WQCS00038_DV-2020-0184_20200714

DURHAM Engineering and
COUNTY
�0 Environmental Services
, Utilities Division
July 14, 2020 RECEIVED
JUL 2 3 2020
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED NCDEQIDW RI NPDES
CERTIFIED MALL#7017 3380 0000 2144 1298
Mr. Scott Vinson
NCDEQ—Division of Water Resources
Attn: Raleigh Regional Office
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1617
RE: Notice of Violation, NOV-2020-DV-0184
Dear Mr. Vinson:
This is in response to the Notice of Violation dated April 30, 2020 and received by Durham
County on July 10, 2020 by email. The Notice of Violation addresses two separate sanitary
sewer overflows. One occurred March 18, 2020 near 5433 Jessip Street and the other occurred
March 30, 2020 near 1502 Blue Water Way.
5433 Jessip Street
On March 18, 2020, Scott Vinson, NC DEQ Regional Supervisor, was contacted by Durham
County staff to report a sanitary sewer overflow that was discovered near 5433 Jessip Street
earlier that day, permit number WQCS00038. The required 5-day report was completed on
March 20, 2020 and submitted to the Division.
At approximately 11:30 am on March 18, 2020,the Utility Supervisor was notified from Durham
County staff there was a sanitary sewer overflow near 5433 Jessip Street. The investigation
began immediately, and Vision NC was contacted to assist the County in ceasing the overflow
and determining the cause. Vision NC placed a camera in the line at which time it was
determined there was a blockage near manhole T-24-016. Vision NC jetted the line and captured
the contents which consisted of debris and grease. The blockage was removed, and the overflow
was ceased at 1:00 pm. Durham County staff placed sandbags near manhole T-24-013 to prevent
the sewer in the unnamed tributary from entering Stirrup Iron Creek. Durham County staff
tracked the impacts downstream and collected samples for ammonia analyses. Hepaco was
contacted to assist with cleanup and arrived on-site at approximately 2:30 pm. They began
pumping out the unnamed tributary into sanitary sewer manholes in the area and cleaning up any
solid materials on the ground. Durham City Stormwater Division was notified at 2:10 pm.
Durham City staff delivered de-chlorinators to the site and Durham County staff turned on two
(2) fire hydrants to help flush the creek from March 18th through March 19t. Durham County
staff collected downstream samples and analyzed for ammonia until results were less than 1.0
5926 NC Highway 55 East,Durham,North Carolina 27713
[phone] Fax[phone] l dconc.gov
Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Employer

OURHAM Engineering and
coUWTY
Environmental Services
Utilities Division
mg/L. Durham County's laboratory is certified to analyze ammonia samples. Hepaco continued
the environmental cleanup through March 19th at 4:30 pm. Lime was applied to the affected
area.
The volume for the sanitary sewer overflow was estimated based on width (6 feet), depth (6
inches), and length (950 feet) of affected area. Total volume reported was 21,319 gallons
reaching an unnamed tributary to Stirrup Iron Creek. The volume reaching Stirrup Iron Creek
was much less based on the ammonia result of 3.0 mg/L just below where the unnamed tributary
discharges.
A press release and public notice was completed as required.
Hepaco's cost for the cleanup was $19,780.91. Cost of the public notice was $65.00. The cost
of Vision NC to assist the County in resolving the issue was $19,300. (Total cost of$39,145.91)
Hydostructures completed the manhole inspections through this area on January 15, 2020. This
section is considered a high priority line and had been inspected by Durham County staff on
November 21, 2019.
1502 Blue Water Way
On March 30, 2020, Todd Green, NC Emergency Management, was contacted by Durham
County staff to report a sanitary sewer overflow that was discovered near 1502 Blue Water Way
earlier that day, permit number WQCS00038. The required 5-day report was completed on April
1, 2020 and submitted to the Division.
At approximately 2:00 pm on March 30, 2020, the Utility Supervisor was notified from Durham
County staff there was a sanitary sewer overflow near 1502 Blue Water Way, manhole T-07-042.
The investigation began immediately, and Durham County staff placed a camera in the line and
found there was a 4" sewer plug in the line. The plug was removed, and the overflow ceased at
3:10 pm. Staff began pumping out the ditch where the sanitary sewer had discharged into a
nearby sanitary sewer manhole. The area was cleaned, and lime was spread in the affected area.
The volume for the sanitary sewer overflow was estimated based on width (10 feet), depth (6
inches), and length (100 feet) of affected area. Total volume of 3,740 gallons was discharged
with 500 gallons reaching Stirrup Iron Creek.
This section of the collection system was last videoed on May 10, 2018 and Hydostructures
completed the manhole inspections through this area on March 4, 2019.
Conclusion
5926 NC Highway 55 East,Durham,North Carolina 27713
[phone] I Fax[phone] I dconc.gov
Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Employer

