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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQCS00002_NOV-2020-DV-0309 Response_20200807% �%/00 1iro 11111111 Raleigh Water August 7th, 2020 Mr. Scott Vinson Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources NCDEQ 1628 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1628 Re: Response to NOV-2020-DV-0309 Sanitary Sewer Overflows - June 2020 Permit No. WQC500002 Raleigh Collections System, Wake County Dear Mr. Vinson: may Aug —7 �o NC DENR Raleigh Regional Offs r: Please allow this letter to serve as a response to the Notice of Violation & Intent to Issue Civil Penalty document (NOV-2020-DV-0309) received on July 241^, 2020. This document contains narratives regarding pending violation actions of (3) Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) events, which occurred during the month of June 2020 within the City of Raleigh Collections System (tj. The noticed events occurred while the City operated its collection system, according to WQCS00002, dated June 6th, 2017. The permit includes the language outlined in footnote 1 and applies to the SSOs upon which NOVs with the notice of intent (NOV-NOI) were based. This document will establish a reasonable explanation of the actions taken to stop the spill; contain the released wastewater; collect the wastewater and reintroducing it to the collection system; and finally, restoring the possible environmental impacts brought by the release of the SSO events, listed with the intended NOV-NOI action. Please find below, the additional information requested for each of the SSO events. 1. "The Director may take enforcement action against the Permlttee for SSos that must be reported to the Division as stipulated In Condition IV92j. This includes 5SOs that were caused by severe natural conditions or exceptional events unless the Permittee demonstrates through properly signed, contemporaneous operating logs, or other relevant evidence that: ja.j The 5S0 was caused by severe natural conditions; there were no feasible alternatives to the SSO, such as the use of auxiliary treatment facilities, retention of untreated wastewater, reduction of inflow and infiltration, use of adequate back-up equipment, or an Increase In the capacity of the system. This provision Is not satisfied If, In the exercise of reasonable engineering judgment, the Permittee should have installed auxiliary or additional collections system components, wastewater retention or treatment facilities, adequate back-up equipment or should have reduced Inflow and Infiltration; or (b.I The SSO was exceptional, unintentional, temporary and Caused by factors beyond the reasonable control of the Permittee; the S50 could not have been prevented by the exercise of reasonable control, such as proper management. operation, and maintenance; adequate treatment or collection facilities or components (e.g., adequately enlarging treatment of colrectlon facilitles to accommodate growth or adequately controlling and preventing Infiltration and Inflow); preventative maintenance; or Installation of adequate back-up equipment;" Page i of 11 Incident Number # 202002047 — 6/22/2020 — 617 Granite Creek Dr. This spill was neither willful nor intentional, it was the result of a grease build-up, restricting the sewer flow within a section of 8-inch gravity sewer main. This build-up led to a sewer spill of approximately 4,000 gallons of untreated wastewater of which about 1,000 gallons reached the surface waters of Sanford Creek within the Smith Creek Basin. Approximately 3,000 gallons of wastewater rested within the natural topography of the land not reaching other major surface waters. On 06/22/2020, at approximately 11:54 AM, Sewer Maintenance staff was notified of a sewer spill emanating from a manhole adjacent to 617 Granite Creek Dr. Rolesville NC. The responding staff took all reasonable steps to stop and mitigate the impact of the discharge as soon as they arrived, gaining control of the spill event by 2:30 PM on the same day. Crews utilized hydraulic jetting to remove the source of the blockage within the affecting asset, thus restoring sewer flow. Containment, collection, cleanup, and restoration of this spill event consisted of employing a temporary spill containment site downstream of the affected area. This approach was intended to contain the flow of sewer and minimize the environmental impact on the surrounding land. This spill was contained without a significant environmental impact to the adjacent area and its natural resources. Visual inspection of the affected area and downstream waters confirmed that no fish kill or unnecessary vegetative damage occurred. During the restoration phase of the operation, crews utilized ample potable water to flush the affected area and to remove traces of