The Water and Sanitation Directorate of the City of Cape Town has intensified inspections of grease traps at food outlets, to prevent sewer blockages and overflows, ahead of the Summer season.
This follows 18 contraventions out of 53 inspections at eateries, since October 2025, during an inspection blitz.
Zahid Badroodien, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member (MMC ) for Water and Sanitation, said restaurant and eatery grease traps capture fats, oils and grease (FOG) before they enter the sewer system, thus preventing the formation of solid fat deposits and sewer blockages.
He said the City’s water pollution control monitors may issue fines for non-compliance and also take legal steps, even serious ones, leading to prosecution or disconnection from the sewer system.
Grease in wastewater, blocks sewer pipes and reduces flow capacity, causes pump station failures and leads to sewer overflows that pose health and environmental risks.
Eateries are urged to collect waste oil and fat in a suitable, secure container and arrange for it to be collected by a licensed waste contractor.
“Do not try to dissolve fat with hot water down the sink, as it will only solidify again further down and block the pipes/drains. Rather install and properly maintain a grease trap if you run a restaurant or are involved in food preparation.”
Important information:
grease traps information booklet
For grease trap compliance queries or complaints, contact the Technical Operations Centre at 0860 103 089. For industrial effluent advice, call the Water Pollution Control Inspectorate on 021 444 9208.
Picture: Supplied