WQCS00005_NOV-2019-DV-0400 Response_20191118

WATER MANAGEMENT
CITY OF DURHAM
November 18, 2019
Mr. S. Jay Zimmerman P.G., Chief
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
NCDEQ, Division of Water Resources
3800 Barrett Drive
Raleigh, N.C. 27609
Subject: NOV-2019-DV-0400, Permit No. WQCS00005
City of Durham Collection System, Durham County
Dear Mr. Zimmerman,
NC Dept of Environmental Quality
MV 2 7 2019
Raleigh Regional Office
This letter is in response to your notice dated November 4, 2019 which was received by the City on November
14, 2019. The November 14th letter states that the City of Durham is provided an opportunity to present
evidence and justification to demonstrate that the proposed civil penalties for Notice of Violation/Notice of
Intent to Enforce (NOV-NOI) should not be assessed for the sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) which occurred in
the City's sewer collection system between July 1, 2019 and September 30, 2019.
As requested, the City of Durham, Department of Water Management (DWM) is providing information about
four incidents which occurred between July 101' and September 261h which will support the City's position that
despite meeting all the conditions of the City's Collection System permit including site visits, inspections and
easement maintenance, these events were exceptional, unintentional, and temporary and beyond the City's
exercise of reasonable control.
Incident # 201901184 — 24 Phauff Court, July 10, 2019
On July 101h, manhole #16663 at 24 Phauff Court overflowed, with an estimated 850 gallons of untreated
wastewater discharging into the into an unnamed tributary of the Lick Creek. This overflow was caused by a
collection of roots that formed inside the mainline pipe. Crews used a root cutter to remove the blockage and
then jetted the line with a flush truck to clear the main. Crews also dammed the creek and set up a 4-inch pump
downstream to remove the fluids from the creek, pumping the collected liquids back into the collections system.
City of Durham crews have followed up with both cleaning of the lines above and below the incident location,
and have used CCTV trucks to be sure that no follow on debris left inside the main wouW.,cause additional issues.
The City's Stormwater Services Division responded and conducted ammonia testing to help determine the
extent of the spill and to advise when the site returned to normal conditions. There was no observed harm to
plants, animals, aquatic life or natural resources. No danger to public health or damage to private property
occurred. Staff will monitor this section of the main and if roots become an ongoing issue, the area will be
assigned to a root control contract.
As required, a news release was issued within the 24-hour window. The cost to remediate this spill was
$1,838.20

