Who's Your Data? A Data Driven FOG Management Program

In 2004 JEA, the municipal electric, water and wastewater utility in Jacksonville, Florida implemented an innovative FOG program to ensure food service establishments (FSE) compliance. Two unique features allow the JEA FOG program to achieve a high level of efficiency. First, the program depends on the active participation of grease interceptor maintenance vendors (Preferred Haulers). Next, program staff rely heavily on data analysis and a robust software program to manage both Preferred Haulers and food service establishments. These unique features allow a JEA FOG program staff of 2 full time equivalents to effectively regulate 2300 FSE.Preferred Haulers agree to meet JEA criteria for interceptor service performance in exchange for JEA endorsement. JEA in turn monitors Preferred Hauler (PH) performance to ensure endorsements are warranted and maintained. This has resulted in dramatic improvements in this service industry as a whole in Jacksonville.JEA relies on data collected by the PH that is entered into its specialized software program to determine FSE compliance. Analyzing the data, FOG program staff apply regulatory pressure where it's needed most. These data have also provided insights to the effectiveness of different pump out methods as well as interceptor FOG loadings by various FSE market segments.Using detailed analysis of data collected by select haulers and focusing on hauler performance, the JEA FOG program continues to demonstrate its effectiveness in increasing FSE compliance, improving hauler performance, and decreasing FSE related SSOs. This paper will discuss the Preferred Hauler program, comparisons of pump out methods, FOG loadings by market segment, and how data is used to maintain compliance.