HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQCS00003_NOV2021DV0137_20210312 (2)Winston-Salem /Forsyth County
Uti 1 ities
Water •Wastewater •Solid 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 Supervisor
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
NC Department of
Environmental Quality
Received
Re: Sanitary Sewer Overflow Civil Penalties Incident #202003159
Dear Mr. Snider:
MAR 12 2021
Winston-Salem
Regional Office
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 12, 2020 sanitary sewer overflow (SSO),
Incident #202003159, located at 2536 LaDeara Crest Lane in Winston-Salem. The incident was a
result of inflow and infiltration due to severe natural conditions during Tropical Storm Eta.
Normal precipitation at Winston-Salem Airport for the month of November is 3.11 inches. In
November 2020, more than 6.65 inches fell and 5.37 inches of that was during the November
11-12 storm event. Rain began falling at 2:00am on November 11 and did not subside until
7:00pm on November 12. Gage height information for Abbotts Creek (Lexington) and the
Yadkin River (Yadkin College) indicate that both exceeded flood stage with a rise on the order of
18-20 feet during the rainfall period. This heavy rain caused Boulevard Branch to flood outside
of its banks.
On November 12 at 11:05am, first responders arrived at 2536 LaDeara Crest Lane and
discovered an SSO behind the buildings, in front of the fence line. It was evident that the SSO
was a result of heavy rain and flash flooding caused by the tropical storm. The spill was slightly
over 1,000 gallons, it lasted less than an hour and was resolved by 12:00pm. The crew
immediately used their combo jet/vac truck to clean and sanitize the area following protocol.
Clry Council: Mayor Allen Joines; Denise D. Adems, Mayor Pra Tempore, North Wad; Barbara Hanes Burke, Northeast Wald; Robert C. Clark, West Ward;
John C Larson, South Ward; Leff Madntosh, Northwest Wad; Kevin Mundy, Sauthwest Ward; Annette Scippic, East Ward; James Taylor, Jr, Southeast Word;
City Manager: Lee D. Garrity
County Commissioners: David R. Plylen Chair, Don Martin, Vice Chair Fleming El -Amin; Ted Kaplan; Richard V. Limille; TUnya McDaniel; Gloria D. Whlsenhuntl
Call 311 or 336-727,8000 county Manager: Dudley Wafts, In
Wlnatun-Salem/F..,lh County Utility Cammissian: Randall S. Tuttle, Chair, L. Wesley Curtis, In, Vice chair, Harold E. Day, Tam Griffin; Warne H. Hines;
CltylinkPicityofWS.ortj Duane Lang; Hugh W.lemigan; Cads Parker; Donald R.Stmiart; Chades Wilson; Allan 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.
I hope this information is helpful with your investigation of Incident #202003159. If you require
additional information, please contact me at 336-747-7315.
Sincerely,
N,
Courtney Driver, P.E.
Utilities Director
cc: Michael Stover, P.E., Assistant Utilities Director -Operations
Kenny Atkins, Utilities Field Operations Manager
Antonio Martinez, ORC
File