WQCS00149_NOV-2022-DV-0182 Response_20220720

Public Utilities Division
Mike Simmons
Utility Operations Superintendent
RECEIVED/NCDEQ/DWR
AUG I 2022
MO RESVILWQRS
LE REGIONAL OFFICE
TO:
Corey Basinger
Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
FROM: Mike Simmons
Utility Operations Superintendent
DATE: July 20, 2022
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation Response
Tracking Number: NOV-202-DV-0182
Mr. Bassinger:
I am writing in response to NOV-2022-DV-0182 that Lincoln County received in response to the SSO
that occurred on June 30th, 2022 at the NC Hwy 16 ramp to NC Hwy 73.
On June 30, 2022 at 2:12pm, we received a call that sewage was leaking at from a manhole near the
intersection of NC Hwy 16 and NC Hwy 73. Staff arrived at the location at 3:30pm and began using a
pumper truck to pump from the upstream manhole to limit the amount overflow. A second crew
began jetting from the downstream manhole in attempt to break up the clog. The flow was severely
slowed down and eventually stopped at 9:11pm. The clog was broke free at 9:35 and flow returned to
normal. Excess sewage was pumped out of the ditch and lime was applied to the area. We determined
that someone had dumped a large amount of rags into the sewage system, causing a clog. As a result
of this clog, Lincoln County has enhanced educating our customers on the importance of not flushing
items that are detrimental to our system.
Lincoln County Public Works will continue to work diligently to fully comply with our NCDEQ
Permit #WQCS00149. We also ask that you consider the following:
1. Public Works staff worked quickly to stop the SSO.
2. There was no impact to the Public Health.
3. There was no fish kills.
o. 704.736.8495
[e-mail] n, 115 W Main St, Lincolnton, NC 28092

•
Public Utilities Division
Mike Simmons
Utility Operations Superintendent
4. No recreation areas were closed as a result of the SSO.
5. Public works staff had all necessary parts and tools to make the repair.
6. Quick response by Public Works Staff and reporting to Mooresville NCDEQ staff.
7. Lincoln County has enhanced educating the public on which items need to be thrown away as
opposed to flushed.
8. Public Works inspected the entire outfall from the intersection of NC Hwy 16 Business and NC
Hwy 73 to PS#15 A and B.
9. Public Works has made that outfall line critical due to the spill and it will be evaluated every
six month or twice a year.
10. The outfall line is scheduled to be inspected by camera in the above area to insure there are no
pipe defects due to faulty installation or construction in the area.
The above details and attached information are offered for your consideration in this important matter.
See attached:
SSO Report
Educational hand out
Cordially,
Mike Simmons
Utility Operations Superintendent
Public Utilities Division
704-736-8495
o. 704.736.8495
[e-mail] 115 W Main St, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Division of Water Resources
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Resources
Collection System Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reporting Form
Form CS-SSO
PART 1:
This form shall be submitted to the appropriate DWR Regional Office within five business days of the first kno
sanitary sewer overflow (SSO).
Permit Number: WQCS00149 (WQCS# if active, otherwise use WQCSD#)
Facility: Lincoln County Sewer System Incident #:
Region: Mooresville City: Denver
Source of SSO (check applicable): ® Sanitary Sewer
Owner: Lincoln County
County: Lincoln
❑ Pump Station / Lift Station
IVUMCDEQ/DWR
AUG I 2022
S
MOORESVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
SPECIFIC location of the SSO (be consistent in description from past reports or documentation - i.e. Pump
Station 6, Manhole at Westall & Bragg Street, etc.): NC Hwy 16 median at NC Hwy 73
Manhole #:
Latitude (degrees/minute/second): 35 26'59.7559" NLongitude (degrees/minute/second): 81 0' 30.0632"W
Incident Started Dt: 6-30-2022
(mm-dd-yyyy)
Time: 2:12 pm Incident End Dt: 6-30-2022 Time: 9:1 1pm
(hh:mm) AM/PM (mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm) AM/PM
Estimated volume of the SSO: 10,000 gallons Estimated Duration (round to nearest hour): 6 hour(s)
Describe how the volume was determined: Visual observation of the amount of flow mulitpied by the time
Weather conditions during the SSO event: clear
Did the SSO reach surface waters? ►.1 Yes ❑ No ❑ Unknown
Volume reaching surface waters: 6,000 gallons Surface water name: Forney Creek Tributary 1A
Did the SSO result in a fish kill? ❑ Yes ® No ❑ Unknown
If Yes, what is the estimated number of fish killed?
SPECIFIC cause(s) of the SSO:
❑Severe Natural Conditions ❑ Grease DRoots ❑Inflow & Infiltration
❑Pump Station Equipment Failure ❑ Power Outage ❑Vandalism Eg Debris in line ❑Pipe Failure (Break)
DOther (Please explain in Part II)
24-hour verbal notification (name of person contacted): Tony Parker
®DWR ❑Emergency Management Date (mm-dd-yyy): 6-30-2022 Time: (hh:mm AM/PM): 4:56 pm
Per G.S. 143-215.1C(b), the owner or operator of any wastewater collection system shall:
In the event of a discharge of 1,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater to the surface waters of the State, issue
a press release to all print and electronic news media that provide general coverage in the county where the
discharge occurred setting out the details of the discharge. The press release shall be issued within 24 hours after
the owner or operator has determined that the discharge has reached surface waters of the State.
In the event of a discharge of 15,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater to the surface waters of the State,
publish a notice of the discharge in a newspaper having general circulation in the county in which the discharge
occurs and in each county downstream from the point of discharge that is significantly affected by the discharge. The
Regional Office shall determine which counties are significantly affected by the discharge and shall approve the form
and content of the notice and the newspapers in which the notice is published.
WHETHER OF NOT PART II IS COMPLETED, A SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED SEE PAGE 13
Form CS-SSO Page 1

