At a vital crossroads of major transport routes, Texarkana, Texas, hums with activity. Home to around 65,000 residents, this bustling hub is more than just a transportation nexus. With its sprawling FedEx terminals and a robust aluminum processing plant, Texarkana thrives on a diverse economy that spans retail, agriculture, and heavy industry. For a city with such a dynamic profile, managing wastewater effectively is not just a necessity but a cornerstone of maintaining both infrastructure and environmental health.
The story of Texarkana’s Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) program begins in the 1980s. In its early days, the program was reactive, tackling problems as they arose. Grease waste from local restaurants often led to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), which prompted a series of urgent responses. However, as the years passed, the city recognized the need for a more proactive approach.
The city's FOG program had transformed significantly. No longer just a reactive measure, the program now embraced modern technology and a proactive stance. They handle 450 FSEs with a 10% annual increase. The focus had shifted to a blend of education, enforcement, and cutting-edge grease waste management practices.
This evolution brought about several key benefits for Texarkana. At the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), lower grease loads translated into reduced operational costs. The frequency of SSOs saw a noticeable decline, easing pressure on the city’s infrastructure. Moreover, improved maintenance and tracking has reduced costs associated with the collection system, and ongoing enhancements extended the life of the city’s aging pipelines.
Texarkana's FOG program is a beacon of best practices and innovation. One of its standout features is its approach to improving compliance among food service establishments (FSEs). Through regular inspections and educational outreach, the city has significantly boosted adherence to FOG regulations. Mandatory waste manifest submissions have further strengthened this compliance.
Another hallmark of the program is its rigorous policy on fixture connectivity. Ensuring that all fixtures and drains are connected to grease interceptors is a priority, verified through meticulous building plan reviews. The city also collaborates closely with other jurisdictions, sharing best practices and exploring options like a preferred pumper program, all while maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders.
Texarkana’s commitment to modernization is evident in its efforts to update FOG ordinances. The city is actively revising its regulations to incorporate the latest technology and address emerging challenges like FOG from residential areas. This includes ensuring that outdated systems are updated during renovations or ownership changes.
Tracking and measuring the success of the FOG program is a crucial aspect of Texarkana’s strategy. Although the city uses Linko data management software, it has faced challenges with the software’s support system. As a result, some manual tracking is employed. Despite these hurdles, the program effectively monitors metrics such as WWTP operational costs, maintenance expenses, and SSO frequency. Regular inspections and cleaning reports help address potential FOG hot spots before it becomes an SSO.
Texarkana has faced its share of challenges. Staffing and resource allocation have been key concerns, with a dedicated three-member FOG team managing the program's demands. Communication barriers have also posed difficulties, particularly in keeping restaurants informed about compliance due to frequent contact changes and staff turnover. The city has addressed this by using traditional mail for critical communications. Additionally, updating ordinances has been a slow process, but Texarkana remains committed to enhancing program effectiveness.
Looking to the future, Texarkana aims to further refine its FOG program. The city plans to boost business participation in waste manifest submissions and improve tracking and enforcement practices. Exploring FOG management for multifamily housing is also on the agenda, though this remains a complex endeavor, they are looking at other municipalities with a similar ordinance to use as guidelines.
“Maintenance is essential if the grease trap is to function properly. Maintenance starts in the kitchen with housekeeping, simple actions such as discarding solid waste in the garbage can instead of washing into the sink, scraping dishes before washing, and assuring employees properly dispose waste cooking oil into specifically designated waste cooking oil containers. Waste oil should never be discharged into any drain. Maintenance includes cleaning the trap as often as necessary to assure the efficient removal of grease. State and local regulations require "total evacuation" of the contents of the trap, that is, the grease, water and solids are removed by a licensed and permitted transporter and no materials are returned to the trap. The trap should be inspected each time it is cleaned.”
In conclusion, Texarkana’s FOG program stands as a testament to the power of proactive wastewater management. Through a combination of education, technology, and diligent oversight, the city has made significant strides in reducing costs, minimizing overflows, and extending infrastructure lifespan. By sharing its experiences and best practices, Texarkana hopes to inspire other municipalities to enhance their own FOG programs, paving the way for more sustainable and effective wastewater management practices.
David, an Environmental Engineer, is the program’s dedicated contact. For any queries, David can be reached at: DAVID.WALDROUP@TXKUSA.ORG