240422_NOV Response

Michael L Scott, Town Manager
Greg Siler, Finance Director
Tim Kerigan, Human Resources/PIO
Shannan Parrish, Town Clerk
Beth McKeel, Admin Assistant
Telephone: [phone]
Date: April 23, 2024
e,4LT
To: Mr. Michael Hall, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
3800 Barrett Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609-1628
From: Walter Credle, Public Utilities Director
Town of Smithfield
230 Hospital Road
Smithfield, NC 27577
Re: NOV-2024-DV-0195
Incident Number 202400734 — Town of Smithfield SSO
ISTrwomil
350 East Market Street
Post Office Box 761
Smithfield, NC 27577
Fax: [phone]
In response to the written Notice of Violation referenced above, please accept this letter as an explanation of
what occurred and what action was taken in response:
On March 28, 2024 Town staff was alerted to a sewer overflow from a manhole along Blount Street. Staff
was dispatched and reacted immediately. When staff arrived on site, they began the process of clearing a
blockage from the gravity line that was overflowing. The clearing eliminated the overflow and normal flow
resumed. Since this incident did not reach any open water and was well under 1,000 gallons, it was not
reported.
The next morning a repeat call alerted staff that the real culprit had been a parallel force main that emptied
into the gravity line. It had activated in the overnight and caused a spill; due to a rusted air -release valve that
was leaking. During the previous night's activities, the pump station had never switched "on" so crews
believed the situation had been resolved. This "second" spill resulted in about 13,000 gallons of sewage
spilling, with about 6,500 gallons reaching surface water.
At this time, the pump station was shut down and repairs to the air release valve were made. After repairing
the valve, staff used the vacuum truck to clean up as much of the spillage as possible. The affected soil was
covered in lime and pine straw. An affected residence's gravel drive was removed and replaced with fresh
stone.
If you need anything further, or have any additional questions; please feel free to contact me at your
convenience at 919-934-2798, or send an e-mail to ted.cred1g2smithfield-nc.com.

Thank you for your time in this matter.
Sincerely,
Walter Credle
Public Utilities Director
enclosures
Cc: Mr. Kevin Fowler, Environmental Specialist I, NCDEQ
Mr. Pat Butler, Water & Sewer Superintendent, Town of Smithfield