DURHAM Engineering and
COUNTY
I3 .o
Environmental Services
umiUtilities Division
Although there were no prior indications of an issue in either area, Durham County staff
responded quickly once notified of the issue to both overflows, determined the cause from Jessip
Street was due to grease and debris in the line and the cause from Blue Water Way was a plug in
the line, neither was no way intentional, staff had conducted all required inspections, and all
reporting was conducted in a timely manner as required. As such, I request that the Division of
Water Resources not pursue further enforcement action.
Please copy me on any future correspondence for a timely response. If you have any questions,
contact me at [e-mail] or 919-560-9034.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Brixey
Deputy Director of E&ES/POTW Director
Cc: Wendell Davis, County Manager(via email)
Lowell Siler, County Attorney(via email)
Larissa Williamson, Senior Assistant County Attorney(via email)
Jay Gibson, General Manager(via email)
Stephen Phillips, Utilities Supervisor/ORC (via email)
5926 NC Highway 55 East,Durham,North Carolina 27713
[phone] I Fax[phone] I dconc.gov
Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Employer

Ammonia Results - 5433 Jessip Street Sanitary Sewer Overflow
Location 3/18/2020 3/19/2020
Near MH T-24-016 43 mg/L 0.87 mg/L
Midpoint between T-24-016 & T-024-013 24 mg/L 0.54 mg/L
UT meander upstream of SIC 30 mg/L _ 0.51 mg/L
Stirrup Iron Creek 3 mg/L 0.21 mg/L

- -So-
UTILITIES DIVISION
Public Notice
NOTICE OF DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED SEWAGE
The County of Durham had a discharge of untreated wastewater from our wastewater collection system
near 5433 Jessip Street of approximately 21,319 gallons. The discharge was discovered on March 18,
2020. The untreated wastewater entered into an unnamed tributary that discharges to Stirrup Iron
Creek. The cause was due to grease and debris in the line. This notice is required by North Carolina
General Statues Article 21, Chapter 143-215C. For more information contact Public Information Office
at(919)560-0000.
The Utilities Division supports the missions of the County and the Engineering and Environmental
Services Department through operation of a wastewater utility and a water utility. The flagship of the
wastewater utility is the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP). The TWWTP is rated for an
average daily flow of 12 million gallons per day and specifically designed to meet future nutrient load
requirements for the Jordan Lake nutrient management strategy. The TWWTP serves the southeast
portion of Durham County inside and outside the Durham City limits, and serves the Research Triangle
Park areas within Durham County.
The wastewater utility also operates a small community wastewater Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP)
in the Wexford subdivision in eastern Durham County. This system was built in response to a
community wastewater system.
In September 2016, the County began the operation of the Rougemont Water System. For decades, the
Rougemont community in Northern Durham County had home and business wells impacted by
groundwater contamination from leaking underground storage tanks. The County, with financial
assistance from EPA, NCDEQ's Underground Storage Tank program, and NCDEQ's Department of
Commerce, constructed a community water system to serve the properties in the areas impacted by the
groundwater contamination.
Our _phone number is(919)560 9ogg0_
Email us at: utilitiesadconc.gov
https://www.dconc.gov/government/departments-a-e/engineering-and-environmental-servi... 3/20/2020

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AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
Account# I Ad Number Identification IF PO Cols Lines
155525 0004605071 Discharge(Untreated Sewage)Jessip Street I
I 1 I 20
Attention: STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
' DURHAM COUNTY ENGINEERING - UTILITY DIVISION COUNTY OF WAKE
5926 HWY 55 EAST
Before the undersigned.a Notary Public of
DURHAM, NC 27713 Johnston County,North Carolina,duly
commissioned and authorized to administer
oaths,affirmations,etc.,personally appeared
Public Notice
NOTICE OF DIscce PAM OLENICZAK,who being duly sworn or
OF UNTREATED SEWAGE affirmed,according to law,doth depose and
The County of Durham hod a discharge
or untreated wastewater from our say that he or she is Accounts Receivable
wastewater collection system near 5433
Jessip Street of approximately 11,319 Specialist of the News&Observer Publishing
gallons. The discharge was discovered
on March 18,2020.The untreated waste- Company,a corporation organized and doing
wafer entered into on unnamed tribute.
ry that discharges to Stirrup Iron Creek. business under the Laws of the State of
The cause was due to grease and debris
•
in the line. This notice is required by North Carolina,and publishing a newspaper
North Carolina General Statues Article
21,Chapter 143-215C. For more intorma known as Durham Herald-Sun,Durham
tion contact Public Information Office of
tion Sw-0000. County and State aforesaid,the said
H-S:March 24,2020 •
newspaper in which such notice,paper,
document,or legal advertisement was
published was,at the time of each and every
such publication,a newspaper meeting all of
the requirements and qualifications of Section
R E C�I��� 1-597 of the General Statutes of North
Carolina and was a qualified newspaper
within the meaning of Section 1-597 of the
MAR/if\R 3 0 2020 General Statutes of North Carolina,and that
�'I as such he or she makes this affidavit;and is
familiar with the books,files and business of
DURHAM COUNTY UTILITY DIVISION said corporation and by reference to the files
of said publication the attached advertisement
1 Insertion(s)
Published On:
March 24,2020
(2
PAM OLENICZAK,Amounts Receive`ble
Specialist i
Electronic Notary F? lic
State of North Carolina
' Sworn to and subscribed before me this
27th day of March,2020
My Commission Expires: 7/10/2023
' •o.. WENDY DAWSON
•
't .'. Notary Public
i.ir:/, North Carolina
.-1 Johnston County