WQCS00003_NOV2021DV0137_20210312

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nston-Salem / Forsy[h County
Uatetilities
Wr •Wastewater • SDlid Waste
Administration, P.O. Box 2511, Winston-Salem, NC 27102
O: 336-727-8000, F: 336-727-8432, cityofws.org/utilities
March 10, 2021
Lon
T. Snider, Regional
rvisor
North Carolina Departmenteof Environmental Quality Fnv °�m otmPnt o
Division of Water Resources ReceivedQual y
450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 MAR
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 W1 S Zo21
Reg onal p 0e
Re: Sanitary Sewer Overflow Civil Penalties Incident #202003353
Dear Mr. Snider:
This letter serves as the official response from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities to the
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources Notice of
Intent to Enforce Civil Penalty for the November 23, 2020 sanitary sewer overflow (SSO),
Incident #202003353, located at 114 Cassell Street in Winston-Salem. The incident was a result
of pipe failure due to severe natural conditions.
On November 23 at 8:00pm, Utilities Field Operations was notified of an SSO on the sewer
outfall at 114 Cassell Street. Heavy rains earlier in the month had eroded the Park Branch creek
bank which caused the sewer main to collapse and break. First responders used a backhoe to
dig around the pipe and make a temporary repair. The crew created a containment berm that
diverted flow back into the pipe. They also installed a temporary section of sewer main and
used fast -set cement to seal the ends of the pipe.
The spill lasted approximately five hours and was resolved by 1:00am the following morning. A
diffuser was deployed for approximately eight hours and the spill area was cleaned following
protocol.
This site has been added to an existing capital project so a more permanent repair can be
completed and the stream bank stabilized. Easements for the new alignment are currently
being acquired and the permanent repair will soon follow.
Coy Council: Mayor Allen Joines; Denise D. Adams, Mayor Pro Tempam, North Ward; Barbara Hanes Burke, Northeast Ward; Robert C. Clark West Ward;
John C Larson, South Ward; Jeff Macintosh, Northwest Ward; Kevin Mwidy, Southwest Ward; Annette 5cipplo, East Ward; James Taylor, Jr„ Southeast Ward;
City Manager: Lee D. Garrity
County Commissioners: David R. Plyler, Chair; Don Martin, Vice Chair; Fleming EI-Amin; Ted Kaplan; Richard V. Linville; Tanya McDaniel; Gloria D. Whisenhunt;
Call311 or 336.727-0000 County Manager: Dudley Watts, Jr.
Winston-Salem/Porsyth County Uelay Commfsslon: Randall S. Tuttle, Chair; L Wesley Curtis, Jr., Vice Chair; Harold E. Day; Tam Griffin; Yvonne H. Hines;
[e-mail]0 Duane Lon& Hugh W.Jernigan; Chris Parker; Donald R.Stewart; Charles Wilson, Allen Younger

WSFC Utilities continues to make progress in minimizing SSOs and has the proper programs in
place to continue our high level of performance. Our comprehensive sanitary sewer evaluation
study has provided strategic cleaning and examination of our system to identify areas with the
greatest need for repair and replacement. This project demonstrates our ability to pivot quickly
to address critical improvements, as well as our commitment to investment in infrastructure.
I hope this information is helpful with your investigation of Incident #202003353. If you require
additional information, please contact me at 336-747-7315.
Sincerely,
"Pmwt
Courtney Driver, P.E.
Utilities Director
cc: Michael Stover, P.E., Assistant Utilities Director -Operations
Kenny Atkins, Utilities Field Operations Manager
Antonio Martinez, ORC
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