Top Grease Trap Cleaning in Little Rock, Arkansas Ranked

For any restaurant or food service business in Little Rock, managing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) is a critical operational and legal responsibility. Proper grease trap and interceptor maintenance is not just about preventing clogs in your own kitchen; it's a mandated component of the city's wastewater management system designed to protect public infrastructure and the environment. The City of Little Rock has a specific FOG Ordinance (21801) enforced by Little Rock Wastewater (LRWRA) that sets strict standards for installation, maintenance, and record-keeping. Non-compliance can lead to significant fines, emergency plumbing costs, and operational disruptions. This guide outlines the essential knowledge for Little Rock food service establishments to ensure their grease management systems are effective, compliant, and cost-efficient.

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

9022 Landers Rd ste g, North Little Rock, AR 72117

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides comprehensive plumbing and water cleanup services in Little Rock, AR. They handle a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing needs, including grease trap cleaning, sewer line repair and replacement, drain cleaning, water heater maintenance, and emergency flood services. The company uses advanced plumbing technology and offers 24/7 emergency plumbing support to address urgent issues like burst pipes and sewer backups. With a history dating back to 1935, Roto-Rooter is experienced in both traditional and modern plumbing solutions, serving North Little Rock and surrounding counties with local expertise and specialized knowledge of the area's plumbing requirements.

4.8

1.7k Reviews

Ace Grease Service

Transfer Station, 232 Glenview Ln Little Rock, 232 Glenview Ln, North Little Rock, AR 72117

Ace Grease Service is a family-owned company based in Little Rock, AR, specializing in used cooking oil collection and grease trap cleaning. With over 31 years of experience, they serve restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and food manufacturing plants across nine states in the Midwest. The company collects and recycles used cooking oil into products like plastics, soaps, livestock feed, and biodiesel fuel. Ace Grease Service operates a fleet of modern trucks and equipment to provide these services efficiently.

5.0

9 Reviews

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Understanding Little Rock's FOG Ordinance & Compliance

At the heart of grease management in Little Rock is Ordinance 21801. This local law regulates the installation and maintenance of grease interceptors and traps to prevent FOG from entering the municipal sewer system ^{1 2}. Compliance is monitored and enforced by the Little Rock Wastewater Authority (LRWRA), which has the authority to issue permits, conduct inspections, and levy fines ^{1 3}.

Key components of the ordinance that every restaurant manager must understand include:

• FSP Permits: Service providers performing grease trap cleaning or pumping must hold a valid Fats, Oils, Grease Service Provider (FSP) Permit from the LRWRA ^{1 4}. Hiring a permitted provider is a fundamental step in maintaining your own compliance.
• Interceptor Standards: The ordinance specifies minimum capacity and flow rate requirements for grease interceptors based on the fixtures they serve ^{4 5}. Proper installation and connection of all grease-producing fixtures are mandatory.
• Accessibility: Your grease interceptor must be easily accessible for both inspection and cleaning activities. Obstructed or buried traps can lead to compliance issues and higher service costs ^{6 7}.

Maintenance Standards: How Clean is Clean Enough?

The Little Rock ordinance provides clear, non-negotiable standards for when and how grease interceptors must be serviced. Adhering to these standards is the best defense against violations.

The primary maintenance rule states that interceptors must be cleaned whenever the accumulated FOG and solids reach 25% of the unit's liquid depth, or at a minimum interval of every 30 days, whichever comes first ^{1 4}. This means a high-volume kitchen with heavy fryer use may require monthly service, while a lower-volume cafe might be cleaned on a quarterly schedule based on the 25% rule.

Crucially, a proper cleaning involves more than just skimming the top layer. The ordinance requires a complete evacuation, which includes pumping out all contents-liquids, solids, and FOG-from the interceptor ^{4 7}. The interior baffles and walls should also be scraped and washed down. Partial cleanings do not meet the legal standard and leave your business vulnerable to buildup, blockages, and penalties.

The Critical Role of Record-Keeping

Meticulous documentation is as important as the physical cleaning itself. The LRWRA can request maintenance records at any time to verify compliance ^{1 8}. Your service logs should be detailed and readily available.

Each service record should include:

• Date of service
• Name and FSP Permit number of the service company
• Volume of grease, solids, and wastewater removed (in gallons)
• Signature of the service provider
• Disposal location for the collected waste

Maintaining this paper trail demonstrates proactive compliance and can be invaluable during an inspection or if a question about your maintenance history arises.

Cost Factors for Grease Interceptor Service in Little Rock

The cost for grease trap pumping and cleaning in Little Rock varies based on several key factors. Understanding these can help you budget effectively and identify potential savings through preventative care.

• Trap Size and Type: A small, indoor hydromechanical grease trap (typically 30-200 gallons) costs significantly less to service than a large, underground concrete grease interceptor (750+ gallons) ^{9 10}.
• Volume of Waste: Providers often charge based on the volume of material pumped. A trap that is serviced regularly before it becomes overfull will generally cost less per visit than one that is severely packed with solidified grease and solids ^{11 12}.
• Accessibility: Easily accessible traps with clear lids and ample working space are quicker and cheaper to service. Traps that are buried, locked, or located in cramped basements or tight alleyways require more labor and equipment, increasing the cost ¹³.
• Service Frequency: Committing to a regular, scheduled maintenance plan is almost always more economical than calling for emergency service. Emergency call-outs for severe blockages or overflows can cost two to three times more than a planned cleaning ^{9 13}.

Based on these factors, estimated price ranges for service in the Little Rock area are:

• Small to Medium Traps (30-200 gal): ~$125 - $475 per scheduled cleaning ^{9 10}.
• Large Interceptors (750+ gal): ~$350 - $900+ per service ^{9 12}.
• Emergency/After-Hours Service: Can exceed $800-$1,200+ depending on the severity of the situation ⁹.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to adhere to the FOG ordinance is a serious matter with direct financial and operational consequences for your business. The LRWRA can issue substantial fines for violations, which escalate if problems are not corrected ^{1 3}. Beyond fines, the real cost often comes from emergency plumbing repairs to clear blocked sewer lines on your property, which can involve excavation and significant downtime for your kitchen ^{8 3}. In severe cases, repeated violations could lead to a suspension of your wastewater discharge permit, effectively halting your business operations until compliance is restored.

Building a Proactive Grease Management Plan

A reactive approach to grease trap maintenance is costly and risky. The most successful restaurants build a proactive plan.

1. Know Your System: Identify the type, size, and location of all grease interceptors on your property. Understand which kitchen drains flow into them.
2. Schedule Regular Service: Based on your volume and the 25% rule, establish a regular cleaning schedule with a licensed FSP provider. Quarterly is common for many establishments, but monthly may be necessary.
3. Train Your Staff: Educate kitchen staff on best practices for minimizing FOG going down the drain, such as using sink strainers, scraping plates into trash bins before washing, and collecting fryer oil separately for recycling.
4. Maintain Impeccable Records: Keep a dedicated logbook or digital file for all service reports. Review it regularly to ensure no service intervals are missed.
5. Inspect Between Services: Periodically check your interceptor's lid and condition. Look for signs of leakage, odor, or slow drainage in connected sinks, which can indicate it's time for service before the scheduled date.

Implementing these steps transforms grease trap maintenance from a dreaded expense into a managed, predictable part of your operational budget, while safeguarding your business from far greater costs and headaches.

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