A new DeKalb County ordinance imposes regulations on apartment complexes responsible for sewer spills caused when residents pour fats, oils and grease down their sinks.
The Board of Commissioners passed the ordinance in December, according to a statement from the county. It went into effect last month.
The ordinance describes multifamily homes as a structure with more than 75 units.
DeKalb Watershed Management found that multifamily homes were largely unregulated when it came to such requirements, despite the discharge of fats, oils and grease causing problems at sewer pump stations and treatment plants.
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Under the new ordinance, multifamily homes whose discharges are greater than 100 mg per liter or causes a sewer spill must inspect their pipes for those elements, enroll in a control program and register for a discharge permit.
They must also clean private sewer lines and remove debris and grease solids.
The ordinance came about five months after DeKalb commissioners approved $105.2 million for sewer repairs and maintenance for the next two years.
According to the county, 40 percent of sewer spills are caused by a build-up of fats, oils and grease in pipes.
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