WQCS00021_NOV-2022-DV-0056 RSP_20220302

WILSON
NORTH CAROLINA
March 2, 2022
Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
RE: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ISSUE CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking No.: NOV-2022-DV-0056
Sanitary Sewer Overflows — January 2022
Collection System Permit No. WQCS00021
Wilson Collection System
Wilson County
Mr. Vinson,
On January 19, 2022 at 8:OOAM, the City became aware of an active sewer spill along the
Bloomery Swamp Outfall. The City promptly responded to the sewer spill and sealed the leaking
joints of a surcharged manhole to stop the leak by 2:OOPM. At the time, the outfall was not passible
due to high water levels and further investigation into the cause of the surcharged manhole could
not be performed. Staff planned to re -visit the site the following day to further investigate.
Staff arrived back onsite on January 20, 2022 at 8:OOAM. The water levels had receded enough to
notice a portion of 15-inch RCP had partially collapse downstream of the manhole that was
surcharging the day before. This collapse resulted in an additional spill of approximately 9,000
gallons. A temporary bypass pump was set up by 2:00PM to divert all flow around the damaged
pipe.
The Bloomery Swamp Outfall had a previous spill (NOV-2021-DV-043) in August of 2021. At
the time, 347 linear feet of damaged RCP was ieplaced with PVC at a cost of $26,000.
Additionally, a second section of 426 linear feet of RCP was replaced with PVC as a preventative
measure at a cost of $22,000. Unfortunately, the new collapse was in a section that was not replaced
at that time.
The entire Bloomery Swamp outfall is set to be replaced as part of our capital improvement plan
within the next 12 to 24 months. The City submitted a CWSRF loan application in September of
2021 to assist with payment of the project. However, the City was notified on March 1, 2022 that
the project was not selected within that funding round. The City is in the process of preparing a
revised application for the Spring CWSRF funding round. The expected cost of the project is
approximately $6,400,000. We have received our sewer extension permits and are waiting on
funding to become available.
CITY OF WILSON
INCORPORATED 1849
CITY ENGINEER I P.O. BOX 10 11800 HERRING AVENUE I WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA 27894-0010 I TELEPHONE [phone] I FACSIMILE 252-399-2453
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

However, due to the apparent poor conditions of the remaining RCP between NC HWY 42 and
the "T" near the collapse on January 20, 2022, the decision has been made to move forward with
the replacement and upsizing of approximately 2,120 linear feet of existing 15-inch pipe including
the newly installed PVC and replacement of all existing manholes prior to receiving funding
through the SRF program. The City has also installed two bypass pumps at NC Hwy 42 and is
currently bypassing the entire 2,120 linear foot section until the new manholes and sanitary sewer
line are installed.
The initial response costs on January 19, 2022 and January 20, 2022 was $17,311. This includes
labor and materials for setting up the initial bypass pump over the partially collapse pipe and repair
of the line.
The City purchased and set-up a second bypass pump to allow for continuous bypass of the entire
gravity section in question at a cost of $112,671. This cost includes the 2,100 linear feet of 8-inch
HDPE piping used for the bypass operation.
The City also purchased 2,200 linear feet of 24-inch PVC and eight manholes at a cost of $289,255.
Bids were received on February 28, 2022 for the installation of the new pipe and manholes. The
apparent low bid amount was $294,830 by Owens Construction. The contract will be immediately
executed and the installation of the new pipe and manholes will begin as soon as the manholes
arrive. The expected delivery date for the manholes is four to six weeks. Shop drawings for the
manholes were approved by Green Engineering on February 28, 2022 to allow fabrication.
The City of Wilson believes a fine is not warranted for the above -mentioned violations. The City
took immediate action to stop the sewer spill and took further action to prevent additional spills
from occurring. As a result of both of these incidences and the previous spill in August, 2021, the
City has spent approximately $65,311 in repairs. Additionally, the City has fast -tracked the line
replacement for this portion of the outfall and will commence work with Owens Construction in
the next few weeks at a cost of approximately $696,756 (labor, materials, and bypass operation).
The City will be spending an additional $6,400,000 for the replacement of the entire outfall line in
the near future. Monies spent on a civil penalty would only potentially delay the eventual
replacement of the outfall, decrease money available for continued system maintenance, and
further increase existing budgetary constraints.
Please call me at [phone] if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Kyle F. Manning, PE
Civil Engineer
cc: Grant W. Goings — City Manager
W. T. Bass IV, PE — Public Works Director