Case Study: Huntington, WV

Situated along the Ohio River, Huntington, West Virginia, is a university town with a population fluctuating between 46,000 to 50,000 due to the presence of Marshall University. Though rich in history and scenic beauty, the city's economy has faced challenges. Huntington is actively working to revitalize its downtown with new attractions and restaurants.

The Huntington Sanitary Board’s FOG (fats, oils, and grease) program, under the Pretreatment Division, has been operational since the mid-1990s, initiated under the strong encouragement of the WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Sarah Kelley, the sole inspector of the program, has been at the helm for the past 13 years. The program currently serves around 175 to 180 Food Service Establishments (FSEs). 

Initially, the program relied on Excel spreadsheets to track inspections and permits. As the program grew, it became clear that a more robust system was needed. Around five years ago, Huntington adopted the Linko software for better data management. This transition significantly reduced the administrative burden and improved the efficiency of the program. 

More recently, Huntington implemented an Authorized Hauler Program. This initiative has shifted much of the responsibility for inspections and reporting onto the haulers themselves, who now must report cleanouts directly through Linko. This change has led to better regulation and more consistent reporting, which has improved compliance among FSEs.

The adoption of the Linko software and the Authorized Hauler Program has led to measurable improvements in the city’s FOG management. Staff can generate reports through Linko and their asset management software to track compliance and data regarding grease-related work orders. They then prioritize inspections by noncompliance and hot spots in the system. They are organized into categories such as quarterly, semi annual, and annual. As a result of the Authorized Hauler Program, inspections have been reduced to semiannual and annual visits. Self-Cleaners are inspected more frequently. While the exact reduction in Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) and maintenance costs is still being quantified, there has been a noticeable decrease in FOG hot spots, especially in areas affected by commercial FSEs, since the passing of their sewer use ordinance in April of 2023. The program's success is evident in the reduced number of SSOs and the improved ability to track and manage grease-related issues. 

One of the key factors in Huntington’s success has been the close collaboration with the WV DEP and the local health department. By maintaining open lines of communication, the FOG program has been able to stay ahead of potential issues and ensure that new establishments are properly equipped to manage FOG from the outset. 

Taking effect in September 2023, the Authorized Hauler Program has been particularly effective, allowing for more accurate and timely inspections. Authorized haulers measure FOG buildup at time of pump out and report it via the POM portal. Self-Cleaners also report FOG measurements via the POM portal. The POM portal includes a field to report the disposal site, which allows the city to contact them and confirm the disposal was accurate. By having haulers report directly through the Linko system, the city has reduced the incidence of incomplete or lost manifests, leading to better overall compliance. The graphs below illustrate how the upgrades within the program assisted with data collection and reporting. 

Another program win is ensuring that all fixtures and drains are connected to the grease interceptor (GI). This is currently only for new buildings, change of ownership, or building function. The Huntington Sanitary Board (HSB) must approve all plans for new construction. They perform site inspections during progress and ensure everything is up to code once completed. There is a close collaboration between the Health Department during this phase. 

Despite the program’s success, Huntington’s aging infrastructure presents ongoing challenges. The city is preparing for a $250 million upgrade to its wastewater treatment and collection system, a project expected to take four to five years. As part of this effort, the city is considering the implementation of a FOG collection system to generate energy, inspired by successful programs in other municipalities. Another barrier the city has faced is FOG related issues within residential areas. Because of this ongoing and significant challenge, Huntington is looking into starting a residential FOG program. At this time, they perform educational outreach to residents and neighborhood associations. 

Huntington’s FOG program serves as a model for other small to mid-sized cities facing similar challenges. Using technology, collaboration with local agencies, and innovative programs like the Authorized Hauler Program, Huntington has been able to reduce the impact of FOG on its wastewater system, leading to lower costs and fewer environmental incidents. As the city continues to upgrade its infrastructure, the FOG program will remain a critical component of its long-term sustainability strategy. 

Sarah Kelley is Huntington’s FOG Inspector and the main staff member for their FOG program. Sarah can be reached at sarahkelley@huntingtonsb.com for further questions or comments.