City does not have authority to compel restaurants to install grease traps

Dear Editor,
Please refer to a letter which appeared in your Stabroek News issue on Monday, October 4 2010 headlined ‘Chinese restaurant clogging drains with `fat’’. We are aware of the situation. It is one where that particular restaurant-owner appears to have a problem with a grease trap. This is a device that filters waste water of fat particles.

Unfortunately, under the current law -Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, we do not have the authority to insist that restaurant-owners install grease traps to their kitchen facilities. It is a function of the Guyana Water Inc.

However, we do assist by raising awareness of the importance of this device, through our education programmes, within the local food industry. When fat particles get into the drainage system they restrict the flow of waste water and create environmental and public health problems.
We will again bring this to the attention of the appropriate agency.
Yours faithfully,
Royston King
Public Relations Officer