Best Practice Guidelines for Stormwater Pollution Prevention
RESTAURANTS AND
FOOD OUTLETS
MANAGING WASH WATER
I
Contents
SECTION
PAGE
Introduction
2
What you need to know
3
Stormwater and wastewater know the difference
4
Cleaning inside and outside areas
5
Grease trap maintenance
6
Waste management
7
Spill prevention and spill response
8
Staff training
9
Handling cooking oil, fat and grease
10
A few tips for saving money and
preventing pollution
11
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Information in this book is correct at the time of publication
April 2011
MANAGING WASH WATER
1
INTRODUCTION
If your day to day activity involves:
 food preparation
 food processing
AN KILL
C
E
T
S
A
W
D
FOO
OVING
FISH BY REM
M THE
OXYGEN FRO
WATER
 handling of food products
 or handling or disposal of food waste
…then your business has the potential to pollute the environment.
This booklet gives you important information on ways you can reduce the risk of causing pollution.
How can restaurants or food outlets
cause pollution?
Waste from food preparation, processing, cleaning
and spills can discharge into the stormwater system and
then into our streams, rivers, harbour and sea.
Contaminants from restaurants or food outlets
might include:

detergents

caustic cleaners

packaging or plastic wrap

fresh or waste oil

fats and grease

food or beverage processing waste

food scraps
It is illegal to discharge contaminants into stormwater
drains, waterways or the sea. You can be fined for causing
pollution and even sent to jail for serious cases. Fines can
be as high as $600,000 for companies and $300,000 for
an individual.
2
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
How can food waste cause pollution?
Stormwater drains lead straight to waterways.
When waste water gets into the stormwater system, it
can directly affect animals and plants. Oily films can build
up on surface waters which limits sunlight and oxygen.
This makes it difficult for plants to get energy and for
animals to breathe and find food.
As food breaks down it uses up oxygen in the water and
this can suffocate aquatic life. If products like cooking oil
and milk end up in streams the effect on fish and eels can
be devastating. Food waste discharges into waterways
can also have serious impacts on human health.
What you need to know:

You can be fined for causing pollution.

It is not okay to wash food containers or
equipment “out the back” with wash water
entering stormwater drains.

Food waste should never be tipped or washed
down stormwater drains.

Washing with water only will still produce
contaminated wash water.

Waste food oil must be stored in a covered and
bunded area to contain spills.

It is not okay to wash down your restaurant floor
or yard without containing the wash water.

Not cleaning out your grease trap regularly can
cause sewer overflows into the harbour.

The polluter pays – If you are not prepared to protect
the environment then you shouldn’t be in the business.
A spill of chemical cleaner is washed down
the nearest stormwater drain.
Biodegradable Detergents?
Although “biodegradable” or “eco friendly” detergents
are designed to break down quickly in water, the initial
impact on waterways will be as harmful as with any
other detergent. Biodegradable does not mean
environmentally friendly!
Some of the hundreds of eels killed as a result
of this spill.
"BIODE
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MANAGING WASH WATER
3
1.
STORMWATER AND WASTEWATER – KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!
The stormwater and wastewater systems are two separate networks of pipes. Stormwater pipes are for rain only and drain
to the sea. Wastewater pipes are for sewage and flow to the treatment plant. You need to know which drains are which!
Stormwater
Water that runs off the land when it rains is called
stormwater. It is water that has washed off roofs, roads,
driveways, yards, parks, streets, industrial areas and car
parks. Almost all outside drains and grates are for clean
rainwater only. Anything that washes into stormwater
drains flows directly into our streams and harbour without
treatment.
Stormwater drains like this take rainwater to the sea.
Wastewater
Waste from sinks, toilets, showers etc. in residential
houses and commercial sites, and wastewater from
industrial plant processing is dirty and must be treated.
Most inside drains flow to the sewage treatment plant.
Wastewater flows through the sewer system to the
sewage treatment plant before being treated. Treated
wastewater is discharged into the sea and treated solids
are disposed of to landfill.
Waste water from sinks, toilets and showers needs to be treated.
You and your staff must know which drains lead where.
Having a site drainage plan on display is a good way of identifying different types of drains easily. Labeling stormwater
drains with metal dolphins or “stormwater only” stencils is also good practice.
4
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
2.
CLEANING INSIDE AREAS
Wash water from cleaning interior floors and equipment
e.g. rubbish bins, floor mats, filters etc will contain
traces of fats and oils, cleaning chemicals and other
contaminants.


