Goal Is to Curb the Amounts of Grease Being Disposed Into Wastewater System



TELLURIDE – To curb the amount of fats, oil and grease being disposed into Telluride’s wastewater treatment plant, restaurants in Telluride have a new set of grease-control regulations to follow, in the wake of an ordinance approved by Telluride Town Council earlier this month.

At its Aug. 7 meeting, council approved on third reading an ordinance amending the Telluride Municipal Code to incorporate the management of fats, oils and grease by restaurants, in an effort to protect Telluride’s wastewater system.

The ordinance, which took effect on Aug. 17, requires that every Telluride food service establishment installs, operates and maintains a grease control device. All restaurants lacking a grease control device, as stated in the ordinance, must install one whenever there is a change of ownership of the property or any issuance of a building permit for a remodel.

All grease control devices must be installed by a licensed plumber and, when possible, be located outside the restaurant and/or away from food preparation areas.

The ordinance mandates that grease control devices must be in place and properly maintained at all times – and be registered with the Telluride Public Works Department within 90 days of the ordinance’s approval (or upon the date of installation).

The Town Manager has the authority to make inspections to make sure grease-control devices are not only in place but operational; upon inspection, restaurants must show evidence of an active service contract, as well.

Telluride’s Municipal Code states that fryer oil must be collected every two weeks, at a minimum.

Drafting of the municipal code amendment has been in the works since April, 2011 and has been through a number of publicly noticed meetings.

Town staff has also worked with the San Miguel County Environmental Health Specialist to develop and distribute educational materials for food-service establishments about the wastewater distribution and treatment system’s problems caused by grease disposal.



Gjarvis@watchnewspapers.com or @gusgusj