WQCS00149_NOV-2022-DV-0318 Response_20221123

Public Utilities Division
Mike Simmons
Utility Operations Superintendent
€1ECEIVE©/NCDEO/UWH
NOV 2 3 2022
WQROS
MOORESVILLE REGIONAL_ OFFICE
TO:
Andrew H. Pitner, P.G.,
Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
FROM: Mike Simmons
Utility Operations Superintendent
DATE: November 14, 2022
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation Response
Tracking Number: NOV-2022-DV-0318
Mr. Pitner:
I am writing in response to NOV-2022-DV-0318 that Lincoln County received in response to the SSO
that occurred on October 9th, 2022 at 3906 Rivendell Rd.
On October 9, 2022 at 7:30pm, we received a call that sewage was coming out of the ground at 3906
Rivendell Rd. Staff arrived at the location at 8:20pm and began shutting off Lift Stations that pump
into the force main. They dug a hole to contain the sewage and used a pumper truck to pump it up. The
flow was stopped at 9:00pm. The damaged section of pipe was cut out and replaced. An estimated
2,000 gallons of sewage hit the ground, and roughly 900 made its way to an unnamed cove on Lake
Norman.
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. No fish were killed as a result of the SSO.
4. Public Works worked closely with the Health Department to issue a "No Swim Advisory" as a
result of the SSO.
5. Public works staff had all necessary parts and tools to make the repair.
o. 704.736.8495 [e-mail] 9 115 W Main St, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Public Utilities Division
Mike Simmons
Utility Operations Superintendent
6. Quick response by Public Works Staff and reporting to Mooresville NCDEQ staff.
7. Our staff sampled the Point of Discharge, upstream and Downstream for fecal coliform twice
daily and received two consecutive results less than 200, by October 12, 2022. The "No Swim
Advisory" was canceled on October 13, 2022.
8. Public Works is installing an Air Relief Valve with integral surge alleviation at LS#25 in order
to protect this force main from future stress.
The above details and attached information are offered for your consideration in this important matter.
See attached:
SSO Report
No Swim Advisory
Cancelation of No Swim Advisory
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
4

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 I:
This form shall be submitted to the appropriate DWR Regional Office within five business days of the first knowledge of the
sanitary sewer overflow (SSO).
Permit Number: WQCS00149 (WQCS# if active, otherwise use WQCSD#)
Facility: Lincoln County Sewer System Incident #: Owner: Lincoln County
Region: Mooresville City: Denver County: Lincoln
Source of SSO (check applicable): Sanitary Sewer 0 Pump Station / Lift Station
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.): 3906 Rivendell Rd, Denver NC
Manhole #:
Latitude (degrees/minute/second): 35 31'24.9924" NLongitude (degrees/minute/second): 80 59' 38.1372"W
Incident Started Dt: 10-09-2022 Time: 7:30 pm Incident End Dt: 10-09-2022 Time: 9:00pm
(mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm) AM/PM (mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm) AM/PM
Estimated volume of the SSO: 2,000 gallons Estimated Duration (round to nearest hour): 2 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? ® Yes 0 No 0 Unknown
Volume reaching surface waters: 900 gallons Surface water name: Lake Norman
Did the SSO result in a fish kill? ❑ Yes ►/ No 0 Unknown
If Yes, what is the estimated number of fish killed?
SPECIFIC cause(s) of the SSO:
❑Severe Natural Conditions ❑ Grease 0Roots ❑Inflow & Infiltration
❑Pump Station Equipment Failure 0 Power Outage ❑Vandalism ❑ Debris in line Pipe Failure (Break)
❑Other (Please explain in Part II)
24-hour verbal notification (name of person contacted): Chris Creighton
❑DWR ElEmergency Management Date (mm-dd-yyy): 10-9-2022 Time: (hh:mm AM/PM): 10:33pm
Per G.S. 143-215.1 C(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.anotice 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 1i:
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 Tine (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 I/1 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 El 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 (i.e. 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 Toad?
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?
If Yes, explain:
❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
What security measures have been put in place to prevent similar ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
occurrences in the future?
Comments:
Form CS-SSO Page 9

