Environmental Compliance

There is a greater awareness of the importance of environmental issues and the impact on air and water quality with the effect there is a greater level of enforcement of Federal and State rules and regulations. The local environment governing authorities operate under the directives of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The Environmental Compliance Department of the City Of Covington oversees three of the major areas of environmental concern; Oil & Grease Regulation, Cross-Connection Control, and Industrial Pretreatment.

Oil & Grease Program

  • The responsibilities for the Oil & Grease Program entail routine grease trap inspections, tracking of waste hauler and disposal information, and enforcing penalties for non-compliance
  • The department serves 133 food establishments in the City of Covington, with new traps being added constantly as the city grows with new restaurants, schools, and other facilities

Cross-Connection Control Program (Backflow Prevention)

  • Inspecting facilities for proper backflow devices
  • Inspection the installation of backflow devices
  • Monitoring all facilities for compliance with required annual test and maintenance

Industrial Pretreatment Program

This progam established the department. Industrial Pretreatment has also experienced growth with the addition of industries. The City is currently permitting eleven industries, and inspections may prove the need for one or more permits in 2010.
The major duties associated with the administration of the Industrial Program Include:

  • Annual walk-through inspections and interviews at each of the permitted industries
  • Monitoring of each industry’s wastewater discharge and sampling each no less than once a month
  • Surcharging industries for exceeding discharge limitations

The coordination of these programs in the Environmental Compliance Department is not just limited to the functions previously mentioned. The additional task of managing these programs’ responsibilities includes:

  • Inspecting all new facilities for backflow, oil & grease, and industrial standards
  • Issuing C/O’s for final compliance