Page 2 of 4
Incident # 201901529 —1400 Morreene Road, September 12, 2019
On September 121h, manhole #27060 at 1400 Morreene Road overflowed, with an estimated 1,000 gallons of
untreated wastewater discharging into the unnamed tributary of the Sandy Creek. This overflow was caused by
a collection of roots that formed inside the mainline pipe. Crews used a root cutter to remove the blockage and
then jetted the line with a flush truck to clear the main. Crews also dammed the creek and set up a 4-inch pump
downstream to remove the fluids from the creek, pumping the collected liquids back into the collections system.
Crews also removed and replaced the contaminated dirt and re -seeded the area again, and applied straw as a
covering.
City of Durham crews have followed up with both cleaning of the lines above and below the incident location,
and have used CCTV trucks to be sure that no follow on debris left inside the main would cause additional issues.
The City's Stormwater Services Division responded and conducted ammonia testing to help determine the
extent of the spill and to advise when the site returned to normal conditions. There was no observed harm to
plants, animals, aquatic life or natural resources. No danger to public health or damage to private property
occurred. Staff will monitor this section of the main and if roots become an ongoing issue, the area will be
assigned to a root control contract.
As required, a news release was issued within the 24-hour window. The cost to remediate this spill was
$5,853.39
Incident # 201901544-10 Upchurch Circle, September 17, 2019
On September 171h, at 10 Upchurch Circle a failure of clay sewer pipe began leaking with an estimated 1,200
gallons of untreated wastewater discharging into the unnamed tributary of the Sandy Creek. This overflow was
caused by creek bank erosion exposing 20 feet of 8-inch clay pipe causing a structural failure. Excavation crews
made a temporary repair stopping the leak and returned on September 18`h to complete the permanent
replacement of Ductile Iron Pipe. Crews also dammed the creek and set up a 4-inch pump downstream to
remove the fluids from the creek, pumping the collected liquids back into the collections system.
The City's Stormwater Services Division responded and conducted ammonia testing to help determine the
extent of the spill and to advise when the site returned to normal conditions. There was no observed harm to
plants, animals, aquatic life or natural resources. No danger to public health or damage to private property
occurred.
As required, a news release was issued within the 24-hour window. The cost to remediate this spill was
$5,777.82
Incident # 201901594 — 2328 Rada Drive, September 26,201
On September 26", at 2328 Rada Drive, the PVC sewer pipe failed, allowing an estimated 5,000 gallons of
untreated wastewater to discharge into the unnamed tributary of the Northeast Creek. This overflow was
caused by creek bank erosion exposing a section of 12" PVC pipe causing a structural failure. Excavation crews
came in to effect a temporary repair stopping the leak, and then returned on September 301h to complete the
permanent replacement of Ductile Iron Pipe. Crews also dammed the creek and set up a 4-inch pump
downstream to remove the fluids from the creek, pumping the collected liquids back into the collections system.
The City's Stormwater Services Division responded and conducted ammonia testing to help determine the
extent of the spill and to advise when the site returned to normal conditions. There was no observed harm to
plants, animals, aquatic life or natural resources. No danger to public health or damage to private property
occurred.

Page 3 of 4
