Columbia addresses downtown spillage violation, concerns

A grease overflow spill clean-up is underway in parts of downtown Columbia.

On Wednesday, the Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) said it had received some complaints about overflowing grease collection bins. This includes concerns that people are tracking the mess into businesses.

“Several alleys have grease bins and we have situations where they overflow, which creates a slippery, unsafe condition for both pedestrians and employees,” said Katie Essing with the Downtown CID.

Columbia’s Public Works Department said there’s also evidence some of the grease runoff is going into the city’s storm water system.

Between March 6 and 10, John T. Conway of public works wrote two grease removal companies whose bins are located downtown and said the spillage violates the city’s DNR Storm Water permit.

“The containers constantly have grease spillage in the city’s right-of-way leading up to the grease container,” wrote Conway. “Additionally, some of the grease containers have had food (residue) dumped into the top of the container blocking the entrance into the grease container causing odors and an unsanitary condition in the alley.”

Conway also asked that the companies identify their customers to better address the grease issue.

“If the city or Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) could identify who is placing grease in the container, we would be able to work with your customer to properly place the grease in the container and more importantly to demand they clean up their mess,” wrote Conway.

ABC 17 News was told both grease companies have responded to the city’s letter.

Essing said the Downtown CID wants restaurants to adopt a cleaner grease storage system too.

“What we have seen a few restaurants do that seems to work really well (is to use) grease storage tanks which can be either in the kitchen or located right outside the business depending on space concerns” said Essing. “Those create a seamless process where the grease goes from the fryer into the storage tank and then is pumped out by the company that comes to retrieve the grease. So, it’s not handled by people, it’s cleaner, it doesn’t smell as much and (there is) less risk for spilling, (and) getting tracked into the storm water system.”