sewer from the area surrounding the manhole and the downstream stormwater system. Crews employed pumps at the temporary containment site, to recover flushed wastewater and any evidence of sewer. The area around the manhole was cleared of debris, treated with an application of lime, and restored with grass seed and straw. A follow CCTV assessment of the affected asset was completed on 07/31/2020. The assessment found no infrastructure issues that could have caused the sewer event. Further CCTV assessment is scheduled to verify the effectiveness of the cleaning, post-SSO mitigation, in order to minimize the potential of a re -occurrence. No further issues have occurred at this site since this event. The cost associated with the mitigation of this event amounted to $3,842.83. The approximate cost to the Utility to have treated 4,000 gallons of wastewater would have been approximately $6.00. The City saved no money from this spill. The costs for cleanup exceeded the cost of treating the volume of sewage had no spill occurred. Furthermore, the City still had to pay the cost to treat the greater volume of sewage created by the spill. This section of the collection system serves a residential area east of Rogers Rd. in Rolesville, providing sewer collection services to over 200 residents. There have been no previous recorded sewer spills associated with this section of the sanitary sewer collection system. A press release notification, associated with this event, was requested to be published in the Raleigh News & Observer on 06/23/2020.Outreach information was mailed to 214 affected residents within the affected area. This outreach literature explains the need for customers to use the sanitary sewer collection system properly. It also serves as an opportunity for citizens to partner with Public Utilities to protect the City's water quality and the sewer collection infrastructure. (See enclosure 1 and 2 below) Page 2 of 11 Prior to this event, maintenance records .show that sections of this collection system were assessed as follows: Flushing activities Repair activities CCTV activities Inspection Easement activities maintenance 06/24/2020 07/17/2020 01/12/2018 12/16/2015 02/09/2017 07/10/2020 07/20/2018 6/18/2014 There have been no additional issues associated with this section of the collection system since the last sewer event. This site has been added to the Hot Spot Management Program for grease management with a recommended maintenance interval of every 90 days. Page 3 of 11 Incident Number # 202002101— 06/2-9/2020 — 5100 Simmons Branch Trail, Raleigh This spill was neither willful nor intentional, it was the result of debris blocking a portion of an 8- inch gravity sewer main. The blockage led to a sewer spill of approximately 570 gallons of untreated wastewater reaching surface waters of Simmons Branch within Simmons Basin. On 06/29/2020, at approximately 11:06 AM, Sewer Maintenance staff was conducting a CCTV assessment in the area near 5100 Simmons Branch Trail, Raleigh when the operator identified a manhole spilling over. The operator immediately summoned reactive maintenance to the site of the spill. The responding staff took all reasonable steps to stop and mitigate the impact of the discharge as soon as they arrived, gaining control of the spill event by 12:03 PM on the same day. Crews utilized hydraulic jetting to remove the source of the blockage within the affecting asset thus restoring sewer flow Containment, collection, cleanup, and restoration of this spill event consisted of employing a temporary sewer containment site downstream from the SSO location to stop the flow of sewer into the stream. Crews used two pumps at the temporary containment site, to recover the remaining sewer and pump it back into a downstream sewer manhole. During the restoration phase of the operation, crews utilized water from adjacent hydrants to defuse and flush the affected area. The area around the manhole was cleared of debris, treated with an application of lime, and restored with grass seed and straw. This spill was contained without a significant environmental impact to the adjacent area and its natural resources. Visual inspection of the affected area and downstream waters confirmed that no fish kill or unnecessary vegetative damage occurred. The cost associated with the mitigation of this event amounted to $3,698.08. The approximate cost to the Utility to have treated 570 gallons of wastewater would have been approximately $0.85. The City saved no money from this spill. The costs for cleanup exceeded the cost of treating the volume of sewage had no spill occurred. Furthermore, the City still had to pay the cost to treat the greater volume of sewage created by the spill. This section of the collection system serves a residential area east of Jones Franklin