Irish Water’s Trade Effluent License can be a big deal. Many Irish foodservice startups we’ve worked with used the word “stressful” more than once. For some new owners who took over an existing commercial kitchen, even if the system was compliant before, their existing license was revoked, and they needed a new application. For those who took over an establishment as the license requirements were made more stringent, they discovered the existing system was no longer compliant. Many established vendors also had to revise their systems. For those trying to sort out the application themselves, it can feel like a fate worse than both death and taxes combined! We provide free advise for everyone— even those who want to go it alone. And there are plenty of reasons why we’d advise getting professional assistance. Take this excerpt from Irish Water’s Wastewater Code of Practice (which is also a part of their Self Lay Agreements):
Trade Effluent from commercial food preparation areas is subject to Trade Effluent
Licensing, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Water Pollution)
Act (1977 – 1990). Such discharges shall discharge to a suitably sized and
manufactured grease trap, designed in accordance with IS EN 1825, prior to discharge
of the Wastewater to the Works. Full details of the grease trap, including details of the
proposed maintenance regime, shall be submitted to and agreed with Irish Water’s
Wastewater Source Control and Licencing (WWSCL) unit. These details shall include
design loading of the grease trap, grease trap capacity, etc. Compliance with guidance
as set out in the Water Services Training Group Fat, Oil and Grease (FOG) Guidance
Document and Irish Water’s policy is required in respect of FOG control.
And that’s not even getting into measurements or the fitting of Grease Recovery Units on all kitchen sinks. This, combined with applications to Irish Water, can be a stress for any business. Especially when trying to manage costs. Many of our clients contacted us having spent hours trying to get their heads around the intricacies and design standard requirements of their grease trap system. But even after getting clarity, they discovered that reaching compliance would be tricky given their small-sized kitchen with large FOG outputs. We don’t advise trying to do all your own research in this area — because you don’t have to. And you probably have bigger fish to fry in your food business!
Escape the Grease Trap
Our team specialises in commercial GRU and grease trap installations. This includes everything, from working out the volume calculations that ensure compliance, to servicing, installing and repairing. New regulations are a real issue for smaller kitchens. Some businesses we have worked discovered after the fact that their existing kitchen setup was no longer compliant with updated regulations — and they didn’t have the space to upgrade with a compliant system. We have been researching this issue and have come across new technologies and systems. These allow for new possibilities that can help reduce the space you require of a trap — so you have more space to focus on the most important things in your business.
If you’re unsure about any aspect of your trade effluent license, feel free to give us a call today on 1800 437 246. We’ll be happy to chat over the phone, and if we think it’ll help, we’ll offer to stop by and give you a consultation. There’s no cost, and at the very least it’ll help you get clarity on where you stand and exactly what you need to do.