As required, a news release was issued within the 24-hour window. The cost to remediate this spill was
$10,044.04
Follow-up activities:
As noted, for the SSOs caused by root intrusion, staff will monitor these areas to determine if they should be
included in the root control contract.
On oin Ci -Wide Measures to Reduce the Occurrence of SSO's
The City has several programs in place to reduce and/or prevent the occurrence of SSOs. The City has
implemented a CMOM plan that expands and enhances its existing programs.
■ System Flushing and Inspection: The City routinely contracts flushing, CCTV inspection, smoke testing and
manhole inspections of portions of the sewer collection system. The City is completing the inspection of the
collection system systematically through City defined basins.
Additionally, the City ensures the requirements of the collection system permit are met by deploying City
crews to flush at least 10% of the collection system annually with a goal of exceeding the requirement by at
least 2 to 5% each year. The City measures the flushing on a fiscal year basis. For the FY 2020 fiscal year (A
2019) the City has cleaned 4.89% of the system.
Sewer Rehabilitation Program: The City has an active Sewer Rehabilitation Program. The program includes
flow monitoring (25 permanent monitors), CCTV inspection, manhole inspection, easement mowing, field
inspections and investigations, point repairs, line replacement, root and grease abatement and cured -in -
place manhole and line rehabilitation. There are 4 employee positions dedicated to the City's system
rehabilitation programs in the Utility Engineering Division of the Department of Water Management (DWM).
This workgroup handles flow monitoring and system data management and contract preparation,
administration and inspections. There are 16 employee positions in our Sewer Rehabilitation workgroup in
the Water & Sewer Maintenance (WSM) Division of DWM. This group performs CCTV inspections, hydraulic
cleaning activities, mowing and manhole inspection and repair. They respond to blockages and overflows.
WSM does contract inspections as well. In addition, crews from the Main Line workgroup of WSM perform
point repairs, line replacements and some cured -in -place lining. The City spends more than $5,000,000 on
Sewer Rehabilitation projects annually as a part of its Capital Improvements Programs.
Fat. Oils and Grease Program (FOG): The department's FOG education and outreach effort is conducted by
3.0 FTEs (staff shared 50/50 with the Industrial Waste Control Program). In addition to working closely with
the Durham County Health Department, staff routinely inspect over 800 food service establishments (FSEs)
annually to ensure appropriate cleaning and maintenance of grease interceptors. Staff participates in a
number of community events (Earth Day, CenterFest, and Landlord Workshops) as well as neighborhood
meetings to increase awareness of what is appropriate to put in the sewer system. FOG staff conducts post-
SSOs follow-up education and enforcement as necessary. The City also invests more than $35,000 per year
in advertising (TV commercials, social media, etc.) regarding the proper disposal of FOG.
Summary:
Based upon the documented information provided above regarding these inter -related incidents, the City
believes that overflows were exceptional, unintentional, temporary and caused by factors beyond the
City's/department's reasonable control. The City actively manages, operates and maintains its system in such a
manner as to meet all the requirements of the Collection System permit. As detailed above, the City
systematically inspects flushes and rehabilitates its wastewater collection system. The department works

