Top Grease Trap Cleaning in Eagan, Minnesota Ranked

For any restaurant or food service establishment (FSE) in Eagan, managing fats, oils, and grease (FOG) is a critical operational and legal responsibility. The city enforces a proactive FOG Control Program designed to protect the municipal sewer system from blockages and costly overflows. Compliance isn't optional; it involves strict cleaning schedules, detailed record-keeping, and the implementation of specific best management practices. Understanding and adhering to Eagan's grease trap regulations is essential to avoid fines, prevent service interruptions, and maintain a smooth-running kitchen.

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

1821 University Ave W #317, St Paul, MN 55104

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup provides comprehensive plumbing services in Minneapolis, MN, specializing in both residential and commercial plumbing needs. Their offerings include drain cleaning, grease trap pumping, sewer line repair and replacement, water heater services, and water softener and filtration system installation. The company uses advanced techniques such as hydro-jetting and video camera sewer inspection to address plumbing issues efficiently. Serving the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro areas, Roto-Rooter is available 24/7 for emergency plumbing services, ensuring support whenever urgent problems arise.

4.9

2.9k Reviews

Ultimate Drain Services Inc

minneapolis

Ultimate Drain Services Inc is a family-owned business serving Minneapolis, MN, and the surrounding areas including St. Paul and Western Wisconsin. They provide a wide range of drain cleaning services for commercial, industrial, and residential clients. Their capabilities include hydrojetting and grease trap pumping. With nearly 30 years of experience, they offer 24/7 emergency services to address plumbing issues promptly.

4.9

483 Reviews

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

1629 Hennepin Ave #300G, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup is a licensed and insured plumbing company serving Minneapolis, MN. They provide 24/7 plumbing services including drain cleaning, grease trap pumping, sewer line repair, and water damage cleanup for both residential and commercial clients. Their capabilities include hydro-jetting and video camera inspections to diagnose and clear drain and sewer issues efficiently. Established with a long history in plumbing, Roto-Rooter is available around the clock to handle emergencies and routine maintenance throughout the Minneapolis metro area.

4.8

5.6k Reviews

Drain King Inc.

7740 Beech St NE, Fridley, MN 55432

Drain King Inc. is a drain cleaning company serving Brooklyn Park, MN, and the surrounding metro areas including Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Bloomington, and St. Paul. They provide commercial and residential sewer and drain cleaning services, including grease trap pumping, septic pumping, frozen line thawing, jetting, rooter services, and sewer line locating. The company uses advanced diagnostic equipment and offers 24-hour emergency drain and sewer cleaning services. With decades of experience, Drain King also provides preventive maintenance plans to help avoid costly repairs.

4.6

36 Reviews

Unclogdrains.com

10075 Xylite St NE, Blaine, MN 55449

Unclogdrains.com is a grease trap cleaning company based in Blaine, MN, serving the Twin Cities area and greater Minnesota. They provide a full range of drain and sewer cleaning services including water jetting, grease trap cleaning, and vacuum truck operations. Their vacuum trucks can remove solid, liquid, or dry matter, including fine powders, from hard-to-reach areas. The company has been operating since 1992, using advanced equipment and skilled technicians to handle commercial, residential, and industrial projects.

4.5

35 Reviews

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Understanding Eagan's FOG Control Program

Eagan's Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program is a comprehensive set of rules mandated by the city code ¹. The primary goal is to prevent grease from commercial kitchens from entering and congealing in the public sewer lines, which can lead to severe blockages, sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), and environmental damage. The program applies to all food service establishments, from fast-casual spots to full-service restaurants, that discharge wastewater into the city's system ^{2 3}.

The city's approach combines clear equipment requirements, mandated maintenance intervals, and enforced operational practices. Each FSE is required to have properly sized and permitted grease interceptors or traps ^{4 3}. The program is managed by the city's Public Works department, which emphasizes education but has a structured enforcement policy that can escalate to significant penalties for non-compliance ^{2 5}.

Mandatory Cleaning Frequencies & Interceptor Types

Eagan's regulations distinguish between two main types of grease control devices, each with its own cleaning schedule. Adhering to these frequencies is the cornerstone of compliance.

Indoor Grease Traps (Hydro-Mechanical Interceptors): These are typically smaller units (often 30-200 gallons) located inside the kitchen, often under sinks or in the floor. Eagan mandates that these indoor traps must be cleaned and pumped out a minimum of every 30 days ^{2 6}. However, the rule is more stringent: cleaning must occur whenever the accumulated FOG and solids reach 25% of the wetted depth of the trap, which may require service more often than monthly for high-volume kitchens ^{2 7}.

