall not
be required for private living quarters or dwelling units.
All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by
the Superintendent, and shall be located as to be readily and
easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
SECTION 22 . 57 INTERCEPTORED AND SEPARATED MATERIAL
Upon request by the Superintendent , a User having an
interceptor or separator must state specifically how the
waste oil , grease, solvent, paint , etc . is disposed of and
must provide evidence of such disposal service when required
by the Superintendent. Records and receipts must be kept
which demonstrate that these waste material were contained
and transported in a safe manner as prescribed by the rules
of regulatory agencies, including , but not limited to the
U. S. Department of Transportation, and handled by' reputable
persons who shall dispose of all such wastes in accordance
with all federal , state, and local regulations .