FAQs – Columbus City Utilities

Q: What is a grease interceptor and how does it work?

A grease interceptor is typically a concrete vault with a minimum capacity of 750 gallons. It is connected to the restaurant plumbing and is located below the ground and outside the building. The interceptor capacity allows for enough retention time for the suspended fats, oils and grease to congeal and rise to the top. Periodically, a service contractor will pump the accumulated grease and other food waste out of the receptor to maintain its efficiency.

Q: What is a grease trap and how does it work?

A grease trap is a small reservoir built into the wastewater piping, a short distance from the grease producing area. Baffles in the reservoir retain the wastewater long enough for the grease to congeal and rise to the surface. These small devices need to be cleaned often, from daily to weekly, and this is normally done by restaurant staff. Some plumbing and septic hauling companies also offer grease trap cleaning services.

Q: What does CCU fix if it breaks?

Water CCU maintains and makes any necessary repairs to the water main, the service line leading up to the meter pit, and the meter pit, including the meter. The line leading from the customer's side of the meter is considered the customer's responsibility to maintain and any water usage recorded on the meter will be billed accordingly. (A sewer credit can sometimes be arranged if it is shown a leak caused large quantities of water to pass through the meter and not enter the sewer system). Sewer Unlike water lines, the customer assumes a responsibility for the building lateral when they connect. The customer is therefore responsible for every part of the sanitary sewer system that serves only his site. This can sometimes mean the homeowner must make repairs located within the public right of way. In these cases, care must be taken in selecting contractors capable of performing this type of work. The homeowner should check with the City Engineer before final hiring of a contractor.

Q: Am I eligible to receive services from CCU?

If you live within the city limits of Columbus, Indiana, you are eligible to receive service from Columbus City Utilities (CCU). CCU is a municipally owned and operated utility. It has certain procedures for citizens of the City to gain services and different procedures for those who live outside the corporate limits. If you live outside of the City of Columbus, you should first go to the Bartholomew County planning office and make an application for service with them.