Page 4 of 4
actively to educate the community regarding what should and should not be discharged into the City's sewer
collection system.
Department staff welcomes the opportunity to meet with you and your staff to review our program and discuss
constructive ways to improve what we are already doing in the City of Durham. If you have any questions or
need any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone] or via email at
Don.Greelev(Mdurhamnc.eov.
Sincerely,
Donald F. Greeley, P.E., P.L. .
Director
Attachments
Cc: Danny Smith, Supervisor, DEQ - Water Quality Regional Operations Section, Raleigh Regional Office
Junior Mobley, Superintendent, Water & Sewer Maintenance
Vicki Westbrook, Assistant Director
Stephen Buchanan, Assistant Director
Jerry Morrone, Engineering Supervisor

Walker, Daniel
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Butts, Kirk
Thursday, July 11, 2019 4:01 PM
Alex Padilla; Amanda MacLaren, Associate Editor, Durham Magazine; Anita Rao - WUNC;
Associated Press - Raleigh; Battle, Gerald; Bennett, Cassandra; Seth Shugg, Carolina
Parent, Betsy Kempter, Brenda Porter -Rockwell, City Insight Magazine; Brent Wolfe,
News Director, WUNC; Brown, Lee; Buchanan, Stephen; Carolina Woman; Cary News -
General; Clarion Content; Dave DeWitte, Environment Reporter, WUNC; Dillard, Katy,
Durham Skywriter, Editor, Spectacular Magazine; Eloy Tupayachi, Que Pasa; Farlow,
Jeremy; Fontaine, Lance; Forde, Jeffrey, Harris, Crystal; Jermaine Taylor, Radio -One
Public Affairs/News; Jerry Smith, Radio One, The Light 103.9 FM; Jessica Meadows, NBC
17; Joedy McCreary, Sports Writer, Associated Press; Joel Bulkley, Durham Community
Sports News; Julie Garza, Curtis Media; Karen Clark, Foxy 107/104 FM; Kimberley Pierce
Cartwright, News & Public Affairs Director, WNCU 90.7 FM; La Conexion; La Noticia; La
Nueva (1530 am Durham-Chapell Hill; Lauren Ohnesorge, Triangle Business Journal;
Linnie Supall, News 14; Mark Schultz, Durham Editor, News & Observer, Matt McGibney,
Independent Weekly, Melissa Wade, Radio One, The Light 103.9 FM; Michael Hyland,
NBC 17; Mobley, Junior, NCCU Campus Echo; News & Observer Continous News Team;
News 14; News Desk, Herald -Sun; Paola Jaramillo, La Noticia; Patricia A. Murray, Durham
Radio Skywriter, Phyllis Coley, Spectacular Magazine; Que Pasa 1030AM/Audy Rodas;
Que Rasa?; Rebecca Martinez, WUNC; Reyn Bowman, Durham Bull's Eye Blog; Richard
Brown, The Richard Brown Show; Roberson, James; Robert Ashley, former editor,
Herald -Sun; Sanford, Kerry; Sarah Kerman, Local & National Editor, Duke Chronicle;
Segard, Timothy, Steve Sedahl, News Director, WRDU 106.1 FM; Storm Water Quality;
The Carolina Times; The Independent - General; The Raleigh Chronicle; The Triangle
Business Journal; The Triangle Tribune; Total Triangle Traffic Network; Triangle Business
Journal General Mailbox; Triangle Downtowner Magazine; Trish Lemm, Museum of Life
& Science; UNC Radio/Leoneda Inge; Virginia Bridges, News and Observer, Walker,
Daniel; Wallace, Karmisha; Walter Gomez, Hispanic Media News; Westbrook, Vicki;
Willard, Kenny; WNCN 17; WPTF News Desk; WRAL Assignment Desk, WTVD 11
SSO - 24 Phauff Court
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
City Manager
CITY OF DURHAM
For Details Contact
Junior Mobley, Superintendent
Water & Sewer Maintenance Division
Water Management
919.560.4344
[e-mail]
News Release
For Immediate Release: July 11, 2019
City of Durham Contains Sewer Spill at 24 Phauff Court