Rd., Raleigh. This system provides sewer collection to over 90 single-family properties. Before this event, maintenance records show that sections of this collection system were assessed as follows: Flushing activities Repair activities CCTV activities Inspection Easement activities maintenance 17/15/10 03/26/2020 7/15/2010 02/9/2018 06/29/2020 6/18/2013 6/15/2010 03/26/2018 6/19/2013 07/16/2020 06/4/2018 7/3/2013 11/21/2018 10/3/2014 02/6/2019 7/1/2015 02/19/2019 7/7/2015 06/24/2019 6/25/2018 12/19/2019 09/3/2019 01/7/2020 10/29/2019 04/3/2020 11/7/2019 04/7/2020 Page 4 of 11 The latest maintenance/inspection assessment for this site was conducted on 7/6/2020. CCTV inspection of the affecting assets identified an offset joint that may have attributed to the accumulation of debris in the main leading to the consequent spill. A follow-up work order has been scheduled to correct the pipe joint. There have been no additional issues associated with this section of the collection system since the last sewer event. This site has been added to the Hot Spot Management Program for debris management and repair with a recommended maintenance interval of every 60 days. Page 5 of 11 Incident Number # 202002114 — 6/30/2020 — 4000 Tryon Rd. Raleigh This spill was neither willful nor intentional, it was the result of substantial pipe tuberculation restricting sewer flow within an 8-inch Ductile Iron gravity sewer main. This asset failure led to a sewer spill of approximately 120,223 gallons of untreated wastewater reaching surface waters of Walnut Creek within Walnut Basin. On 6/30/2020, at approximately 12:30 AM, during a routine site assessment, Sewer Maintenance staff discovered sewer emanating from a sewer manhole, which had been utilized as a point of sewer bypass during the sewer rehabilitation project. Upon arrival, it was determined that debris had accumulated within the tuberculated pipe resulting in reduced flow capacity and the consequent sewer spill. The responding staff took all reasonable steps to stop and mitigate the impact of the discharge as soon as they arrived, gaining control of the spill event by 2:30 PM on the same day. Containment, collection, cleanup, and restoration of this spill event consisted of employing several temporary spill containment sites downstream of the affected area. This approach was intended to contain the flow of sewer and minimize the environmental impact on surrounding land and surface waters. This spill was contained without a significant environmental impact to the adjacent area and its natural resources. Visual inspection of the affected area and downstream waters confirmed that no fish kill or unnecessary vegetative damage occurred. This spill was attributed to the rehabilitation project of approximately 1,170 ft. of sewer gravity main laying under Interstate 40 near Gorman 5t., Raleigh. This Project was the result of a previous spill that occurred on May 7, 2020 (Incident Number 202001341) caused by pipe corrosion and tuberculation. The goal of this project was to ensure that the corrosion was not likely to cause an imminent failure under the Beltline. As part of the corrective action, a by-pass operation was set in place to allow CCTV work to occur, completing a pipe condition assessment. This assessment determined that there were no collapsed sections of pipe. Therefore, flow was reintroduced intermittently, only activating the by-pass during times of active cleaning or camera work. As the rehabilitation effort of the sewer main progressed, the Utility determined that the bypass operation could be deactivated during non -working hours (nights and weekends) re-establishing normal flow. Once sewer flow was fully re-established routine assessments and inspections determined the sewer main was capable to sustain flow capacity therefore not needing to be bypassed. During the time the sewer flow was restored, the bypass equipment remained in place to facilitate a proactive replacement of this line should another sewer spill occurred. The line subsequently backed up due to an unforeseen blockage under the beltline resulting in a spill event. Crews were able to swiftly reactivate the by-pass equipment stopping the overflow. During the restoration phase of the operation, crews utilized ample potable water to flush the affected area and to remove traces of sewer from the area surrounding the manhole and the downstream stormwater system. Crews employed pumps at the temporary containment site, to recover flushed wastewater and any evidence of sewer. The areas around the manhole were cleared of debris and washed with potable water. The area around the manhole was cleared of debris, treated with an application of lime, and restored with grass seed and straw. The restoration to this site was completed on 07/2/2020 cleaning