Capture all wash water in internal sinks or drains
which discharge to the sewage system via a grease
trap. This wastewater must not run off into the street
or discharge into the stormwater system.
Bin being washed with wash water flowing straight into stormwater drains.
Equipment must not be taken outside for cleaning.
If you hire a company to clean your grills, exhaust hoods,
vents or fans make sure the company does not discharge
any wastes to the stormwater system.
3.
CLEANING OUTSIDE AREAS
Cleaning of exterior hardstand areas e.g. pavements, car
parking areas and cleaning of exterior walls and roofs can
result in pollution of our harbour.
DO NO
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FLOOR OSE DOWN
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AREAS
A
UNLES RD
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COLLE
CT THE U
WASH
WATER
Hose or pressure washing dislodges pollutants like paint,
oils and dirt. These pollutants can be washed down into
stormwater catchpits and into waterways which ultimately
discharge into the harbour.
Sweep
parking lots and other paved areas periodically
to remove debris and litter. Dispose of all material in
the rubbish.

If outdoor cleaning with detergent is required, all wash
water must be collected for disposal in indoor sinks
or drains which discharge to the sanitary sewer (trade
waste) via a grease trap. This wastewater must not
run off into the street or discharge into the stormwater
system.

If using a commercial cleaning company you must
ensure they do not cause pollution.
Soapy wash water draining straight into a stream.
MANAGING WASH WATER
5
4.
GREASE TRAP MAINTENANCE
Do you have a grease trap? If your food premise deals
with fats or oils you are required to have a grease trap
which is designed to prevent oil and grease entering the
sewer network.
If fats, oils or grease are washed into the sewer network
blockages can occur which may result in raw sewage
overflowing into your business and the harbour.

Protect the sanitary sewer from blockages by cleaning
grease traps regularly. Grease traps require more
frequent cleaning during busy periods.

If a blockage in the sewer system is traced to your
property, you may have to pay for the clean-up.

All staff should know how the grease trap operates
and how often it requires cleaning out.

Keep records of cleaning as you may be required to
provide these to Council.
Vacuum tanker – “sucker truck” used
to clean out grease traps.
All grease traps (including under bench units) require
cleaning and maintenance. They do not continue to
operate automatically. Many may require weekly or
monthly clean-outs. It is your responsibiltiy to ensure
your grease trap is maintained adequately.
Vacuuming out a grease trap.
D
APS NEE
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A
ALL GRE
LEANING
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REG
ENANCE
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AND
Under bench unit.
6
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
5.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Keeping a clean and organised work environment
will allow you more control in preventing pollutants
reaching the stormwater system. It is easier to
prevent contaminants entering stormwater than
removing them after the fact.

All bins should be locked or kept in a locked
enclosure to prevent illegal dumping.

Inspect all rubbish bins (interior and exterior)
periodically. All leaking bins should be repaired or
replaced to prevent discharge to the yard or floor
areas.

All exterior bins should be covered at all times to
prevent stormwater from entering them.

All bins should be located away from stormwater
catchpits.

Keep the area around your rubbish bins clean.

Never dispose of waste products, such as food
waste to stormwater drains.

Encourage recycling – have bins for this.
Liquid waste from a skip bin flowing into a stormwater drain.
Litter control

Provide an adequate number of rubbish bins for
your customers and employees.

Pick up litter and other wastes daily from outside
areas including stormwater grates.

Ensure any staff who smoke do not flick their
cigarette butts away.
Recycling bins in the wokplace.
Any rubbish or waste that is not cleaned up is likely
to be washed into stormwater drains and end up
polluting the harbour.
Flicked cigarette butts will wash into the harbour.
MANAGING WASH WATER
7
6.
SPILL PREVENTION AND
SPILL RESPONSE
If materials and wastes are not stored properly they can
end up being washed out by the rain and be carried into
the stormwater system.
Spill kit.

Store as few liquids outside as possible.

Ensure that your outside storage area is secure and
covered.

All liquids should be contained in a bunded area – this
means a containment tray, wall or tank to hold any
spill. Bunded areas should have a roof to prevent rain
water build-up.

Provide employees with a summary of spill clean-up
procedures and post at appropriate points throughout
the workplace – Council can provide your business
with spills posters if you would like these.

