Granted you'll probably wash more oil off your hands in the sink then your espresso machine dumping it down the drain.
Here's a long shot, a very long shot. The TCEQ list the House Bill 1979 Model Standards For a Grease Ordinance on there website.
http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assets/publ ... 9final.pdf
Section II
(e) Fats, oils, and greases (FOG) means organic polar compounds derived from animal and/or
plant sources that contain multiple carbon chain triglyceride molecules. These substances
are detectable and measurable using analytical test procedures established in 40 CFR 136,
as may be amended from time to time. All are sometimes referred to herein as "grease" or
"greases."
The kicker is this line here:
These substances are detectable and measurable using analytical test procedures established in 40 CFR 136, as may be amended from time to time.
Mostly you should be interested in 40 CFR 136. God bless the Feds and their online publications. 40 CFR 136 is in reference to:
Title 40--Protection of Environment
CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
PART 136--GUIDELINES ESTABLISHING TEST PROCEDURES FOR THE ANALYSIS OF POLLUTANTS
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wais ... 36_03.html
So your going to have to dive a little deeper and look into section 136.3 Identification of test procedures to find your pollutant. As far as I know coffee isn't listed. So your only avenue left is to contact the EPA directly.
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/
If you can convince the Feds that coffee is practically harmless you will forever be known in the coffee world. But in all honesty the EPA needs find out how much grease coffee and espresso releases as waste. My best guess would be not very much and you would fall under any minimums.
But I don't foresee this working to your advantage and you will most likely find it easier to purchase the smallest system you can buy.
