WQCS00060_NOV-2021-DV-0208 RSP_20210429

jolt/ram/A cee
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
PO BOX 2263
SMITHFIELD, NC 27577
[phone]
April 29, 2021
Mr. Scott Vinson
Raleigh Regional Office
NCDEQ DWR
1628 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1628
Re: Response to NOV-2021-DV-0208
Permit No. WQCS00060 - Johnston County Collection System
Dear Mr. Vinson:
In response to NOV-2021-DV-0208, the County offers the following information:
Incident Number 202100958:
• A local citizen contacted Johnston County at 10:17 am on March 1, 2021 to report a sewer odor
in the vicinity of 5347 Cornwallis Road.
• Johnston County staff immediately responded to the site after notification of a potential
problem.
• Upon arriving to the site, staff identified the problem was a failed ball check valve on the
resident's pressure sewer service that connects to the County's existing force main along
Cornwallis Road.
• The sewer service valve was shut-off immediately stopping the sewer spill.
• A portion of the spilled wastewater entered a ditch that flows to a private pond in the vicinity of
5402 Cornwallis Road. Staff blocked the ditch to prevent additional wastewater from flowing
downstream.
• The County secured two vacuum trucks to recover spilled wastewater from the site and
downstream ditch.
• The trucks transported recovered wastewater back into the County's collection system for
treatment.
• County staff used parts available on County trucks to immediately repair the sewer service check
valve.
• The accidental and unintentional spill was a result of mechanical failure.
Johnston County works aggressively to prevent sanitary sewer overflows and help protect the waters of
our area. Preventative measures include the following:
• Extensive staff training ensures staff is prepared for system operation and response related to
potential sewer spills.
• Staff use laptops to log into the SCADA system and monitor system operation from any location.
• Furthermore, staff is on -call and prepared to respond to any event.

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Mr. Vinson
April 29, 2021
• The County maintains an in-house supply of repair materials for all pipe sizes and many
electrical components and implements a detailed protocol for emergency response.
• The County maintains a close working relationship with several local contractors who provide
emergency response repairs, as needed.
Johnston County takes seriously our responsibility to protect public health and the environment and
strives to prevent sewer overflows. Please contact me at [phone] or
chandra.farmerfiiohnstonnc.com if you have any questions or need additional information regarding
this issue.
Sincerely,
Chandra C. Farmer, PE
Director of Utilities
cc: Rick J. Hester, County Manager
Eric Narron, Johnston County
Vanessa Manuel, Raleigh Regional Office
Mitchell Hayes, Raleigh Regional Office
Enclosures
1