NCS000558_Benson Sanitary Sewer Overflow Response Plan_20200116

6. SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW RESPONSE PLAN
6.1 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
Generally, telephone calls from the public reporting possible sewer overflows/basement backups will be
received at the telephone number provided on the site identification card. Per Article IV.2 and Article
111.2 of the Town's collection system permit, the contract operator should obtain all relevant information
available regarding the overflow for phone calls reporting overflows and backups, including:
1. Time and date of the call;
2. Specific location of the overflow;
3. Description of problem (e.g., what is overflowing, extent of spill, if the cause is obvious,
etc.);
4. Time possible overflow was noticed by the caller;
5. Caller's name and phone number;
6. Observations of the caller (e.g., odor, duration, back or front of property); and -
7. Other relevant information that will enable the operator to quickly locate, assess and stop the
overflow.
Upon arrival at the reported sewer overflow site, and based on observations, the sewer response crew may
request additional personnel, material, supplies, and equipment. In all cases, response crews report their
findings, including possible damage to private and public property immediately upon making their
investigation.
Visual observations should be recorded for any: unusual observations. Photographs and videotapes should
be taken at the event and response when possible.
6.2 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
In the event of a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO), the first response step is to notify the system; certified
operator. The operator has the responsibility for managing the response and making key decisions. Their
responsibility is to assess the situation and initiate a series of response actions based on the type and
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severity of the event (see Article I.3, Article IV.2 and Article III.2 of the Town's collection system
permit).
Verbal notice to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality should be made within 24 hours. The
Regional Office should be contacted regardless of the size of the spill. In the event of a SSO, the Town of
Benson will also be required to complete and submit an SSO report within the first five (5) days after the
spill.
If the overflow results in a spill reaching surface waters OR of greater than 1,000 gallons, a press release
is required to be published to all print and electronic media in Johnson County within 48 hours of the
spill. Within this press release, a minimum of the following details of the discharge must be included:
(See Spill Report Form in Appendix B)
l . Name of Facility.
2. Location of SSO.
3. Estimated volume of untreated waste entering Water of the State.
4. Time and date discharge occurred.
5. Duration of discharge.
6. Water body that was discharged into including creek and river basin if applicable.
Environmental / health impact from SSO.
7. Action taken to prevent further discharge.
8. Contact person and phone number.
9. Name of individual from the division who was contacted by phone
If the overflow results in a spill of greater than 15,000 gallons to surface water, OR the spill is greater
than 1,000 gallons procedures must be followed in addition to required press releases to newspapers in
each county(ies) downstream significantly affected within 10 days. These affected counties will be
determined by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. The Town of Benson will also be required
to provide proof of publication to the Division of Water Quality within 30 days.
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