Alexander City restaurants that fail to comply with a new grease ordinance have less than one week before they face fines and penalties from the city.

The ordinance, which was passed by the city council of Alexander City earlier this year, will take effect in 2010. It will permit city officials to inspect the grease trap system of any business or organization that serves food in the city. Based on those inspections they will either approve the food service provider’s existing system, or they will require the provider to make improvements to come into compliance.