WQCSD0059_NOVNOI2021DV0007_RESP_20210120

1 | Page
CITY OF SALUDA
NORTH CAROLINA
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
G. Landon Davidson P.G. Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
RE: NOV-2021-DV-0007, Permit No. WQCSD0059
Dear Mr. Davidson,
The Laurel Drive lift station was impacted on December 24th, 2020 by heavy rains that produced
I & I along with an abnormal failure of both pumps in our lift station wet well which caused the
overflow of 1,500 gallons onto the surface area and subsequent creek. Our On-Call Public
Works personnel responded to our alarm system and assessed the situation with our Vacuum
truck that is now part of our Water and Sewer response equipment that the city purchased in
2019 to mitigate these types of issues. We alleviated the overflow with our Vac truck while we
worked on and repaired one pump to bring the station back on as needed. We have since ordered
and installed two new pumps and have two rebuilt pumps as backups in our inventory, we are
currently working with McGill and Associates on an AIA grant to begin a Capital Improvement
Reserve for replacement of this lift stations main inflow line and other secondary lines in this
basin. We are currently working with a utility contractor to obtain a quote on the costs to
improve the Laurel Drive lift station force main outflow pipe system, so we do not continue to
produce back pressure issues on the pumps. Last week an electrician was brought to the site to
price surge protection equipment as we have issues with the single-phase pumps because of
spikes in the power grid on this electric service line that have been reported to Duke Energy
several times to no avail. We would request that the fine be waived so we instead use the monies
to procure these remedies mentioned and allow us to continue to work on the system to improve
our outcomes in the future. Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
MAYOR
Fred Baisden
CITY MANAGER
Steven Orr
COMMISSIONERS
Mark Oxtoby
Paul C. Marion
Stan Walker
Bob Ross
2 | Page
Sincerely,

Steven Orr
City Manager

Office: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Address:
6 E. Main St.
PO Box 248
Saluda NC, 28773