In order to submit a claim for justification of an SSO, you must use Part II of form CS-SSO with additional documentation as
necessary. DWR staff will review the justification claim and determine if enforcement action is appropriate.
PART 11:
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FOR EACH RELATED CAUSE CHECKED IN PART I OF THIS FORM AND
INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION AS REQUIRED OR DESIRED
COMPLETE ONLY THOSE SECTONS PERTAINING TO THE CAUSE OF THE SSO AS CHECKED IN PART I
(In the check boxes below, NA = Not Applicable and NE = Not Evaluated)
A HARDCOPY OF THIS FORM SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE DWR REGIONAL OFFICE UNLESS
IS HAS BEEN SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE ONLINE REPORTING SYSTEM
Form CS-SSO Page 2

Severe Natural Conditions (hurricane, tornado, etc.)
Describe the "severe natural condition" in detail:
How much advance warning did you have and what actions were taken in preparation for the event?
Comments:
Form CS-SSO Page 3

Grease (Documentation such as cleaning, inspection, enforcement actions, past overflow reports, educational
material and distribution date, etc, should be available upon request.)
When was the last time this specific line (or wet well) was cleaned?
Do you have an enforceable grease ordinance that requires new or retrofit of
grease traps/interceptors? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE
Have there been recent inspection and/or enforcement actions taken on near-
by restaurants or other nonresidential grease contributors? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Explain:
Have there been other SSOs or blockages in this areas that were also caused
by grease ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
When?
If yes, describe them:
Have cleaning and inspections ever been done at this location? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Explain.
Have educational material about grease been distributed in the past? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
When:
and to whom:
Explain:
If the SSO occurred at a pump station, when was the wet well and pumps last checked
for grease accumulation:
Were the floats clean?
Comments:
❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Form CS-SSO Page 4

Roots
Do you have an active root control program on the line / area in question? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Describe;
Have cleaning and inspections ever been increased at this location because
of roots? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Explain:
What corrective actions have been accomplished at the SSO location (and
surrounding system if associated with the SSO)?
What corrective actions are planned at the SSO location to reduce root intrusion?
Has the line been smoke tested or videoed within the past year? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
If Yes, when?
Comments:
Form CS-SSO Page 5

Inflow and Infiltration
Are you under an SOC (Special Order by Consent) or do you have a schedule ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
in any permit that addresses I/1?
Explain if Yes:
What corrective actions have been taken to reduce or eliminate I & I related overflows this spill location
within the last year?
Has there been any flow studies to determine I/1 problems in the ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
collection system at the SSO location?
If Yes, when was the study completed and what actions did it recommend?
Has the line been smoke tested or videoed within the past year? ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
If Yes, when and what actions are necessary and the status of such actions:
Are there 1/I related projects in your Capital Improvement Plan? ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
If Yes, explain:
Have there been any grant or loan applications for I/1 reduction projects? ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
If Yes, explain:
Do you suspect any major sources of inflow or cross connections ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
with storm sewers?
If Yes, explain:
Have all lines contacting surface waters in the SSO location and upstream ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
been inspected recently?
If Yes, explain:
What other corrective actions are planned to prevent future I/1 related SSOs at this location?
Comments:
Form CS-SSO Page 6

