WQCSD0735_NOV-2021-DV-0403 Response_20210927

RECEIVED/NCDEQ/DWR
SEP ( zuL1
Aqua North Carolina, Inc.
4163 Sinclair Street
Denver, NC 28037
September 27, 2021
Mr. W. Corey Basinger
Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
DWR, NCDEQ
610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
S
MOORESVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
www.aquanorthcarolina.com
Re: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2021-DV-0403
Sanitary Sewer Overflow — August 2021
Parkway Crossing, Collections System Permit No. WQCSD0735
Mecklenburg County
Dear Mr. Basinger:
In response to the NOV issued on September 22, 2021 Aqua North Carolina, Inc. (Aqua) submits
the following information.
The cause of the blockage and subsequent discharge of sewage which occurred on August
4, 2021, was due to a small cloth/rag that had been flushed into the collection system. This
towel passed through the pump and then clogged the force main. The clog increased the
pressure in the force main and broke the force main at a cleanout. While the cleanout had
been protected by a protective ring, the clean out cap may have been damaged during an
unrelated event, possibly hit by a lawnmower.
Upon notification of the discharge, Aqua immediately shut off the pump station. A test plug
was used to seal the cleanout, and the force main was re -pressurized while observing both the
manhole and the cleanout. The manhole did not immediately flow until the pressure forced the
cloth/rag through the force main and into the gravity sewer manhole.
During the SSO, no evidence could be located in the storm drain which would indicate
discharge to surface water. After the SSO was stopped, Aqua applied lime to the ground in the
affected area and a permanent cleanout cap was installed.
An Aqua America Company

Aqua does semi-annual mailings to its customers advising of the harm that can be done by
flushing grease and non -biodegradable material and requests their cooperation in preventing
issues from flushing these types of items.
Aqua takes our responsibility to operate our systems properly and maintain compliance
very seriously, and with consideration that we operate 59 wastewater systems has a good
record of minimizing the number and volume of SSOs. Issues involving inappropriate discharge
by contractors and homeowners into the collections system are problematic for almost all
utilities, and we and most other utilities work to educate our customers. When the issues
occur, we diligently respond to mitigate the issue and prevent recurrence. If you have any
additional recommendations to minimize recurrence, please let me know.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone].
Sincerely,
Laurie Ison
Area Manager, Western NC
cc: Joseph Pearce, Director of Operations, Aqua NC
NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit
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