approximately 5,000 ft of surrounding surface waters and adjacent land. Page 6 of 11 The cost associated with the mitigation of this event has amounted to $ 19,182.27. The approximate cost to the Utility to have treated 120,223 gallons of wastewater would have been approximately $180.00. The City saved no money from this spill. Its costs for cleanup exceeded the cost of treating the volume of sewage had no spill occurred. Furthermore, the City still had to pay the cost to treat the greater volume of sewage created by the spill. Repairs are currently ongoing which could incur higher costs for complete mitigation. This site continues to be an active sewer pipe rehabilitation project. Since June 30th, Utility Operators have conducted daily inspections, twice a day to ensure no other events are imminent. As of 07/29/2020 the integrity of the pipe has been restored allowing normal sewer flow to continue. Prior to this event, maintenance records show that sections of this collection system were assessed as follows: Repair Easement Flushing activities activities CCTV activities Inspection activities Maintenance 3/30/2010 6/5/2014 No records of 5/15/2010 8/6/2014 repairs or 3/23/2012 12/28/2014 improvements 9/22/2012 4/18/2015 for the last 10 12/29/2012 9/10/2015 years 3/10/2013 05/01/2018 6/12/2013 02/21/2018 3/20/2014 Activities 06/12/2017 04/6/2020 02/16/2018 09/25/2017 10/11/2018 06/02/2020 12/19/2018 06/03/2020 05/6/2019 O6/10/2020 07/12/2019 06/22/2020 08/6/2019 06/24/2020 This section of the collection system serves a commercial and residential area south of 40 and West of Gorman St., providing sewer collection services to several multi -dwelling properties and various commercial establishments. The last recorded sewer spill associated with this section of the sanitary sewer collection system occurred on 5/07/2020. A press release notification, associated with this event, was requested to be published in the Raleigh News & Observer on July 2"d, 2020. See picture below. Page 7 of 11 NOTICE OF DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED WASTE City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department On Tuesday , June 30th, 2020, at op• proxlmalely 12.30 PM, Raleigh Water - Sewer Maintenance Division sluff re- sponded to a sanitary sewer overflow lo- cated in the vicinity of 4000 Tryon Rd,r Raleigh NC. The cause of the overflow was related to a sewer pipe failure, dis• rupting the flow of a 8-Inch sewer gravi- ty main. The responding staff took all reasonable steps to stop and mlligole the impact of the overflow as soon as they arrived. The North Carolina De- partment of Environmental Qualily, Di- vision of Water Resources was notified Responding staff slapped the over- flow at approximately 2:30 PM on the some day. It is estimated that the over- flow discharged a volume of approxi- mately 120,223 gallons of untreated wastewater, reaching an unnomed Irlb- utary at Walnut Basin. Restoration asso- ciated to this sewer event Is ongoing. There were no observed fish killed or vegetative damaged associated with this event. The City of Raleigh has an aggressive education and enforcement program to prevent the discharge of grease, debris, and other improper materials in the sewer system and to take enforcement action where appropriate. Only water, human waste, and toilet tissue are Per - mined to be discharged Into the sewer system. This news release Is required by NCGS Article 21, Chapter 143.215.0 For more information, contact public Utilit- ies Director Robert Mossengill or assis- lanl Public Utilities Director T.J. Lynch at 919.996.4540. North Carolina Deportment Environ- ment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality was notified of the over- flow. NCO: July 2, 2020 Page 8 of 11 Summary The Division of Sewer Maintenance, Public Utilities Department, strives in developing initiatives that improve operational reliability with the goal to meet customer expectations and to meet or exceed the requirements of the Water Quality Collection System permit. Our operations are focused on continual improvement, the prevention of pollution, and increase efficiency in environmental performance. This is greatly noted as the Division continues to operate an ISO Certified Environmental Management System governed by the 14001-2015 Standards. As part of these initiatives, the Division operates a comprehensive reactive and preventative maintenance program whose goal is not only to maintain over 2600 miles of sanitary sewer pipe but also to minimize the accidental release of untreated wastewater. Since July 1, 2019 (Fiscal Year 2020), the Utility has maintained approximately 382 [11 miles of gravity sewer mains, by flushing with hydraulic jetting, CCTV assessments, repair operations, easement maintenance, and inspections. The fiscal year 2020 cost