EHC-33™ Grease Control Bacteria: Effectively Reduces Grease Buildup in Sewer Lines and Lift Stations

Grease-related issues often arise within 300 feet of high grease-generating locations, such as restaurants. Since grease emulsifies at 140ºF and dishwasher rinse water typically reaches 180ºF, grease frequently bypasses grease traps and flows directly into the city’s sewer main. As the water cools, the grease solidifies, clogging the pipes. Many restaurant owners know that running hot water can re-emulsify the grease, pushing it further down the line for the city to manage.

Even if there are no restaurants on the line, grease problems can originate from other sources like apartment complexes, schools, catering kitchens, food processing plants, or golf courses—anywhere cooking occurs.

Other problematic areas include sections of the line that have sagged due to ground erosion or siphons running under streams or bridges. These lines are particularly challenging to clean, as heavy debris, such as stones, can settle at the bottom and are difficult to remove. This debris can trap significant amounts of grease, exacerbating the issue.

In sagged lines, the pipe’s diameter is effectively reduced by the depth of the sag. For example, an eight-inch pipe with a four-inch sag becomes a four-inch pipe, limiting flow capacity. Regular cleaning is crucial because any additional grease buildup will further reduce the line’s capacity, leading to inevitable blockages.

Implementing a consistent EHC-33™ program can significantly reduce or even eliminate grease blockages in these problem areas.

To determine the appropriate dosing for your system, we will ask a few key questions:

• What is the diameter of the sewer line?
• How long is the section of the line where grease is accumulating?
• How many manholes are involved?
• How many restaurants or other high grease generators are connected to the line?
• Where are the historically problematic sections of the line?
• Do any of these lines have sags?

Applying EHC-33™ is easy. The product comes in 8 oz. water-soluble packets that are safe to handle and require no pre-mixing, measuring, or soaking. Simply open the manhole and drop the packet into the flow of the line.

For first-time users, we suggest starting the program in a historically troublesome line. Many operators experience sections of line that frequently back up. Occasionally, a backup may occur as grease buildup is removed by EHC-33™, with large pieces of grease breaking off and temporarily blocking the line. To help prevent this, some operators choose to mechanically clean the line before starting the EHC-33™ treatment, helping keep the line clear.

The Cleanup/Inoculation Phase

During this phase, the line should be treated with EHC-33™ in 500-foot sections. This phase serves to:

• Clear the line, providing space for grease from upstream to flow
• Establish a population of grease-eating bacteria that will continue to consume grease

Start at the downstream section and treat the line for four days, then move to the next 500-foot section upstream, repeating the process until the entire line has received its initial dose. If you're treating more than 1,000 feet, begin the maintenance dose in the first 1,000-foot section while continuing the inoculation process upstream.

The Maintenance Phase

Once the initial doses are completed, you can begin the maintenance phase. Up to one mile of line can be treated from a single location. To calculate the maintenance dose, multiply the initial dose by 5.2.

We recommend inspecting the sewer line weekly, checking at least four or five manholes for grease buildup. After six months, if no significant buildup is detected, reduce the maintenance dose by 50% and continue to monitor.

Many operators choose a designated day of the week to apply the product. For particularly problematic lines, consider splitting the weekly dose in half and applying it twice a week. Mondays and Fridays are often good choices, as restaurants tend to generate the most grease over the weekend. While this is not a strict rule, consistency is key. Stick to the chosen days for the best results, as inconsistency in the program will lead to inconsistent outcomes.

By treating the grease-generating lines leading to the lift station with EHC-33™, you can significantly reduce grease buildup in the lift station itself. These lines are identified and treated with standard sewer line doses. Often, cleaning these lines will result in a cleaner lift station. While it may take a little time—and initially, you may notice an increase in grease as EHC-33™ breaks it down—the problem should be resolved within three to four months.

For best results, it's recommended to clean the lift station before starting the program. If cleaning beforehand isn't possible, take accurate measurements and photographs of the grease cap on day one to track progress.

If there’s a thick grease cap in the lift station, it’s important to punch holes in the cap to expose the water underneath. This is because bacteria in the water consume oxygen and release either hydrogen sulfide or carbon dioxide. These gases can lift the grease cap off the water’s surface, slowing down biological activity, which mainly occurs where the water meets the grease. Keep the holes open to maintain effective treatment. If needed, we can also provide a degreaser or emulsifier to temporarily soften and reduce the grease cap.

Even if the lift station has only one incoming line, it’s still possible to isolate and treat the grease-generating portion of the line at its source. Always investigate this option before treating the lift station directly.

After using EHC-33™ for several weeks, cleaning the walls of the lift station is easy—simply hose them down, and the grease will come off effortlessly.

Whether you’re treating lift stations or sewer lines, it's best to apply EHC-33™ to one or two manholes upstream. Always prioritize safety when choosing application spots.

EHC-33™ is easy to use, cost-effective, and safe, and our team is always available to support you throughout the process.

Flow Rate	Initial Dosage	Maintenance
Up to 1,000 GPD	½ lb. per day for 3 days	½ lb. per week
Up to 5,000 GPD	½ lb. per day for 3 days	1 lb. per week
Up to 20,000 GPD	5 lbs.*	1 ½ lb. per week
Up to 50,000 GPD	8 lbs.*	2 lb. per week
Up to 250,000 GPD	15 lbs.*	¼lb. per day
Up to 500,000 GPD	25 lbs.*	½lb. per day
Up to 1 MGD	50 lbs.*	1 lb. per day
Up to 5 MGD	50 lbs. per MGD*	1 lb. per MGD per day
Up to 12 MGD	50 lbs. per MGD*	¾ lb. per MGD per day
Up to 100 MGD	30 lbs. per MGD*	½ lb. per MGD per day

* Spread this initial dosage out over the course of 10 days.

* * Add as regularly as possible. If it is required to miss one day, add that day’s product with the next dosage.

Dosage rate will vary with flow rates, retention times and system variations.

Do not add to the treatment system at a location where toxic or otherwise adverse pH, dissolved oxygen or temperature conditions may exist at peak levels.

For optimal results the wastewater and treatment system should meet the following conditions:

	Optimum	Minimum
Influent pH	7.0	5.0
Dissolved oxygen, ppm	2.0+	1.0+
C/N/P ratio	100/10/1	100/5/1
Temperature	30°C (86°F)	10°C (50°F)
Toxic metals, ppm (E.g., hex., chromium)	0	0

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place

Handling: Wash hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water after handling

See label and SDS for safety information.