Grease Trap Relief Program
In response to City Council Resolution No. 20240530-165, four City of Austin departments — Austin Development Services, Austin Economic Development, Austin Public Health and Austin Water — are working on a series of improvements aimed at reducing barriers to small business growth in Austin.
As part of this effort, Austin Water's Utility Compliance Services Division has developed the Grease Trap Relief Program. Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, qualifying and approved establishments within the City of Austin may receive no-cost grease trap equipment and installation or replacement. For most participating businesses and Charitable Feeding Organizations (CFOs), this represents a potential savings of $30,000 or more.
- Program Overview
The Grease Trap Relief Program offers no-cost grease trap equipment and installation or replacement to qualifying small business facilities and CFOs — available to both new and existing businesses.
Program Benefits
The Grease Trap Relief Program benefits both approved businesses and CFOs and the City of Austin.
Shared benefits:
- Water conservation from grease traps that use less water to operate and clean than traditional concrete models
- Reduced risk of sanitary sewer overflows from replacing failing grease traps
- Assurance that the grease trap installed is appropriate for the specific establishment
Benefits to businesses and CFOs:
- A more streamlined installation or replacement process
- Easier maintenance and assurance the device is being serviced properly by the permitted liquid waste hauler
Benefits to Austin Water:
- Supporting economic growth in Austin, particularly for small businesses
- More efficient and effective wastewater pipeline cleaning
- Who Can Apply?
Property owners or business owners of both new and existing businesses and CFOs may apply to replace an existing grease trap or install a new grease trap. Both options include a Grease Trap Monitoring System.
If the business owner is not the property owner, the property owner must also sign the application.
Before work begins, proof of ownership — a signed purchase and sale agreement or a lease agreement — must be provided and a Legal Agreement must be signed. The Legal Agreement confirms that the business will follow Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Best Management Practices and that while the City covers the cost of the grease trap and its installation or replacement, all future maintenance and repair costs are the responsibility of the food establishment or property owner. Once the Legal Agreement is completed, Austin Water will coordinate the work with a City-approved contractor and pay the contractor directly upon a successful post-installation inspection.
- Installation and Replacement Requirements
All grease traps installed through the program will be poly/fiberglass models, which require less water, offer greater durability and are easier to install and clean than traditional concrete models.
Grease Trap Monitoring System
All installed grease traps will include a Grease Trap Monitoring System. The business or CFO receiving the grease trap will pay an annual monitoring service fee, which is essentially offset by the Utility Compliance Services Division waiving the annual Wastewater Discharge Permit Fee. Monitoring benefits include:
- A dashboard allowing the facility and the City to view grease trap status at any time — and in some cases, data may support a pump-out frequency variance (less frequent than every 90 days per § 15-10-197)
- Alerts when a pump-out is needed, coordinated by the subscription vendor to simplify pretreatment compliance
- Post-pump-out verification that the permitted liquid waste hauler completed the job properly
- Continuous 24/7 monitoring with alarm notifications for conditions that may indicate improper or diminished functionality
- How to Apply
Grease Trap Relief Program Application – Now Accepting Applications!
Applicants must complete the online application and provide all required documentation, including:
- Current menu or, if unavailable, a signed statement of operations
- FOG Best Management Practices used or planned by the business or CFO
- A set of scalable drawings showing all plumbing fixtures, kitchen equipment and sanitary/grease waste pipes
- Copies of liquid waste hauler manifests documenting grease trap cleaning and disposal for the previous two years, or from the start of operations if the site has been open fewer than two years (not required for businesses or CFOs not yet in operation)
- Copies of any Industrial Waste Approval Letters on file from the Austin Water Special Services/Utility Compliance Services Division related to the business (not required for new businesses not yet in operation).
Applications not selected during a fiscal year (October–September) are automatically carried forward for consideration in future years. A new application is only needed if you wish to supersede a prior submission.
Application Review and Approval
Note: Submission does not guarantee approval.