Pump Station Equipment Failure (Documentation of testing records, etc should be provided upon request)
What kind of notification/alarm systems are present?
Auto-dialer/telemetry (one-way communication) ❑ Yes
Audible ❑ Yes
Visual ❑ Yes
SCADA (two-way communication) ❑ Yes
Emergency Contact Signage ❑ Yes
Other ❑ Yes
If Yes, explain:
Describe the equipment that failed:
What kind of situations trigger an alarm condition at this station (Le. pump failure, power failure, high water, etc.)?
Were notification/alarm systems operable? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
In no, explain:
If a pump failed, when was the last maintenance and/or inspection performed?
What specifically was checked/maintained?
If a valve failed, when was it last exercised?
Were all pumps set to alternate? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Did any pump show above normal run times prior to and during the SSO event? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Were adequate spare parts on hand to fix the equipment ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Was a spare or portable pump immediately available? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
If a float problem, when were the floats last tested? How?
If an auto -dialer or SCADA, when was the system last tested? How?
Comments:
Form CS-SSO Page 7

Power outage (Documentation of testing, records, tec., should be provided of alternative power source upon
request.)
What is your alternate power or pumping source?
Did it function properly?
Describe?
When was the alternate power or pumping source last tested under load?
If caused by a weather event, how much advance warning did you have and what actions were taken to prepare for the
event?
Comments:
❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
Form CS-SSO Page 8

Vandalism
Provide police report number:
Was the site secured?
If Yes, how?
Have there been previous problems with vandalism at the SSO location?
❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
If Yes, explain:
What security measures have been put in place to prevent similar ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
occurrences in the future?
Comments:
i'orrn CS-SSO Page 9

Debris in line (Rocks, sticks, rags and other items not allowed in the collection system, etc.)
What type of debris has been found in the line? Rags such as paper towls and wipes
Suspected cause or source of debris: unknown
Are manholes in the area secure and intact?
When was the area last checked/cleaned? 5/24/2022
Have cleaning and inspections ever been increased at this location
due to previous problems with debris?
® Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
❑ Yes No ❑NA ❑ NE
Explain:
Are appropriate educational materials being developed and distributed ® Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
to prevent future similar occurrences?
Comments: A reverse 911 call is going out to the customers today and educational material will be sent out with
the next bill run.
Form CS-SSO Page 10

Other (Pictures and police report, as applicable, must be available upon request.)
Describe:
Were adequate equipment and resources available to fix the problem?
If Yes, explain: A jetter was used to clear the glog.
If the problem could not be immediately repaired, what actions
were taken to lessen the impact of the SSO?
® Yes ❑ No LINA ❑ NE
❑Yes No ❑NA El NE
Comments: On June 30, 2022 at 2.12pm we were made aware of a SSO. Staff arrived and began jetting to
break up the clog, a pumper truck was used to pull sewage from upstream of the clog and dump it down stream
to limit the amount spilled. The clog was eventually broke up flow returned to normal.
Form CS-SSO Page 1 I

Pipe Failure (Break)
Pipe size (inches)
What is the pipe material
What is the approximate age of the line! pipe (years old)
Is this a gravity line?
Is this a force main line?
Is the line a "High Priority" line?
Last inspection date and findings
If a force main then,
Was the break on the force main vertical?
Was the break on the force main horizontal?
❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
Was the leak at the joint due to gasket failure ? ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
Was the leak at the joint due to split bell? ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
When was the last inspection or test of the nearest air -release valve to determine if operable?
When was the last maintenance of the air release performed?
If gravity sewer then,
Does the line receive flow from a force main immediately upstream ❑ Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
of the failed section of pipe?
If yes, what measures are taken to control the hydrogen sulfide production?
When was the line last inspected or videoed?
If line collapsed, what is the condition of the line up and down stream of the failure?
What type of repair was made?
If temporary, when is the permanent repair planned?
Have there been other failures of this line in the past five years? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
If so, then describe
Forst CS-SSO Page 12

