Georgia Septic Installer Practice Test

What is the criteria for needing a grease trap to treat wastewater?

1. When grease content exceeds 10 mg/l

2. When the grease content is in excess of 50 mg/l

3. When the grease content is below 70 mg/l

4. When wastewater odor is detectable

The correct answer is: When the grease content is in excess of 50 mg/l

A grease trap is required primarily to intercept and eliminate fats, oils, and greases from wastewater before it enters the sewage system. The correct answer, which indicates that a grease trap is necessary when the grease content exceeds 50 mg/l, aligns with regulatory standards aimed at preventing grease build-up in sewer lines that can cause blockages and ultimately lead to system failures. The threshold of 50 mg/l is set because this level is recognized as one that can lead to problems if the grease is not taken out of the wastewater. By installing a grease trap, facilities that generate greasy wastewater, like restaurants and food processing establishments, help maintain the integrity of the wastewater treatment system and minimize environmental impacts. In contrast, lower levels of grease, such as those below this threshold, are less likely to cause significant issues, which justifies the need for a grease trap only when surpassing the specified limit. Detectable odor alone does not provide a reliable measure of grease content, as it might not correspond to grease levels that would necessitate a grease trap; hence, that criterion is less significant in regulating grease management.