Applications passing an initial completeness check will be reviewed by a selection committee using a standardized scoring matrix. A site visit by Utility Compliance Services personnel may be required before a final decision. Those selected will be notified by email.
- If you are affiliated with more than one business or CFO, you may apply for each location
- Although no facility is excluded from consideration, Resolution No. 20240530-165 designates small, locally owned businesses and CFOs as the primary beneficiaries of the program
- Common Questions
What is a grease trap?
Grease traps, also known as grease interceptors, are underground devices that prevent fats, oils and grease from entering the City's sewer system, helping to prevent clogs and damage. City of Austin Code requires regular pump-outs to keep the device functioning properly. For more information, see the Industrial Waste Plan Review page.
What is a sanitary sewer overflow?
A sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) is a wastewater overflow from a sanitary sewer system that poses significant environmental, health and safety risks. SSOs can be caused by anything capable of obstructing wastewater flow. For more information, see the Sanitary Sewer Overflows page.
Does my business need a grease trap?
A grease trap is required for all food preparation operations unless a variance is approved by Austin Water's Industrial Waste program. Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, a new FOG risk-based system will be used to determine whether establishments may qualify for a variance. Some businesses previously required to install a grease trap may no longer need one, and some with existing traps may not need to replace them.
Any exemption is contingent on following FOG Best Management Practices. If an establishment is later found to have caused an SSO by not following those practices, the exemption will be revoked, a grease trap will be required at the establishment's own expense and a new Industrial Waste Approval Letter will be required. See the Grease Interceptor Installation Variance Request Form (PDF) for more information.
How long does installation or replacement take?
Each situation is unique, but the process typically takes five to seven days in most cases.
Where can I find FOG Best Management Practices?
See the Grease Trap Maintenance page.
Are there other benefits in the works for Austin businesses?
Yes. Effective fiscal year 2028 (beginning Oct. 1, 2027), wastewater discharge permit fees and surcharge fees will be based on each business's level of grease-related risk and likelihood of causing an SSO. This could result in reduced or waived fees for some establishments.
The Utility Compliance Services Division is also actively exploring opportunities to streamline the permitting process in coordination with other City of Austin departments — a top concern of local restaurant operators.
How long will the program be available?
The Grease Trap Relief Program is expected to be available indefinitely and to grow over time. Funds have been allocated within the Utility Compliance Services Division budget for future years.
How many grease traps will be installed or replaced each year?
The number will vary based on budget. Because each installation or replacement is unique, costs vary.
Can I share a grease trap with a neighboring business?
Possibly. The Utility Compliance Services Division will allow shared grease traps where space is available, it makes plumbing sense and all parties agree. Arrangements that increase the risk of grease-related sanitary sewer overflows will not be approved.
What if I have a problem with an installed grease trap?
Installed grease traps will carry a warranty. However, because the business or CFO will be the owner of the new grease trap, repair costs not covered by the warranty are the responsibility of the business or CFO. The City covers only the initial installation or replacement cost.
Can I apply for a different location if I've already been approved?
Yes. Prior approval at one location does not affect eligibility to apply for another.
If I'm a property owner, do I need to specify the type of business I plan to lease to?
Yes. The type of business and food handling practices are key to determining whether a grease trap is needed and, if so, what size.
Who can fill out an application?
Applications should be completed by the business owner or property owner. If the business owner is not the property owner, the property owner must also sign the application.
Can I submit more than one application?
Yes. If you are affiliated with more than one business or CFO, you may apply for each location.
How will I know my application was received?
You will receive a confirmation email when your application is submitted.
What if I have a question about my application after submitting it?
Email AWGreaseTrapRelief@austintexas.gov.
If my application isn't selected this fiscal year, do I need to reapply?
No. Unselected applications are automatically carried forward. A new application is only needed if any information has changed; the new submission will supersede any prior submissions for that location.
What if I have a question not answered on this page?