of these operations amount to $3,102,022.92, approximately 23% of the Division's annual operating budget. The total volume of sewer spills identified in this letter adds up to 124,723 gallons at a total mitigating cost of $26,723.18. The City saved no money from these spills. Their costs for cleanup exceeded the cost of treating the volume of sewage had no spill occurred. Furthermore, the City still had to pay the cost to treat the greater volume of sewage created by these spills. The City's cost of sewer treatment per gallon is $.0015 [2]. At this rate, it would have cost the City $187.08 to treat every gallon of sewer spilled. This fiscal comparison shows the City's commitment to environmental protection sparing no cost regardless of the severity and complexity of the spill event. The City continues to demonstrate due diligence in environmental performance by allocating the necessary resources to a spill event regardless of the associated cost. This effort is noted in the City's low SSO performance rate of 2.25 spills per 100 miles of pipe, compared to the Southeastern Region of the US, of 7.0 spills per 100 miles of pipe. (1) 382 miles represents 14%of the sanitary sewer collection system j21 S-0015 Is based on the annual water treatment operating cost compounded by the total treated effluent Additionally, City of Raleigh Assistant Public Utility Directors and Collections System staff has become involved in challenging the standards of the nonwoven fabrics industry to bring about a better understanding by consumers of these products and their detrimental effects on the collections systems. PUD staff has personally met with officers of INDA, the leading association of the non -woven fabrics industry based in Cary, NC, to communicate our concerns about these fabrics, the current industry standards, and better education for the consumer. PUD has also joined forces with other utilities nationwide through the National Association of Clean Waters Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Foundation (WEF), and the American Public Works Association (APWA) to challenge INDA and current industry standards, recognizing that they do not support compatibility in sanitarysewer collections systems nationally. These agencies are working collectively to challenge the testing protocols, assessment guidelines, and consumer education and labeling of these non -dispersible. Page 9 of 11 It is important to mention that the reportable sewer events identified in this letter for the month of June 2020, show that only one event was related to grease. Between January 1st and July 1st, 2020, 40% of reportable spills have been related to grease accumulation. Public Utilities continues to increase its educational outreach to reduce this trend. The Department has developed new educational material as well as informational videos designed to reach not only food service establishments but residential customers as well. The City is also developing initiatives to increase partnerships with residential customers to address grease accumulation and proper disposal. The educational material and videos can access through social media and our Department's website https://raleighnc.gov/sewer-maintenance In 2018 the Public Utilities Department increased the efforts of community outreach to further inform the community throughout direct participation in the City's Citizens Advisory Committees. Through this initiative, the Public Utilities Department has been able to reach numerous Council Districts with a consistent message of collaboration and environmental partnership. The Department is currently developing year three of this effort. Furthermore, this message has been made available not only to the community but to City Council officials as well. A sample of this message is attached to this letter for reference. The City continues its monetary reward program or bounty program, which pays out fifty ($50) dollars to any citizen that observes and reports an SSO or conditions that may cause a spill event. This program has been advertised via printed material, a television advertisement campaign, and graphic design "wraps" on Sewer Maintenance vehicles. These graphics on our vehicles function as mobile billboards spreading our message of prevention and offering contact information, throughout the service area each day. This program was developed with the hope that citizens and customers would become more aware of the signs of an emerging system problem causing the SSO occurrence and become proactive in helping the City to prevent these occurrences. Additionally, all customers are notified via their water and sewer utility bills not to discharge improper materials into the sanitary sewer mains. The City also circulates information regarding discharging of grease into the sewer system and