Provide detailed instructions for employees regarding
clean-up procedures, including how to handle fire and
explosions.

Have spill containment kits ready in case of a spill and
store kits in convenient locations.

Contain the spilled material to prevent it from reaching
stormwater drains.

Clean up any spills immediately using rags or any other
type of absorbent material contained in your spill kit.

If you must mop up a spill, dispose of mop washwater
in indoor sinks for discharge to the sanitary sewer.

Never hose spills away – this will wash pollutants
directly into the stormwater system.
Preventing spills means you can avoid costly clean-ups like this.
TION
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O
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COULD
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COMPA 000!
$600,
8
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
7.
STAFF TRAINING
Training is vital as employees are responsible for handling the
materials, operating and monitoring equipment, loading and
unloading hazardous materials and purchasing, storing and
transporting chemicals.

Designate a person responsible for implementation of all
of the recommendations in this booklet.

Ensure all employees understand about:
- Site layout and drainage.
- Potential sources of contamination.
- Proper inspection and maintenance of grease traps and stormwater catchpits.
- Whom to contact for correct disposal of wastes.
- Procedures for spill prevention, cleanup and response.
Do your staff know how to deal with spills?
Poorly trained staff can cost your business money, for example:
Staff at a restaurant didn't even know they had a grease trap.
It had not been cleaned in months and blocked up the sewer line.
The overflow shut the business for a day and cost them $2,700 to
clean-up.
DO Y
O
KNOW UR STAFF
HO
CLEA
N UP W TO
SPILL
S?
Do your staff know how your grease trap works?
Over-flow caused by blocked grease trap.
MANAGING WASH WATER
9
8. HANDLING COOKING
OIL, FAT AND GREASE
Ensure that adequate and secure storage is provided
for new cooking oil, used cooking oil and waste oil and
grease. Ensure that proper containers are used that will
not corrode, leak or overturn.
Overflowing waste oil drums.

Store all oils/grease in separate, covered containers.
All waste oil should be collected by a certified waste
oil contractor for appropriate disposal.

Waste oil drums must not be left with lids or bungs
open.

Ensure all waste oil is stored indoors or in a secure
area until collection to eliminate the potential for
accidental or deliberate spillage.
Bunding for oil barrels can be as simple as a stainless
steel tray with bars welded across it to support the drum
and allow it to be slid off for collection.
Waste fats and oils can be recycled. Council encourages
you to collect all waste oil and fat (even small quantities)
for recycling. Waste fat or oil should not be washed down
any drains.
Illegally dumped waste cooking fat.
The company responsible for the illegal dumping of waste
cooking fat (left), was fined $750 and had to pay $450 to
have the mess cleaned up.
IS YOUR OIL
EAN
STORAGE CL
AND TIDY?
10
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
9.
A FEW TIPS FOR SAVING
MONEY AND PREVENTING
POLLUTION
Save water:


Use waterless cleaning methods such as wiping
or sweeping up spills.
Ensure taps are not left running and check
for leaks.

Avoid running taps continuously during rinsing.

Install foot operated or sensor operated taps.

Ensure the dishwasher is full each time it is run.
Cleaning chemicals washed into
a stormwater drain.
Reduce waste entering grease traps:

Scrape leftover food thoroughly from plates and utensils into waste bins.

Recycle cooking oil – never pour it down sinks
or drains.

Do not use strong cleaners as this can dissolve
grease in traps and cause blockages further
down the sewer system.
Educate staff:

Train staff what they can and can't put down sinks.

Place signs, stickers or posters around the
premises to remind staff of best practice.

Ensure all staff can identify stormwater drains.

If outdoor cleaning with detergent is required, all
wash water must be collected for disposal in
indoor sinks or drains which discharge to the
sanitary sewer (trade waste) via a grease trap.
This wastewater must not run off into the street
or discharge into the stormwater system.

If using a commercial cleaning company you
must ensure they do notcause pollution.
Cleaning washwater in a local stream.
Poorly maintained grease traps can cause wastewater overflows that
affect our harbour.
MANAGING WASH WATER
11
Do your part and help prevent pollution.
Our harbour and wildlife are worth protecting!
Orca's Mother and calf in Tauranga Harbour - photo supplied by www.shanewasik.com
12
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
14
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION
Marathon 53878