New regulations to be brought in to control disposal of grease

Date Published: 25-Feb-2013

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Galway City Council is currently drawing up criteria for a new licensing scheme covering all city food outlets and restaurants for the disposal of grease – including the possibility of a ‘sliding scale’ of charges, depending on the size of the premises.

The new ‘FOG’ licence (fats, oils and grease) is expected to be introduced later this year in an attempt by the local authority to combat the growing problem of blocked sewers in the city centre.

Every premises in Galway City which serves hot food – from restaurants and bars down to deli counters in filling stations – will be required to have a licence.

And any outlet found not to comply with the new system will face stiff penalties.

The Council has said that fats, oils and grease were a contributory factor to the flash flooding in the city last month.

A spokesperson for the Council said: “It’s an ongoing issue in the city, so a new regime is to be introduced later in the year. There is anecdotal evidence at the moment that some of the flooding that occurred was down to the build-up of material in drains that was quite greasy.

“A monitoring scheme has already been introduced in the Dublin City Council area, where you pay a licence fee to register for a disposal scheme.

“It’s about ensuring proper grease traps have been put in, and a regime for cleaning those out. Any food-producing outlet in the city – whether it’s a restaurant or a corner shop selling chips – will have to get a licence,” the spokesperson said.

He said the scheme was still being drawn up by the Council, and it was too early to say whether a ‘sliding scale’ of charges will be implemented, or the full workings of the scheme.

However, a private contractor is expected to run the scheme, and will involve regular inspections.

There are already estimates that the problem with the city’s sewers would cost around €40 million to rectify.

Last month, a heavy downpour caused serious flooding on Shop Street, Flood Street, Cross Street, Merchant’s Road, Quay Street and at the Spanish Arch.

The Council’s Director of Services for Infrastructure, Ciarán Hayes said that FOG was a contributory factor to the flooding, and pointed out that it is responsible for blocking thousands of sewers around the country each year, at a cost of millions to the taxpayer.