Criteria & Benefits

The Preferred Pumper Program (PPP) is an alliance of pumper companies working with their local sewer agency to establish a standard of cleaning and reporting procedures for grease interceptors.  Pumpers registered with the PPP sign agreements to certify that they will implement certain cleaning standards during each pumpout. They also agree to train and educate their staff about these standards.

Preferred Pumper Program Criteria

The preferred pumper agrees to: PPP Standards for Members (PDF, 27KB)

• Submit a list of FOG generators contracted to provide maintenance.

• Notify the local sewer agency of scheduled pumpouts a week in advance, and notify the agency of any changes the day prior.

• Accurately complete FOG pumpout reports and submit them to the local sewer agency within 10 days of pumpout.

• Perform cleaning procedure standards set by the PPP and report any cleaning procedure standards that cannot be met to the local sewer agency.

Preferred Pumper companies must also submit the required seven day notice prior to any pumpout service and required reporting to their local sewer agency. If a Preferred Pumper is not used, the FOG generator/Food Service Establishment is responsible for alerting the local sewer agency seven days prior and submitting a FOG report within 10 days of a pumpout.

Discharge Prohibitions

In addition to the above criteria, certain discharges are prohibited: 

• Emulsified or non-emulsified FOG or any substance which may solidify or become discernibly viscous shall not be discharged into the public sanitary or storm sewer systems.

• Any pollutant which may cause, or contribute to, interference with the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) may not be discharged, directly or indirectly. This includes solid or viscous substances in quantities, or of a size, capable of causing obstruction to the flow in a sanitary sewer or other interference with the operation of the POTW.

• Decanting and stacking are both prohibited:

  • Decanting is the practice of discharging grey water from a truck into a grease interceptor. This is often done in order to increase the number of service pumpouts.

  • Stacking is the practice of discharging the last pumpout waste into the onsite grease interceptor. This is often done in order to reduce transportation costs

• All waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

Reference Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR) Section 403.5 (b)(3) and 403.8 (f)(2)(vi)(C)

Benefits of Being a Preferred Pumper