WQCS00060_NOV-2021-DV-0452 RSP_20211104

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DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
PO BOX 2263
SMITHFIELD, NC 27577
[phone]
November 4, 2021
Mr. Scott Vinson
Raleigh Regional Office
NCDEQ DWR
1628 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1628
Re: Response to NOV-2021-DV-0452
Permit No. WQCS00060 - Johnston County Collection System
Dear Mr. Vinson:
In response to NOV-2021-DV-0452, the County offers the following information:
Incident Number 202101911:
• On September 14, 2021, the Town of Smithfield notified Johnston County of a report from a
retail industrial customer of a potential surcharge of the existing gravity sewer outfall.
• Johnston County staff immediately responded to the site after notification of a potential
problem.
• Upon arriving to the site, staff inspected the sewer outfall and located a spill in the vicinity of
175 Peedin Road, Smithfield.
• Wastewater pump stations tributary to the interceptor were immediately shut-off, and storage
capacity in the pump station wetwells was used while staff identified and corrected the
problem.
• The sewer spill appeared to be a result of a line obstruction.
• The County secured two vacuum trucks to jet and clean the gravity sewer main.
• The trucks transported recovered wastewater back into the County's collection system for
treatment.
• The blockage appeared to be due to grease in the main.
• The sewer main was thoroughly cleaned and the spill area was lightly limed.
Johnston County works aggressively to prevent sanitary sewer overflows and help protect the waters of
our area. Preventative measures include the following:
• Routine inspections: The gravity sewer interceptor was inspected in 2020 and previously
thoroughly cleaned in 2018.
• The County has an active FOG program to educate customers and inspect all facilities that have
the potential to generate grease discharge. Grease traps/interceptors are required for those
establishments and routinely inspected.
• 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.

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Mr. Vinson
November 4, 2021
• Furthermore, staff is on -call and prepared to respond to any event.
• 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.
• The County owns and operates a vacuum truck and maintains contact with contractors to
provide this service.
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
[e-mail] if you have any questions or need additional information regarding
this issue.
Sincerely,
cam, cois ••-
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