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.
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.
Useful if the current arrangement exists but does not feel robust enough for the site now.
Useful if the pressure may be tied to a trap that is no longer right for actual kitchen demand.
Useful if 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.