wqcs00294_NOV-2019-PC-0662 Response_20191028

MAYOR
Cheryl Oliver
MAYOR PRO-TEM
Jacqueline Lacy
COUNCILMEMBERS
Tommy Holmes
Mark Petersen
Ann Williams
luskm � TOWN MANAGER
Steven Hicks
TOWN CLERK
Jamie Whitley
mMA TOWN ATTORNEY
-433�-- Alan "Chip" Hewett
TNB co"BROADB OF TRADITION ANO INNOVATION
Rick Bolick, L.G. Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
SUBJECT: NOV Letter Response
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0662
Permit No. WQCS00294
Mr. Bolick:
NC Dept of Environmental Quality
(-Jr r z 8 2019
Raleigh Regional Office
The Town of Selma has and is taking immediate action to resolve issues that contributed to an SSO at
the Johnston County Lift Station on September 7, 2019 during Hurricane Dorian.
Since Hurricane Florence, the Town of Selma has experienced an extreme increase of Inflow and
Infiltration (1&1) into the Town of Selma sewer system. On April 171h, 2019 the Town of Selma reached
out to WithersRavenei for assistance identifying potential sources of I&I.On May 10, 2019 the Town
pursued a Golden LEAF Disaster Recovery (GLF-DR) grant to study the effects of Hurricane Florence
on the sewer system. The Town was awarded a GLF-DR grant of $142,000 to study the sanitary sewer
impacts of Hurricane Florence on June 6, 2019. Contracting began shortly after and work began
immediately on the GLF-DR Sanitary Sewer Evaluation and Study (SSES) Project. (Application
documents provided shared Dropbox).
The Tasks associated with the GLF-DR grant area as follows:
Task 1-- Surveying Services
1.1 — Data Acquisition (Complete)
1.2 — GPS Manhole Locations and Internal 360 degree photography (Complete)
1.3 — GIS connectivity and QC (Complete)
Task 2 — Flow Monitoring (Scheduled for November)
Task 3 — Smoke Testing (Complete)
Task 4 — Report (Preliminary Draft Complete - Pending Flow Monitoring)
All documents associated with the GLF-DR SSES Project are included as supporting information with
this letter. Upon completion of smoke testing, the Town identified a multitude of missing clean out
caps in low lying areas that were contributing I&I to the system. All of the caps have been repaired
and a clean out cap education program is being developed to inform the public of the importance of
keeping storm water out of the sewer system.
114 N. Raiford Street - Selma, NC 27576 - P: [phone] - F: [phone] - www.selma-nc.com

Other areas of major I&I entry that were identified are associated with storm drainage inlets. One
area showing signs of extreme I&I was determined to be eligible for potential CDBG-I funding. An
application was developed and submitted on September 30, 2019. If funded, the CDBG-I project
would rehabilitate/replace approximately 6,505LF of sewer and rehabilitate / replace 33 manholes.
(Application documents provided shared Dropbox).
Additionally, an amendment to the GLF-DR application was submitted on October 18, 2019
requesting $824,370 to rehabilitate / replace 3,990LF of gravity sewer in five (5) different locations
associated with storm drainage failures attributed to Hurricane Florence. The Town of Selma is
hopeful this funding will be made available and repair to this portion of the sewer system could begin
within a few short months. (Application documents provided shared Dropbox).
To support the modification of the GLF-DR grant, the Town of Selma has begun to CCTV gravity sewer
mains that are likely candidates of extreme I&I based on age, material, and smoke testing results.
Some of the video captures are included with the letter. (Application documents provided shared
Dropbox).
The Town of Selma is taking all necessary steps to reduce the I&I issues that have occurred since
Hurricane Florence. The Town of Selma is experiencing approximately $720K of additional annual
sewer treatment costs as a result of the sudden increase of I&I. This increase in operational expense
further complicates the ability to resolve issues.
The lack of resources has been a driving force to identify funding opportunities to resolve very costly
repairs. In addition, the Town of Selma has limited personnel and capability to complete repairs.
Lastly, the Town of Selma recently replaced their Interim Town Manager and Interim Public Works
Director with permanent replacements. With the addition of permanent staff in key leadership
positions, the Town of Selma can now set a long-term vision on how to address the I&I issues for the
next decade.
The Mayor and Town Council are committed to resolve the sewer issues. The Mayor, Town Council,
and staff are actively engaged together to identify immediate reductions in I&I and to develop a
sustainable path forward for the large capital projects that will be required for years to come.
The Town of Selma welcomes the opportunity to discuss any of our current and future plans to reduce
I&I in greater detail with all stakeholders. We are hopeful that this response to the NOV letter
demonstrates the Town of Selma's commitment to resolving these issues and prevent a future SSO.
Sincerely,
L Q�_
Cheryl Oliver, Mayor
Town of Selma
100 N Raiford St
Selma, NC 27576-2833
Attachments:
Shared Dropbox
https 11www.dropbox.com/sh/w2l8uwbox8i40Ow/AADmLQKiMEPOZFDK6kP!2KiFaa?dl=0
cc: Steven Hicks, Town Manager
114 N. Raiford Street • Selma, NC 27576 • P: [phone] 9 F: [phone] • www.selma-nc.com