Debris in line (Rocks, sticks, racis and other items not allowed in the collection system, etc.)
What type of debris has been found in the line?
Suspected cause or source of debris:
Are manholes in the area secure and intact?
When was the area last checked/cleaned?
Have cleaning and inspections ever been increased at this location
due to previous problems with debris?
Explain:
Are appropriate educational materials being developed and distributed
to prevent future similar occurrences?
Comments:
❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
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? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
If Yes, explain:
If the problem could not be immediately repaired, what actions ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑NA ❑ NE
were taken to lessen the impact of the SSO?
Comments:
Form CS-SSO Pagc I I

Pipe Failure (Break)
Pipe size (inches) 3
What is the pipe material PVC
What is the approximate age of the line/ pipe (years old) 17
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?
Was the leak at the joint due to gasket failure ?
Was the leak at the joint due to split bell?
❑ Yes ® No DNA ❑ NE
E Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
❑ Yes ®No DNA ❑ NE
❑Yes ®No DNA DI NE
® Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
❑ Yes ® No DNA ❑ NE
❑ Yes L No DNA ❑ NE
When was the last inspection or test of the nearest air -release valve to determine if operable? 8-23-2022
When was the last maintenance of the air release performed? 8-23-2022
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? The split piece of pipe was cut out and a new piece was put in place.
If temporary, when is the permanent repair planned?
Have there been other failures of this line in the past five years? ® Yes ❑ No DNA ❑ NE
If so, then describe There was a small leak on 5-23-2022 on this same line.
Form CS-SSO Page 12

System Visitation
ORC
Backup
Name: Michael Paul Simmons
Certification Number: 997855
Date visited: 10-09-2022
Time visited: 9:40 pm
How was the SSO remediated (i./e. Stopped and cleaned up)?
® Yes
❑ Yes
The pump station was turned off and the pumper truck sucked up the residual flow. The split piece of pipe was
cut out and replaced with new. Pooled up sewage was removed from the area and lime was spread on the
ground.
As a representative for the responsible party, 1 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: 10-12-2022
Signature:
5,411"Iik-072 Title: U+:lily O r -konS Saperi4!TAM
Telephone Number: 704-736-8495
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

ROY COOPER
Governor
EUZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
Certified Mail # 7020 3160 0000 3276 7860
Return Receipt Requested
November 8, 2022
Andrew C Bryant
Lincoln County
115 W Main St
Lincolnton, NC 28092
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2022-DV-0318
Sanitary Sewer Overflows - October 2022
Collection System Permit No. WQCS00149
E Lincoln County Collection System
Lincoln County
Dear Mr. Bryant:
The self -reported Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) 5-Day Report submitted by Lincoln County indicates violations of
permit conditions stipulated in the subject permit and North Carolina G.S. 143-215.1. Violations include failing to
effectively manage, maintain, and operate the subject collection system so that there is no SSO to the land or
surface waters and making an outlet to waters of the State for purposes of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1), for which a
permit is required.
Specific incident(s) cited in the subject report include the following:
Incident Start Duration
Number Date (Mins) Location
Cause
Total Vol
Total Surface
Vol Water
(Gals) (Gals) DWR Action
202201547 10/9/2022 90 3906 Rivendell Rd, Pipe Failure (Break) 2,000 900 Notice of Violation
Denver, NC, 28037
Remedial actions, if not already implemented, should be taken to correct the above noncompliance. Please submit
a written response to this Notice of Violation. Your response is to be received by the regional office within 15
business days following receipt of this violation. Please include any additional documentation about this incident(s)
in the response. The submittal will be considered in determining whether the Division will assess a civil penalty for
the cited violations.
D Q�
North Carolina Department of Emlronmeraal Quaffiy I DN61onof Water Re
Mooresville Regional Of1ke 1 610 Eau Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 Moo,e v9
704.663.1699
ounces
• North Carolina 28115