DURHAM, N.C. The City of Durham Department of Water Management reports that on July 10, 2019,
approximately 850 gallons of wastewater overflowed from a manhole at 24 Phauff Court into a Little Lick
Creek tributary.
The overflow occurred at approximately 8:00 p.m. It was caused by roots in the line, which were cleared
and the overflow ended at approximately 11:30 p.m. The surrounding area has been remediated and
there are no immediately visible adverse environmental impacts or hazards to persons or property.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on
July 11, 2019 as required by state regulations/law. For more information, contact Junior Mobley,
Superintendent of Water & Sewer Maintenance.
101 City bail Rau. Second Floor, Durham, NC 27701 1 919.560-4123
DurharnNCgov Follow Us @CityofDurhamNC
4©00
2

Walker, Daniel
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Westbrook, Vicki
Friday, September 13, 2019 4:07 PM
Alex Padilla; Amanda MacLaren, Associate Editor, Durham Magazine; Anita Rao - WUNC;
Associated Press - Raleigh; Battle, Gerald; Bennett, Cassandra; Beth Shugg, Carolina
Parent; Betsy Kempter, Brenda Porter -Rockwell, City Insight Magazine; Brent Wolfe,
News Director, WUNC; Brown, Lee; Buchanan, Stephen; Carolina Parent; Carolina
Woman; Cary News - General; Chrissy Beck (Chronicle); Clarion Content; Dave DeWitte,
Environment Reporter, WUNC; Dillard, Katy, Durham Skywriter, Editor, Spectacular
Magazine; Eloy Tupayachi, Que Pasa; Farlow, Jeremy, Fontaine, Lance; Forde, Jeffrey;
Harris, Crystal; Jennifer Wiggen (Museum of Life & Science); Jermaine Taylor, Radio -One
Public Affairs/News; Jerry Smith, Radio One, The Light 103.9 FM; Jessica Meadows, NBC
17; Joedy McCreary, Sports Writer, Associated Press; Joel Bulkley, Durham Community
Sports News; Julie Garza, Curtis Media; Karen Clark, Foxy 107/104 FM; Katie Bailey,
Reese Felt Digital News, UNC-CH; Kimberley Pierce Cartwright, News & Public Affairs
Director, WNCU 90.7 FM; La Conexion; La Noticia; La Nueva (1530 am Durham-Chapell
Hill; Lauren Ohnesorge, Triangle Business Journal; Linnie Supall, News 14; Mark Schultz,
Durham Editor, News & Observer Matt McGibney, Independent Weekly, Melissa Wade,
Radio One, The Light 103.9 FM; Michael Hyland, NBC 17; Mobley, Junior, NCCU Campus
Echo; News & Observer Continous News Team; News 14; News Desk, Herald -Sun; Paola
Jaramillo, La Noticia; Patricia A. Murray, Durham Radio Skywriter Phyllis Coley,
Spectacular Magazine; Que Pasa 1030AM/Audy Rodas; Que Pasa?; Rebecca Martinez,
WUNC; Reyn Bowman, Durham Bull's Eye Blog; Richard Brown, The Richard Brown
Show; Roberson, James; Robert Ashley, former editor, Herald -Sun; Sanford, Kerry, Sarah
Kerman, Local & National Editor, Duke Chronicle; Segard, Timothy, Steve Sedahl, News
Director, WRDU 106.1 FM; Storm Water Quality; The Carolina Times; The Independent -
General; The News & Observer - General; The Raleigh Chronicle; The Triangle Business
Journal; The Triangle Tribune; Total Triangle Traffic Network; Triangle Business Journal
General Mailbox; Triangle Downtowner Magazine, Trish Lemm, Museum of Life &
Science; UNC Radio/Leoneda Inge; Virginia Bridges, News and Observer, Walker, Daniel;
Wallace, Karmisha; Walter Gomez, Hispanic Media News; Westbrook, Vicki; Willard,
Kenny; WNCN 17; WPTF News Desk; WRAL Assignment Desk; WTVD 11
SSO at 1400 Morreene Road
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
City Manager
CITY 4F DURHAM
News Release
For Immediate Release- September 13, 2019
For Details
Junior
Water & Sewer Main
Water Man
919.`
Junior.Mobley@Durha
City of Durham Responds to Sewer Spill at 1400 Morreene Road

