WQCS00068_NOV-2020-DV-0043 Response_20200221

NC Dept ofEnvtranmentaI Quality
FF® 2 5 2020
South Granville Water and Sewer Authority Raleigh Regional Office
415 Central Ave, Suite B Butner, NC 27509
February 21, 2020
Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
11628 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1628
Re: Written Response to NOV-2020-DV-0043
South Granville Water and Sewer Authority
Collection System Permit No. WQCS00068
Mr. Vinson:
I am writing you in response to NOV-2020-DV-0043 (Incident No. 201901805) South Granville Water
and Sewer Authority (SGWASA) received February 5, 2020 for an overflow of 1,500 gallons that
occurred on 11/22/2019 at 1636 Will Suitt Rd. Creedmoor, NC. A written response to this incident is to
be received by the Regional Office within 15 business days (by 2126/20) following receipt of the
notification.
At approximately 1:45 pm on 11/22/19, the SGWASA Utility Superintendent received a report that a
manhole was open near Lyons #2 pump station on Will Suitt Road. The Utility Superintendent and Utility
Supervisor arrived onsite at approximately 2:00 pm and immediately noticed wastewater flowing in the
ditch on the south side of roadway, along with the manhole cover off and resting about 200 ft.
downstream on the leak. Additional crew members and equipment were dispatched immediately to the
location of leak. Containment and isolation measures were started immediately upon the crew's arrival to
the scene.
Concurrent with the actions listed previously, Lyons #2 pump station pumps were turned off to isolate the
overflow and reduce the area impacted. Containment was achieved by excavating a hole large enough to
capture the entire overflow from the leak prior to pumps being shut off and the overflow that continued to
come from leak with the pumps off. Lyons #2 pump station wet well level was controlled by using a
local pumping contractor during the complete repair process to move wastewater to the next downstream
pump station Lyons #1, thus mitigating additional flows to the roadway ditch area.
The area of the leak was excavated to a depth of approximately 42 inches and the break on the 6-inch
force main was found to be horizontal on the pipe. The break was repaired by installing a new six-foot
section of PVC pipe using bell clamps and reinforced by using mega lugs. The force main repair was
completed, and Lyons 42 pump station was placed back in service. The complete spill zone was raked of
all debris, all excavated areas properly filled, and lime applied.
Based on a review of the site conditions observed by staff on initial arrival to the overflow, SGWASA
request the Division consider the following information when determining possible enforcement action. A
heavy vehicle traveling north on Will Suitt Road crossed the centerline into the south bound lane and onto
the ditch area, causing a depression over the existing 6-inch force main. The 6-inch force main is in the
ditch at a depth of approximately 42 inches. The vehicle traveled approximately 200 feet along the
ditch/shoulder (parallel to, and on top of the force main) until it reached the next downstream manhole

and most likely was the cause of the manhole lid being dislodged. SGWASA believes the
installation/location of the force main is proper. The heavy vehicle was the most obvious cause and this
discharge was caused by factors beyond the reasonable control of SGWASA and could not have been
prevented by the exercise of reasonable control.
Following your review please let me know what additional information you may need regarding my
response to this Notice of Violation.
Sincerely,
Scott N. Schroyer
Executive Director
Cc: Winfred Dancy, Utilities Director SGWASA (via email)
Mitchell Hayes, Water Quality Section NCDEQ via email [e-mail]
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