the effects of such deposits. Whenever possible, and upon the investigation of the root cause of a spill event, PUD Code Enforcement officers develop and send registered informational letters about the spill event to the customer base serviced by the line where the SSO has occurred. This is done to educate our customers in the proper use of the sanitary sewers to prevent disposal of non-flushable items and items harmful to the continuous operation of the collections system. On behalf of the City of Raleigh, I am requesting that the NOV-NOI issued for the month of June 2020 be fairly reviewed taking into consideration the steps the Department has taken to protect the environment and meet or exceed the requirements of the Collections System Permit. If additional information is required, please contact Matthew Vessie, Sewer Maintenance Superintendent (919) 996- 2312 orT.1. Lynch, Assistant Public Utilities Director, at (919) 996-2316. Page 10 of 11 Sincere Carlos erez, ORC Assistance Superintendent, Sewer Maintenance Division City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department P.O. Box 590 Raleigh, NC 27602-0590 919-996-5929 office 919-278-6020 cell Carlos.perezcamachoOraleiehnc.Gov CC: Robert Massengill, Public Utilities Director T. I Lynch, Assistant Public Utilities Director - Wastewater Matthew P Vessie, Superintendent Sewer Maintenance Division Page 11 of 11 _ _.r� LBy E�� L 2 4 2020 ROY COOPER7. MICHAEL S. REGAN '� �.,,,, ,:% Srrrrinry �''��;�! m�' S. DANIEL SMITH NQR7P1�;R' )IJNA DAva" fnvreanracnfal Quallfy CERTIFIED AIL: 7 16 3569 0000 4428 7090 RETURN RECEIPIBEQUESTED July 13, 2020 Robert Massengill, Director Public Utilities City of Raleigh PO Box 590 Raleigh, NC 27602 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ISSUE CIVIL PENALTY Tracking No.: NOV-2020-DV-0309 Sanitary Sewer Overflows - June 2020 Collection System Permit No. WQCS00002 Raleigh Collection System Wake County Dear Mr. Massengill: A review has been conducted of the self -reported Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO's) 5-Day Reports submitted by City of Raleigh. The Division's Raleigh Regional Office concludes that the City of Raleigh violated Permit Condition I (2) of Permit No. WQCS00002 by failing to effectively manage, maintain, and operate their collection system so that there is no SSO (Sanitary Sewer Overflow) to the land or surface waters and the SSO constituted making an outlet to waters of the State for purposes of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1), for which a permit is required by G.S. 143-215.1. The Raleigh Regional Office is providing the City of Raleigh an opportunity to provide evidence and justification as to why the City of Raleigh should not be assessed a civil penalty for the violation(s) that are summarized below: Total Vol Total Surface incident Start Duration Vol Water Number Date (Mins) Location Cause (Gals) (Gals) DWR Action 202002047 6/22/2020 156 617 Granite Creek Dr Grease 4,000 1,000 Notice of Violation Notice of Intent 202002101 6/29/2020 R 57 W 5100 SIMMONS Debris in line 500 500 Notice of Violation BRANCH TRL 202002114 6/30/2020 120 4000 Tryon Road, Pipe Failure (Break) 120,223 120,223 Notice of Violation Raleigh, NC Notice of Intent Jf M10%Cam raDepanaartdErvr:r.rra•ta qua t; I Dva:r,fts{tt28tz;4Ini ,. fiate. 5qlIarea aD•vaIRaIsf rt»t,tee--tIIISC? This Notice of Violation / Notice of Intent to Enforce (NOV/NOI) is being issued for the noted violation. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.5A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. This office requests that you respond to this Notice, in writing, within 10 business days of its receipt. In your response, you should address the causes of non-compliance, remedial actions, and all other actions taken to prevent the recurrence of similar situations. The response to this correspondence will be considered in this process. Enforcement decisions will also be based on volume spilled, volume reaching surface waters, duration and gravity, impacts to public health, fish kills or recreational area closures. Other factors considered in determining the amount of the civil penalty are the violator's history of non-compliance, the cost of rectifying the damage, whether the spill was intentional and whether money was saved by non-compliance. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mitchell Hayes with the Water Quality Section in the Raleigh Regional Office at 919-791-4200 or via email at mitch.hayes@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, �X'74vx�� z�� Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Cc: Raleigh Regional Office - WQS File l.aserfiche �[?I:rtw.'tr� �►WolR+rlrlcFcfr•:rrrlell ��lsy I D��s:ro}t:n*:F*r.:=a� `� ;it g•Rig :r* Off :t19f?:Etertr.C-r:*I;itj•.►tauZrrre;M.:? �rr pL:.I�1+ii�S