Who can haul grease trap waste in Maricopa County?

Chapter II, Section VII of the Maricopa County Environmental Health Code says no person shall remove, store, transport or dispose of any nonhazardous liquid waste without applying for and receiving a permit. The county's own FAQ lists grease trap waste, grit trap waste, septic waste, sludges and wastewaters as examples of nonhazardous liquid waste.

Chandler's record rules name the servicer as a Maricopa County Environmental Service Department licensed nonhazardous liquid waste hauler, or an employee if the restaurant services its own device. Tempe requires service by a permitted hauler, and Phoenix requires cleaning by a licensed pumper.

• The vehicle is what gets permitted. The county's FAQ says the truck must be inspected and permitted before it hauls, and on a tractor and tanker combination only the tanker is permitted.
• One year at a time. Permits are issued for a year and renewed annually if the holder is in compliance.
• Numbered trucks. Each approved vehicle carries a county-assigned number on the cab door panels and the rear of the tank, at least 3 inches high.
• Tank size. Tanks must hold at least 750 gallons. Tanks used only for servicing chemical toilets may be permitted smaller.
• Approved disposal. Waste may go only to a disposal place the county approved when it issued the permit.

1. 1Is the truck permitted by Maricopa County for nonhazardous liquid waste, and what is its vehicle number?
2. 2Where will the waste be taken?
3. 3Will you leave an invoice or manifest with date, quantity and disposal location? Chandler wants those items in your records.

Look for the number on the truck when it arrives, and file the paperwork. The maintenance log guide shows what to record, and what happens during a cleaning shows what a good pump-out looks like. For city schedules, use the Valley grease rules by city.