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Meilinger or me with the Water Quality Section
in the Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-1699 or via email at michael.meilingerOncdenr.gov or
andrew.pitner(ancdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
—DocuSigned by:
1)4044
`—F161 FB89A2D84A3...
Andrew H. Pitner, P.G.,
Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Cc: Mooresville Regional Office — WQS File
e-file Laserfiche
[e-mail]
North Carolina Department of Errvkonmental QuaEty I Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Reglooal Office l 610 East Center Avenue. Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704.663.1699

Lincoln County Health Department
200 Gamble Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
[phone]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SWIMMING ADVISORY ISSUED
(LINCOLN COUNTY — 3906 Rivendell Ln, Denver, North Carolina)
Contact: Lena Jones
Health Director
[e-mail]
October 9, 2022
The Lincoln County Health Director issued a Swimming Advisory at 11:00 pm Sunday, October 9, 2022
for a sewage spill at 3906 Rivendell Ln, Denver, North Carolina. Approximately 900 gallons of
untreated sewage may have leaked into Lake Norman behind 3989 Blue Dory Ln, Denver, NC. A
wastewater spill occurred due to a sewer forcemain break. The flow has been stopped and testing of
the discharge site has commenced.
As a preventive measure, the Health Director is advising all residents and boaters that this area may be
contaminated with fecal coliform. Residents and lake users are advised not to swim or otherwise have
bodily contact in that area. No Swimming Advisory signs will be posted, a public notification message
was sent to the properties affected and adjacent to the sewer spill site using a mass notification
system called Everbridge, and this release has been posted to the county's website
( .lincolncountv.orq).
The KCWWTP has starting taking water samples and results will be forwarded to the county Public
Works department who will notify the health department and public when it is clear to resume lake
activities in this area. Until at least two consecutive samples indicate fecal coliform counts <200/m1 at
all sampling sites, the swimming advisory will remain in effect. This decision is based on state
guidelines per the Mooresville Regional Office of the NC Division of Environmental Management.
Lena Jones, MPA
Lincoln County Health Director
For additional information please contact us at [phone] or visit us online at www.lincolncountv.orq.
/LincolnCountyHealth

Lincoln County Health Department
200 Gamble Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
[phone]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lena Jones
Health Director
[e-mail]
October 13, 2022
CANCELLATION OF SWIM ADVISORY NOTICE IN LINCOLN COUNTY
(LINCOLN COUNTY — 3906 Rivendell Ln, Denver, North Carolina, in Denver, North Carolina)
At 11:00 AM on October 13, 2022, the Lincoln County Health Director cancelled the Swimming Advisory
issued on October 9, 2022 for an area in Lake Norman where sewage may have leaked located behind
3989 Blue Dory Ln, in Denver, North Carolina. This decision to cancel the Advisory is based on daily
water sample testing conducted by Lincoln County Public Works from the sites at the affected area.
Lincoln County Environmental Health was notified today two consecutive samples showed test results
below the required maximum levels at the Killian Creek and Lake Norman sites, and all sampling at these
sites now meets the North Carolina Division of Water Quality standards and therefore the Swim Advisory
has been lifted.
The advisory was originally issued October 9, 2022 for a sewage spill at 3906 Rivendell Ln, Denver, North
Carolina when approximately 900 gallons of untreated sewage may have leaked into Lake Norman behind
3989 Blue Dory Ln, Denver, NC. A wastewater spill occurred due to a sewer forcemain break. Residents
in the immediate area are being notified of the cancellation today using the county's website and social
media accounts. The No Swimming signs will be removed today.
The general public can receive these type notices by enrolling in the county "Citizen Alert" system on
the county website, www.lincolncounty.orq — click on "Emergency Alerts."
For further information, please contact Lincoln County Environmental Health at 704-736-8426 or Public
Works at [phone].
Lena Jones, MPA
Lincoln County Health Director
For additional information please contact us at [phone] or visit us online at
www.lincolncountv.orq.
/LincolnCountyHealth