WQCS00003_NOI_NOV2022DV0282_Response_#2_20221024

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nn-Salem /Forsyth County
P"to
er •Wastewater •Solid Waste
Administration, P.O. Box 2511, Winston-Salem, NC 27102
336-727-8000 • w0cutilities.org
October 24, 2022
Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
450 W. Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Re: Sanitary Sewer Overflow Civil Penalties Incident #202201354
Dear Mr. Snider:
This letter serves as the official response from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities to the Notice of
Intent to Enforce Civil Penalty for the sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) Incident #202201354 due to
inadvertently bypass pumping into an abandoned sewer main.
On August 23, 2022, at 10am, an SSO occurred behind 415 Northwest Boulevard in Winston-Salem. A
contractor redirected flow into an abandoned line. The section used for bypass had been scheduled for
removal from GIS. As soon as the contractor discovered the problem, they ceased pumping into this line
and moved the bypass to another nearby main. They reported the incident to our department staff on
August 25. Our first responders were immediately dispatched and a report was sent to DEQ at 4pm. The
creek was flushed with fresh water for eight hours. Our staff also immediately followed cleaning
protocol and updated GIS to reflect current system conditions. While this incident was unprecedented
and unfortunate, it has served as a reminder to our contractors that they must notify us immediately if
there is an SSO.
WSFC Utilities has consistently reduced SSOs since launching our Collection System Improvement
Program in 2016 and has strategies designed to increase our high level of performance. Our 2021-2022
fiscal year had the lowest number of SSOs since reporting began in 1999 with a total of 55 reportable
and non -reportable spills. We are currently on -track to match and hopefully improve that record this
fiscal year.
City CouncH: Mayor Agen Jet., Denise D. Adams, Maya, Pro Tempore. North WM; Barbare Hanes Burk, Northeast Ward; RPLert C dark, West Ward;
John C Larson, South Ward; Jeff Madrucub, Northwest Ward; Kahn Murk, Southwest Ward; Annette Scippo, East Ward; James Ta*r, Jr.Soudseat Ward;
City Manager. Lee D. GarrbY
Courdy Davk k MYler, Chair; Don Martin, Y6e Chair; Fleming El -Amin; Ted Kaplan; Richard V. tlmdle; Tama McDaniel; Glarus D. Whlsenhunt
Call 311 or 336-727-8000 Enen4'Mana,,ar:Mle,Wants, Jr.
WFabrHSekMForyyM County MKy Commbabn: L. Wesley Curtis, Jr., dwir; Chris Parker, Vice chair, Simpson O. Brown, Jr.; Hamk Eustade; Tom Grl(hn;
[e-mail] Yvonne H. Nines; Hugh W. Jernigan; Duane mn& Charles Wien, Men Younger

I hope this information is helpful with your investigation of Incident #202201354. If you require
additional information, please contact me at 336-747-7315.
Sincerely,
Courtney Driver, P.E.
Utilities Director
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I
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cc: Michael Stover, P.E., Deputy Utilities Director -Operations
Kenny Atkins, Utilities Field Operations Manager
Antonio Martinez, ORC
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