System Visitation
ORC
Backup
Name: Michael Paul Simmons
Certification Number: 997855
Date visited: 6-30-2022
Time visited: 4:03 pm
How was the SSO remediated (i./e. Stopped and cleaned up)?
® Yes
111 Yes
The glog was dislogged using a fetter. A pumper truck was used to clean up the area, Lime was placed on
grass surfaces.
As a representative for the responsible party, I certify that the information contained in this report is true and accurate to the
best of my knowledge.
Person submitting claim: Michael P. Simmons Date: 7-5-2022
Signature:
Telephone Number: 704-736-8497
Title: U1 i;+y Otte tivis 5✓�"1�1+"W.&�
Any additional information desired to be submitted should be sent to the appropriate Division Regional Office within five
business days of first knowledge of the SSO with reference to the incident number (the incident number is only generated
when electronic entry of this form is completed, if used).
Form CS-SSO Page 13

Paper towels
Cleaning wipes
BaWipes
Disbyposable diapers
Q-tips
Moist towelettes
Prescription drugs or
pharrnaceut)cals -_
pairs and replacemeri
kt wipes, Si'an
Lincoln County Public Utilities
115 West Main Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092
[phone]

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTHSCAROLINA
Environmental Quality
Certified Mail # 7018 3090 0001 2322 8499
Return Receipt Requested
July 12, 2022
Olan Chris Henderson, Division Manager Public Utilities
Lincoln County
115 W Main St
Lincolnton, NC 28092
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ISSUE CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking No.: NOV-2022-DV-0182
Sanitary Sewer Overflows - June 2022
Collection System Permit No. WQCS00149
E Lincoln County Collection System
Lincoln County
Dear Mr. Henderson:
A review has been conducted of the self -reported Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO's) 5-Day Report's submitted by
Lincoln County. The Division's Mooresville Regional Office concludes that the Lincoln County violated Permit
Condition I (2) of Permit No. WQCS00149 by failing to effectively manage, maintain, and operate their collection
system so that there is no SSO (Sanitary Sewer Overflow) to the land or surface waters and the SSO constituted
making an outlet to waters of the State for purposes of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1), for which a permit is required by
G.S. 143-215.1.
The Mooresville Regional Office is providing the Lincoln County an opportunity to provide evidence and justification
as to why the Lincoln County should not be assessed a civil penalty for the violation(s) that are summarized
below:
Incident Start Duration
Number Date (Mins) Location
Cause
Total Vol
Total Surface
Vol Water
(Gals) (Gals) DWR Action
202201010 6/30/2022 419 NC Highways 16 & 73 Debris in line
10,000 6,000 Notice of Violation
Intent To Enforce
North Catobna thpatImtnl of [n.trONnenlal Quality ' O:HSRn of MIN Rtsourt es
Mooresville RegtenalOtrte b10ia+t Center Accrue. SION 301 I A1xrmlllt. Vglh Carolina MPS
704 bhl Ib'NI

This Notice of Violation / Notice of Intent to Enforce (NOV/NOI) is being issued for the noted violation. Pursuant
to G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed
against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any
permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1.
This office requests that you respond to this Notice, in writing, within 10 business days of its
receipt. In your response, you should address the causes of non-compliance, remedial actions, and all other
actions taken to prevent the recurrence of similar situations. The response to this correspondence will be
considered in this process. Enforcement decisions will also be based on volume spilled, volume reaching surface
waters, duration and gravity, impacts to public health, fish kills or recreational area closures. Other factors
considered in determining the amount of the civil penalty are the violator's history of non-compliance, the cost of
rectifying the damage, whether the spill was intentional and whether money was saved by non-compliance.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Mellinger or me with the Water Quality Section
in the Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-1699 or via email at michael.meilingerOncdenr.gov or
core y. basinnerC�ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
A14CC681AF27425...
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Cc: Mooresville Regional Office - WQS File
Central Files, Water Quality Section
North Cara. Department ofEndo onmrntalQu.3t31 Ovisnnaf Want Resources
Moortvv /legkv+.l011kt: 610tau Ctnkr Avenue. Sao. 301 i 6kortt+Jk.Path Cara.na 20113
701663 W'M