DURHAM, N.C. —The City of Durham Department of Water Management reports that on Thursday, September 12, 2019,
approximately 1000 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into Sandy Creek from a manhole located at 1400 Morreene Roi
The occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m. and was caused by roots growing into the line. The line was cleared at approximate
and the surrounding area was remediated. There are no immediately visible adverse environmental impacts or hazards to pei
or property.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on September 12, 2019
required by state regulations/law. For more information, contact Junior Mobley, Superintendent of Water & Sewer Maintena
101 City Hall Plaza, Second Floor, Durham, NC 27701 1 919.560.4123 I DurhamNC.gov
Vicki Westbrook
Assistant Director— Communication, Regulatory Compliance, Administration and Planning
Department of Water Management
1600 Mist Lake Drive
City of Durham, NC 27704
919-560-4381, X 35266
Follow Us @CityofDurl
©0

[e-mail]
I M WATER MANAGEMENT
CITY OF DURHAM
E-mail correspondence to and from this sender maybe subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and can be disclosed to third parties.

Walker, Daniel
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Westbrook, Vicki
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 9:13 AM
Alex Padilla; Amanda MacLaren, Associate Editor, Durham Magazine; Anita Rao - WUNC;
Associated Press - Raleigh; Battle, Gerald; Bennett, Cassandra; Beth Shugg, Carolina
Parent; Betsy Kempter; Brenda Porter -Rockwell, City Insight Magazine; Brent Wolfe,
News Director, WUNC; Brown, Lee; Buchanan, Stephen; Carolina Parent; Carolina
Woman; Cary News - General; Clarion Content; Dave DeWitte, Environment Reporter,
WUNC; Dillard, Katy; Durham Skywriter; Editor, Spectacular Magazine; Eloy Tupayachi,
Que Pasa; Farlow, Jeremy; Fontaine, Lance; Forde, Jeffrey; Harris, Crystal; Jake Satisky
(Duke Chronicle); Jennifer Wiggen (Museum of Life & Science); Jermaine Taylor, Radio -
One Public Affairs/News; Jerry Smith, Radio One, The Light 103.9 FM; Jessica Meadows,
NBC 17; Joedy McCreary, Sports Writer, Associated Press; Joel Bulkley, Durham
Community Sports News; Julie Garza, Curtis Media; Karen Clark, Foxy 107/104 FM; Katie
Bailey, Reese Felt Digital News, UNC-CH; Kimberley Pierce Cartwright, News & Public
Affairs Director, WNCU 90.7 FM; La Conexion; La Noticia; La Nueva (1530 am Durham-
Chapell Hill; Lauren Ohnesorge, Triangle Business Journal; Linnie Supall, News 14; Mark
Schultz, Durham Editor, News & Observer; Matt McGibney, Independent Weekly;
Melissa Wade, Radio One, The Light 103.9 FM; Michael Hyland, NBC 17; Mobley, Junior;
Nathan Luzum (Duke Chronicle); NCCU Campus Echo; News & Observer Continous
News Team; News 14; News Desk, Herald -Sun; Paola Jaramillo, La Noticia; Patricia A.
Murray, Durham Radio Skywriter; Phyllis Coley, Spectacular Magazine; Que Pasa
1030AM/Audy Rodas; Que Pasa?; Rebecca Martinez, WUNC; Reyn Bowman, Durham
Bull's Eye Blog; Richard Brown, The Richard Brown Show, Roberson, James; Robert
Ashley, former editor, Herald -Sun; Sanford, Kerry, Sarah Kerman, Local & National
Editor, Duke Chronicle, Segard, Timothy; Steve Sedahl, News Director, WRDU 106.1 FM;
Storm Water Quality; The Carolina Times; The Independent - General; The News &
Observer - General; The Raleigh Chronicle; The Triangle Business Journal; The Triangle
Tribune; Total Triangle Traffic Network; Triangle Business Journal General Mailbox;
Triangle Downtowner Magazine; Trish Lemm, Museum of Life & Science; UNC
Radio/Leoneda Inge; Virginia Bridges, News and Observer, Walker, Daniel; Wallace,
Karmisha; Walter Gomez, Hispanic Media News; Westbrook, Vicki; Willard, Kenny;
WNCN 17; WPTF News Desk; WRAL Assignment Desk; WTVD 11
SSO at 10 Upchurch Circle
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
City Manager
CITY OF DURHAM
News Release
For Immediate Releas( 5vptember 18, 2019
For Details
Junio+
Water & Sewer Main
Water Man
919.!
Junior.Mobley@Durha

City of Durham Responds to Sewer Spill at 10 Upchurch Circle
DURHAM, N.C.--The City of Durham Department of Water Management reports that on Tuesday, September 17, 2019,
approximately 1200 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into a tributary of Sandy Creek due to a collapsed sewer main to
at 10 Upchurch Circle.
Staff were notified at 10:00 am and responded immediately to the site. The repairs were completed by 2:00 pm and the surrc
area was remediated. Equipment was set up to flush the creek and pump the materials back into the collection system. There
immediately visible adverse environmental impacts or hazards to persons or property.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on September 17, 2019
required by state regulations/law. For more information, contact Junior Mobley, Superintendent of Water & Sewer Maintena
101 City Hall Plaza, Second Floor, Durham, NC 27701 919.560.4123 DurhamNC.gov Fallow Us @CityofDurl
Vicki Westbrook
Assistant Director —Communication, Regulatory Compliance, Administration and Planning

Department of Water Management
1600 Mist Lake Drive
City of Durham, NC 27704
919-560-4381, X 35266
Vicki.Westbrook durhamnc. ov
I . M WATER MANAGEMENT
CITY OF DURHAM
E-mail correspondence to and from this sender maybe subject to the North Carolina Public Records Cow and can be disclosed to third parties.

