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Home My WebLink AboutWQCSD0707_NOV-2020-DV-0162 Response_20200604May 19, 2020 Mr. W. Corey Basinger Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section DWR, NCDEQ 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 Mooresville, NC 28115 Dear Mr. Basinger: Aqua North Carolina, Inc. www.aquanorthcarolina.com 4163 Sinclair Street Denver, NC 28037 h9cmVemcoommR s wo OR SVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE Re: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking Number: NOV-2020-DV-0162 Park South Station, Collections System Permit No. WQCSD0707 Mecklenburg County In response to the NOV issued on April 22, 2020 Aqua North Carolina, Inc. (Aqua) submits the following information. The cause of the blockage and subsequent discharge of sewage which occurred on February 1, 2020, was due to a large volume of household wipes that had been flushed into the collection system. The initial report was called in to Charlotte Water, Charlotte Water was the respondent, and the blockage was cleared by Charlotte Water. According to the report made to Aqua, they removed a large ball of wipes and debris from Manhole 3 located behind Mount Claire. Charlotte Water notified us the day after the blockage was cleared so we did not witness the work they performed. Aqua cleared the area of solids and applied lime. On February 16, 2020, a subsequent SSO was once again reported to Charlotte Water. In this instance, Charlotte Water contacted Aqua and we were the respondent. The area was vacuumed by a third -party contractor. All solids were removed, and lime was applied to the affected area. Aqua had the line CCTV'd back to the last manhole Aqua maintains to identify the cause. The line was cleared with high pressure jetting to remove additional wipes, grease and construction debris that was dumped into the collections system. Water was flowing freely when the work was complete. A copy of the invoice for this work is attached. No defect or construction fault in the sewer was noted. Our goal was to absolutely ensure the work was done properly. An Aqua America Company During neither SSO did any volume of discharge make it to surface water. Please note that representatives of Charlotte Stormwater inspected the remediation completed and deemed it satisfactory. Aqua does semi-annual mailings to its customers advising of the harm that can be done by flushing grease and non -biodegradable material and requests their cooperation in preventing issues from flushing these types of items. A special notice (see attached) was mailed by Aqua directly to every resident of Park South Station following the SSOs which occurred in that neighborhood. A copy was also provided to the HOA Management Company for distribution. Also, to ensure that any future issues associated with this manhole were promptly reported to Aqua, an Aqua notification sign was erected at the specific manhole. A photo of the sign is attached. Aqua takes our responsibility to operate our systems properly and maintain compliance very seriously, and with consideration that we operate 59 wastewater systems has a good record of minimizing the number and volume of SSOs. Aqua flushes in excess of ten percent of our collection systems per year and will closely monitor this sewer system to reduce the risk of recurrence. Additionally, Aqua has implemented a root control program for systems with vitrified clay pipe collection systems. Issues involving inappropriate discharge by contractors and homeowners into the collections system are problematic for almost all utilities, and we and most other utilities work to educate our customers. When the issues occur, we diligently respond to mitigate the issue and prevent recurrence. If you have any additional recommendations to minimize recurrence, please let me know. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (704) 489-9404. Sincerely, Laurie Ison Area Manager, Western NC cc: Joseph Pearce, Director of Operations, Aqua NC NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit N Transstate, LLC P.O.. Box 545 Denver, NC 28037 Dili To � Ac1ur°{�Yth�C?�rt�tina;�tttc;�,� 4163 Sinclair Street Denver, NC 28037 Invoice DateInvoice # 2/25/2020 1337 P.O. No; Terms Project Matt Costner Due on receipt Quantity Description Rate Amount 29.75 Hours of Cleaning and CCTV Work on 3 Sewer Lines at Park South Station on 450.00 13,38T50 2/18/20, 2/19/20, and 2/20/20, due to line blockages. 1' Sales Tax Mecklenburg County at 7.25%= $970.59 970.59 970.59 ASP Accounting RECEIVED _ FEB 2 5 2020 AU GL Activity Approval 1 Approval 2 Thank you for your business.... Total $14,358.09 TRUSTED FOR GENERATIONS Billing Address Aqua North Carolina 4163 Sinclair Street Denver, NC 28037 USA 1st Choice Service, Inc. 3661 Eaker Rd. Cherryville, NC 28021 Description of Work Invoice 4005535 Invoice Date 2/18/2020 Completed Date 2/18/2020 Customer PO Job Address Aqua 5014 Mount Clare Lane Charlotte, NC 28210 USA **lab Notes** Skimmed all floatin debris off"water and pulmped.3,000 gallons. Spill Is in natural swamp that is possibly fed by natural spri s, Waterwill-aMpys Ibe standing. Informed Matt that all other paper and grease will have to be scraped and scooped tip, att Costner mentioned his emp-ioyees cleaning<up paper and §ireise left behind. Task # Description Quantity Your Price Your Total MISC-S Pump, skim water and debris. 9.50 $200.00 $1,900.00 Time in 8:00 am Time out 5:30 pm Sub -Total $1,900.00 Tax $0.00 Total Due $1,900.00 Balance Due $1,900.00 Thank you for allowing us to serve you! PAYMENT TERMS: DUE ON COMPLETION. Reference invoice number in memo section of check to ensure payment is applied to correct account. Grease trap services will incur a $20 Late fee for all past due invoices. Returned check fee is $25. REMIT PAYMENT TO: 1 stChoice Service Inc. 3661 Eaker Road Cherryville, NC 28021 To make a credit or debit card payment please call our office at,704-447 xessary information. IMPORTANT Wipes *;Personal Hygiene Products Clog Sewer Lines! Many household products are labeled and marketed as DISPOSABLE and/or FLUSHABLE; many baby and adult personal hygiene products, along with household wipes and cleaning towelletes are labeled both disposable and flushable. While these products may be marketed as a convenience item in this way, the truth is that these types of items have the ability to clog and stop up not only the sewer line on your property, but also can cause blockage and service problems in the public sewer system and pump stations. Unlike toilet paper, these products DO NOT break down once they are flushed. They can cause blockages in your on -site sewer, especially older pipelines that may have greases, roots, or other obstructions already existing. A repair of the on -site sewer line can leave the home owner or business owner with a very costly sewer repair. On a larger scale, when these products make their way into the public sewer system they collect together, causing very large obstructions and clogs in the main collector lines and get tangled in pump stations requiring repair or replacement of equipment. The f( )flowing items should NEVER be flushed into the sewer system: Disinfecting/surface wipes Mop or "Swiffer" type refills Baby wipes Paper towels Jewelry wipes Pet care wipes to Cosmetic wipes First Aid wipes Disposable diapers or diaper liners Bio-pads (nursing home, home health care, etc.) Cotton swabs Feminine hygiene products Toilet cleaning pads ANY Moist type towelettes MANY CONSUMER ITEM THAT IS NOT TOILET PAPER! Every home and business has a sewer connection to the public sewer system. This connection runs from the home or business to the sewer main where it is connected to the public sewer system. This on -site sewer line is the responsibility of the home or business owner to keep clear so there are no back-ups of wastewater into the home or business. Save yourself and your Sewer Utility from costly repairs and/or replacement bills. Do not flush the listed items; place them in the trash, not the toilet.