Outdoor Grease Interceptors: These are larger, in-ground tanks typically located outside the building. They handle the wastewater from the entire facility. The city requires that these outdoor interceptors be inspected and cleaned at intervals not exceeding 90 days (quarterly) ^{2 1}. Like indoor traps, if the interceptor reaches 25% capacity before the 90-day mark, it must be serviced immediately.

Failure to meet these scheduled cleanings is a direct violation of city code and a common trigger for enforcement actions.

Required Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Cleaning the trap is only one part of the equation. Eagan requires all FSEs to implement and maintain a set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize grease entering the drainage system in the first place ^{2 4}. These proactive measures are often included in the FOG control packet provided by the city and typically include:

• Staff Training: Educating all kitchen employees on proper FOG disposal practices.
• Dry Wiping and Scraping: Removing food scraps and grease from pots, pans, and plates into the trash before washing.
• Use of Strainers: Installing and maintaining baskets or strainers in all sink drains to catch solids.
• Proper Disposal: Collecting used cooking oil in dedicated containers for recycling, not pouring it down any drain.
• Maintenance Logs: Keeping records of all grease interceptor maintenance, waste oil recycling, and kitchen practices.

Implementing these BMPs effectively can reduce the volume of grease reaching your interceptor, potentially extending the time between required pump-outs and lowering service costs ^{6 8}.

The Critical Role of Record-Keeping and Documentation

If you service your trap but can't prove it, you are not in compliance. Eagan's FOG program places a heavy emphasis on documentation ^{2 4}. Detailed records must be kept on-site and made available to city inspectors upon request. These records should include:

• Service Receipts: Documentation from your grease trap cleaning provider showing the date of service, the company name, the volume of waste removed, and the disposal location.
• Waste Hauler Manifests: For larger interceptors, the official manifest from the licensed waste hauler.
• Internal Inspection Logs: Records of your own staff's visual inspections of indoor grease traps.
• Training Logs: Documentation of employee training on BMPs.
• Cooking Oil Recycling Records: Receipts from your used cooking oil collection service.

Meticulous record-keeping is your first line of defense during an inspection and is crucial for demonstrating due diligence ⁸.

Enforcement and Consequences of Non-Compliance

The City of Eagan generally follows an escalating enforcement strategy, but the consequences for persistent violations are serious ^{2 5}.

1. Education & Notice: Initial inspections often focus on educating business owners about the requirements. A notice of violation may be issued with a corrective deadline.
2. Warnings & Re-inspection: Failure to correct the issue may lead to formal warnings and follow-up inspections.
3. Fines and Penalties: Continued non-compliance can result in significant monetary fines. The city's code provides the authority to levy these penalties ¹.
4. Severe Actions: In cases of severe or repeated violations, the city has the authority to suspend sewer service or even revoke the establishment's permission to discharge into the city system, which effectively means shutting off water service-a move that would close any food service business ^{2 7}.

The financial and operational risk of non-compliance far outweighs the cost of consistent, professional grease trap maintenance.

Understanding Service Costs and Variables

The cost for grease trap pumping in Eagan varies based on several factors. For common indoor grease traps (30-200 gallons), ongoing monthly service contracts can range from approximately $125 to $180 per pump-out ^{9 10}. A one-time or emergency cleaning for the same size unit may cost between $190 and $240 ^{9 6}.

Key factors influencing price include:

• Trap Size and Location: Larger outdoor interceptors cost more to pump than small indoor units.
• Kitchen Volume: A high-volume restaurant will fill a trap faster, potentially requiring more frequent service.
• Accessibility: Easy, clear access to the trap lid reduces labor time.
• Service Frequency: Committing to a regular monthly or quarterly service plan often comes with a discounted rate compared to one-off calls ¹¹.
• Disposal Costs: Hauling and legally disposing of FOG waste at a treatment facility is a component of the price.

Investing in proper staff training and BMPs can reduce the frequency of required cleanings, offering long-term savings ^{12 8}.

Choosing a Service Provider for Compliance

Selecting the right grease trap cleaning partner is a strategic decision. A reputable provider does more than just pump out grease; they become a partner in your compliance strategy. Look for a licensed, insured, and experienced company familiar with Eagan's specific city codes and inspection requirements. A good provider will offer detailed service reports that include all the data (date, volume pumped, disposal location) you need for your records. They should also be willing to advise on BMPs and help you optimize your service schedule based on your actual kitchen output, ensuring you meet the legal minimums without overspending.

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