Walker, Daniel
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Westbrook, Vicki
Friday, September 27, 2019 10:28 AM
Alex Padilla; Amanda MacLaren, Associate Editor, Durham Magazine; Anita Rao - WUNC;
Associated Press - Raleigh; Battle, Gerald; Bennett, Cassandra; Beth Shugg, Carolina
Parent; Betsy Kempter; Brenda Porter -Rockwell, City Insight Magazine; Brent Wolfe,
News Director, WUNC; Brown, Lee; Buchanan, Stephen; Carolina Parent; Carolina
Woman; Cary News - General; Clarion Content; Dave DeWitte, Environment Reporter,
WUNC; Dillard, Katy; Durham Skywriter, Editor, Spectacular Magazine; Eloy Tupayachi,
Que Pasa; Farlow, Jeremy; Fontaine, Lance; Forde, Jeffrey, Harris, Crystal; Jake Satisky
(Duke Chronicle); Jennifer Wiggen (Museum of Life & Science); Jermaine Taylor, Radio -
One Public Affairs/News; Jerry Smith, Radio One, The Light 103.9 FM; Jessica Meadows,
NBC 17; Joedy McCreary, Sports Writer, Associated Press; Joel Bulkley, Durham
Community Sports News; Julie Garza, Curtis Media; Karen Clark, Foxy 107/104 FM; Katie
Bailey, Reese Felt Digital News, UNC-CH; Kimberley Pierce Cartwright, News & Public
Affairs Director, WNCU 90.7 FM; La Conexion; La Noticia; La Nueva (1530 am Durham -
Chapel[ Hill; Lauren Ohnesorge, Triangle Business Journal; Linnie Supall, News 14; Mark
Schultz, Durham Editor, News & Observer, Matt McGibney, Independent Weekly;
Melissa Wade, Radio One, The Light 103.9 FM; Michael Hyland, NBC 17; Mobley, Junior,
Nathan Luzum (Duke Chronicle); NCCU Campus Echo; News & Observer Continous
News Team; News 14; News Desk, Herald -Sun; Paola Jaramillo, La Noticia; Patricia A.
Murray, Durham Radio Skywriter, Phyllis Coley, Spectacular Magazine; Que Pasa
1030AM/Rudy Rodas; Que Pasa?; Rebecca Martinez, WUNC; Reyn Bowman, Durham
Bull's Eye Blog; Richard Brown, The Richard Brown Show; Roberson, James; Robert
Ashley, former editor, Herald -Sun; Sanford, Kerry, Sarah Kerman, Local & National
Editor, Duke Chronicle; Segard, Timothy, Steve Sedahl, News Director, WRDU 106.1 FM;
Storm Water Quality; The Carolina Times; The Independent - General; The News &
Observer - General; The Raleigh Chronicle; The Triangle Business Journal; The Triangle
Tribune; Total Triangle Traffic Network; Triangle Business Journal General Mailbox;
Triangle Downtowner Magazine; Trish Lemm, Museum of Life & Science; UNC
Radio/Leoneda Inge; Virginia Bridges, News and Observer, Walker, Daniel; Wallace,
Karmisha; Walter Gomez, Hispanic Media News; Westbrook, Vicki; Willard, Kenny;
WNCN 17; WPTF News Desk; WRAL Assignment Desk; WTVD 11
City responds to sewer spill at Rada Drive
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
City Manager
CITY OF DURHAM
For Details Contact
Junior Mobley
Water and Sewer Maintenance
Water Management
919.560.4344
[e-mail]
News Release
For Immediate Release- September 27, 2019

City of Durham Responds to Sewer Spill at Rada Drive
DURHAM, N.C. —The City of Durham Department of Water Management reports that on September 26,
2019, staff were notified at 2:30 pm that untreated wastewater was observed flowing into a tributary of
Northeast Creek just off Ellis Road.
Staff responded to the call immediately and found that the 12" sewer main at 2328 Rada Drive (off Ellis
Road) had collapsed due to soil erosion along the creek bank. Approximately 5000 gallons of untreated
wastewater flowed into the stream. Once on site, crews installed a bypass pump which stopped the spill
and allowed repairs to be made which were completed at 5:00 pm. Crews also installed a dam in the
creek to capture liquids which were pumped back into the collections system. The creek was then flushed
and those liquids were also pumped back into the system. There are no immediately visible adverse
environmental impacts or hazards to persons or property.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on
September 26, 2019 as required by state regulations/law. For more information, contact Junior Mobley,
Superintendent of Water & Sewer Maintenance.
Vicki Westbrook
Assistant Director — Communication, Regulatory Compliance, Administration and Planning
Department of Water Management
1600 Mist fake Drive
City of Durham, NC 27704
919-560-4381, X 35266
[e-mail]
WATER MANAGEMENT
CITY OF DURHAM
E-mail correspondence to and from this sender may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and can be disclosed to third parties.