Town to perform compliance checks

PLAINS – After noticing issues with the town’s septic system last year, the town is ready to act in an effort to ensure that a town ordinance is being followed.

According to Plains Mayor Greg Eitelberg, last year the town experienced a grease plug up. The lagoons, where wastewater is managed, were filled with items that should not be put down people’s toilets such as plastic.

The Public Works Department was tasked with cleaning out the debris. In an effort to curb the amount of trash flushed down the toilets, the town of Plains sent out a letter to the restaurants and businesses in town stating that the city had found and repaired blockage, “containing grease, rubber gloves, and cloth materials; between Highway 200 and Airport Road.” The letter stated the Public Works Department would be inspecting grease traps to ensure they are in compliance with the ordinance.

The ordinance states that grease, oil and sand interceptors would be provided when deemed they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes containing elements of excessive amounts.

“All interceptors shall be of a type and capacity approved by the PWD and shall be located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspections,” states the ordinance.

It goes on to state that the owner is responsible for the proper removal and disposal of any material, adding that currently only licensed water disposal firms were allowed to perform any removal and hauling of the collected material not performed by the owner.

The lagoons remain littered with debris and as a follow-up to the letter sent out on Sept. 9, 2013, the city is ready to do their follow-up inspections.

“If they don’t comply, I will be writing tickets,” Mayor Eitelberg explained.

If violations are found, Plains Police Chief Shawn Emmett would be tasked with writing the tickets, which could result in a $500 fine and six months in jail.

Mayor Eitelberg said the debris is plugging up the system and the problem needs to be taken care of in a timely fashion.

The town will also be routinely checking manholes to ensure they are in proper working condition and receive routine maintenance.

“That will coincide with checking all these grease traps because if I’m outside a restaurant, I got a ton of grease inside that manhole, obviously (the Public Works Department are) going to tell me that I probably have a problem with that particular establishment,” Mayor Eitelberg explained.

Mayor Eitelberg wants to inform the businesses and residents that the compliance checks will be happening in the near future and will continue on a regular basis.