POINT ARENA, CA., 11/24/25 – The Point Arena City Council unanimously approved sending formal letters to businesses and residents, asking them to stop putting grease or similar waste down drains connected to the city’s sewer system.
Point Arena’s sewer system was originally installed in the 1930s. There have been renovations and replacements since, but some of the old infrastructure still exists, according to the city’s website.
According to an agenda item summary that was introduced at the Point Arena City Council meeting last week, “The city of Point Arena has observed a steady increase in grease buildup within the wastewater collection and treatment systems. This accumulation can reduce treatment efficiency, increase maintenance costs, and cause sewer blockages or backups, ultimately affecting all ratepayers.”
In the agenda item, the city of Point Arena also stated that each food service establishment, including business owners and residents operating food businesses, was responsible for maintaining and cleaning grease interceptors, which are devices that trap grease before it is released into the sewer system. The document stated that city code requires food service establishments, including business owners and residents, to clean these interceptors regularly so they do not create blockages in the sewer system.
Additionally, the agenda item summary stated that, “Rather than adopting a new ordinance at this time, using the existing code to enforce proper installation, maintenance, and operation of grease interceptors among local food service establishments is possible.”
Letters outlining grease interceptor maintenance requirements will likely be sent out to food service establishment owners and residents operating food businesses in Point Arena between Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to a city spokesperson.
The letter states that interceptors need to be regularly maintained, and the city’s wastewater plant chief operator will visit establishments sporadically to ensure interceptors are being cleaned. The operator will also work with owners on evaluating interceptors and determining whether new ones are needed.
A “grease trap/maintenance log” will also be included with the letters sent out by city staff. These logs will allow business owners and residents operating food businesses to track how often they clean their interceptors and how much grease and other waste is being collected.
City staff are asking business owners and residents operating food businesses to begin keeping detailed records of their grease interceptor cleaning schedules starting Monday.
According to the city spokesperson, the total cost of sending the letters will be $200.
The city also approved sending a separate letter to residents encouraging them to dispose of grease and other waste properly and not down their drains.
The next Point Arena City Council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers inside the Point Arena Veterans Building at 451 School Street. Residents can also participate virtually via Zoom by clicking this link. Meeting agendas can be found at pointarena.ca.gov/document-category/council-agenda/. To ask questions or request a physical copy of the agenda, you can call (707) 882-2122, email admin@pointarena.ca.gov, or go in person to the Council Chambers.
Note: This story has been corrected to clarify that there were separate letters sent out to food service establishments and residents about grease and other waste being put down drains. Only the businesses received letters about cleaning grease interceptors.