Received a water company letter about grease?
If a water authority has contacted your site about grease entering the sewer network, the next step is usually to understand what is already in place, whether it is working properly and what response the site can support with confidence.
What it usually means
This is usually a site-review problem before it is a buying problem
A water company letter often means the site needs to show that its grease-management arrangement is suitable, maintained and capable of reducing risk to the sewer network. The right answer is not always a brand-new unit. Sometimes it is a proper survey, a servicing reset, better reporting or a better-matched system.
Common signals
What usually brings operators to this page
- • A letter or notice about fats, oils and grease entering the sewer network
- • A request for evidence, site details, a survey or a recommendation
- • A site that already has a grease trap but is still under pressure
- • Uncertainty over whether the current setup is suitable, maintained or defensible
What to do next
A stronger response usually starts with these steps
Most operators do not need jargon first. They need a clearer picture of what is on site, what is missing and what action is likely to satisfy the concern without wasting money in the wrong place.
Keep the letter and note any response deadline or requested evidence.
Review what is already on site: trap type, servicing history, drainage issues and earlier recommendations.
Get the kitchen surveyed properly before assuming the answer is simply to buy a new unit.
Work out whether the site needs better servicing, clearer reporting, an upgrade or a different system altogether.
Respond with a site-based recommendation you can stand behind rather than guesswork.
Why it matters
Do not ignore the letter, but do not rush into the wrong fix either
The strongest response is usually a practical one: understand the site properly, show what is already in place, and take the next step that genuinely reduces grease risk rather than just sounding decisive.
Deadlines and evidence requests can escalate pressure quickly
Many letters ask the operator to explain what is on site already, what action is being taken and how the grease risk will be controlled going forward.
The problem is often wider than just buying a new unit
Sites can come under pressure because records are weak, servicing has slipped, the trap is undersized or the current arrangement no longer matches kitchen output.
A weak reply can lead to extra cost and stronger intervention later
If the site cannot show a credible plan, the issue can move from an uncomfortable letter into a more expensive operational problem involving follow-up visits, recharge pressure or formal enforcement steps.
Typical response timeline
Most sites do better with a quick sequence than a panicked purchase
Operators often feel they need an immediate product answer. In practice, the stronger route is usually to assess the site quickly, decide what genuinely needs changing and then reply with confidence.
Review the letter properly
Check the deadline, requested evidence and whether the letter is asking about the current setup, servicing history, a survey or corrective action.
Assess the real site position
Work out what trap or system is already in place, what servicing trail exists, whether drains are causing concern and where the current setup may be vulnerable.
Decide what actually fixes the risk
That may be a servicing reset, clearer reporting, a survey-led recommendation, an upgrade or a replacement — not every site needs the same answer.
Reply with something defensible
A calm site-based response is usually stronger than guesswork. The key is being able to explain what is there, what is changing and why that plan is sensible.
What helps
What to have ready before you respond
A faster, calmer response usually starts with getting the useful site information into one place before anyone guesses at the fix.
- • The letter or notice itself, including any response deadline
- • Any servicing records, reports or photos you already have
- • Basic details on the current grease trap or grease-management setup
- • Notes on smells, blockages, overflows or repeat drainage issues
- • Any earlier recommendations, landlord requests or contractor comments
- • A clear point of contact so the next step does not stall internally
Real enquiry pattern
Severn Trent Water and Anglian Water are common enquiry routes into Actem
A lot of these enquiries reaching Actem come through Severn Trent Water and Anglian Water. But the same core approach also applies when a site is contacted by another water authority anywhere in the UK.
What operators often miss
Having a grease trap already installed does not automatically answer the letter
A site can still face pressure if the current setup is undersized, poorly maintained, not matched to the kitchen output, or lacking the servicing and reporting needed to back up the response properly.
Common questions
What people usually want answered quickly
What does a water company letter about grease usually mean?
It usually means the site needs to show that its grease-management arrangement is suitable, maintained and capable of reducing risk to the sewer network. That may involve a survey, better servicing records, an upgrade or a different setup depending on what is already in place.
Do I automatically need a new grease trap if I receive a letter?
Not always. Some sites already have a grease-management setup, but it may be undersized, poorly maintained, wrongly located or simply not well matched to the way the kitchen actually operates. A survey is often the better first step.
Which water authorities does this apply to?
The same issue can arise with water authorities across the UK. Severn Trent Water and Anglian Water are common enquiry routes into Actem, but the same site-led response also applies when the letter comes from another authority.
Can I respond properly if the site already has a grease trap installed?
Yes, but the response needs to be honest about whether the existing setup is actually right for the kitchen, properly maintained and backed by clear servicing or reporting. Having a unit on site does not automatically settle the issue.
What is the best first step after receiving a letter?
For most commercial kitchens, the best first step is to review the actual site setup with someone who can assess what is already there, what is missing and what action is likely to resolve the concern without wasting money in the wrong place.
Seen in the field
Relevant proof and next reading
Start here if the letter is specifically from Severn Trent Water and you want the more targeted version of this issue.
Helpful when the current arrangement exists but does not feel robust enough for the site now.
Helpful when the pressure may be tied to a trap that is no longer right for actual kitchen demand.
Helpful when you need the site assessed properly and want a clear recommendation rather than guesswork.
Written by Actem
This guide was written by Actem’s grease management team for commercial kitchens dealing with water-authority pressure, compliance concerns and the need for a clear site-led next step.
Start with a conversation
Need help responding to a water company letter?
If your site has been contacted about grease entering the sewer network, Actem can help you review the setup, survey the kitchen and work out the right next step with confidence.