WQCS00025_NOI_NOV2021DV0445_Response_20211027

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Water Resources Division
146 N Church Street
PO Box iio6
Asheboro, NC 27204-lio6
October 27, 2021
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CITY OF
A_ sHEBORO
NORTH CAROL INA
Mr. Lon T. Snider
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
450 Hanes Mill Rd
Suite 300
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
Re: Response to Notice of Violation & Intent to Issue Civil Penalty
Tracking No.: NOV 2021-DV-0445
Dear Mr. Snider:
Tel: 336-626-i2o1 Ext. 258
Fax:[phone]
NC Department of
Enviro Received
entalluality
OCT 2 9 2021
Winston-c�'.F'
Region3! -2
This letter is written in response to the above referenced letter of correspondence from your office
for the sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's) experienced on August 7 and 18, 2021 at Lift Station
Number 3, 1129 E. Mine Street due to inflow and infiltration related to heavy rainfall events.
The SSO on August 7, 2021 at LS # 3 (Incident # 202101755) was due to I & I because of the
heavy rainfall. The City of Asheboro Water Plant measured over 2" of rain in 3 hours. Our region
was under a flash flood warning for this event and several flooded areas were reported.
Maintenance staff responded to the alarm and evaluated the site to monitor the flow. Laboratory
sampling was conducted upstream and downstream of the site and no environmental impact was
measured.
The SSO on August 18, 2021 at LS # 3 (Incident # 202101779) was due to I & I because of the
heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Fred. Measured rain for this event was V on top of
1 " received over the previous three days. Maintenance staff responded to the alarm and evaluated
the site to monitor the flow. Laboratory sampling was conducted upstream and downstream of the
site and no environmental impact was measured.
The City is in the planning/design stage for an upgrade to this station. The City has been awarded
funding from NCDEQ Division of Water Infrastructure and is waiting for the Engineering Report
approval to complete design plans. This basin and each sub basin that flows into this station has
been investigated to identify inflow/infiltration but no major sources have been identified.
Including these SSO's over the past two months, the overall performance of our system is
exemplary. The 2020 System Performance reveals that of the more than 1.5 billion gallons of
wastewater treated at the City of Asheboro W WTP, less than 0.05% was spilled at the plant or in
the collection system. Laboratory personnel sample after every SSO as soon as it is safe to do so.
None of the laboratory results from any SSO on these two dates revealed significant environmental
impact.
Home of the NC Zoological Park

Response to Notice of Violation & Intent to Issue Civil Penalty
i' 10/27/2021
Page 2 of 2
The City of Asheboro is committed to protecting the environment and improving wastewater
collection service to customers. We are working from many angles to address issues that will
improve the operation of our collection system. Staff is continuing flow monitoring and will be
aggressive in locating potential I & I sources and making repairs. The Capital Improvement Plan
provides future resources for studies, repairs and replacements to the wastewater collection and
treatment systems.
The City is currently utilizing a grant from NCDEQ Division of Water Infrastructure to complete
and Asset Inventory Assessment of our collection system. We have contracted with Freese &
Nichols to complete and assessment of the system and provide an updated Capital Improvement
Plan to prioritize future projects to eliminate SSO events.
Please take these efforts into consideration as_ you deliberate these matters. The City requests
NCDEQ refrain from taking enforcement action as a result of these incidents. The City of
Asheboro takes pride in being good stewards of the environment and is taking measures to ensure
water quality in our community. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. If you have any
questions, please contact me at [phone] ext. 258.
Sincerely,
X44
Michael D. Rhoney, P.E.
Water Resources Director
OTYOF
ASHEBOFO
WATER RESOURCES