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Home My WebLink About2020 Investigations Training PresentationPUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Investigations Refresher Training 2020 Complaint #1 An anonymous caller called the hotline. The caller states that there is a pressure washing company at 2352 So Hi Drive that is pressure washing a walkway and letting it flow into a nearby creek. PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Complaint #2 January 20, 2019 To: StormWaterQuality�durhamnc.gov From: City of Durham Engineer Re: Private Sewer Leak Stormwater Folks, A resident at 1117 Onslow St called me today, and said that XYZ Fiber, working for WeGenComplaints Utility Company has drilled through their sewer lateral, causing a sewer spill. They sent photographs that I can provide. The sewage is puddled up next to the street. The resident is concerned that with the forecast for rain tomorrow, the sewage will be carried into Ellerbe Creek. Thank you for looking into this matter. Ms. Chief Engineer PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM 6111141r ir ■ - - . anUflip-cold ob "PON la Complaint Triage How should these be handled? 1. Pressure washing 2. Residential sewer spill 3. Trap grease spill PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Complaint Triage Always ask yourself: "Is this a Water Quality problem?" — Does the complaint implicate contamination of • surface waters? • the MS4? — Just because we are the only environmental agency in the jurisdiction does not mean you should force a connection between a pollution problem and the drainage system. We have specific • Expertise • Equipment • Authority — Is the complaint an actual problem? Or, is it a possible problem? • NO PRE -CRIME • Weigh out the likelihood that a problem may occur with the severity of the problem if it occurs. PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Complaint Triage Types of things that are not necessarily actionable by us: — Leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) — Leaking aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) where there is little to no likelihood that the drainage system will be affected — Inert objects cast into streams by unidentified responsible parties — Piles of materials (stone, mulch, etc.) in streets ready for use when no rain is forecast PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Complaint Triage How should these be handled? 1.Pressure washing 2.Residential sewer spill 3.Trap grease spill PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM 1. 2352 So Hi Drive - Always check the complaint location in the GIS system. PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Fiber complaints are unique PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM A quick search in the investigations database gives us this: 17WQ023- Illicit Discharge of wet sediment to a storm drain by XYZ Fiber, working for NotSo6ad Utilities- an NOR was issued to both. 18WQ201- Illicit Discharge of wet sediment to a storm drain by XYZ Fiber, working for WeGenComplaints Utilities- an NOV was issued to both. 19WQ256- Illicit Discharge of sewer to a creek by XYZ Fiber, working for WeGenComplaints Utilities- an NOV was issued to both. 19WQ330- Current complaint. PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM You find the contact information of XYZ Fiber from the last investigation, and call the potential responsible party. For 19WQ256, Mr. ILikeShortcuts, working for XYZ admits that his crew hit a sewer lateral, duct taped it back together, and buried it. Does this change the priority level? E,. PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM .t r Start Here What do you need to do before leaving the office? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM IDDE SOP Office Prep Steps • WQ complaint log • SWIM hotline • Contact the complainant • Jurisdiction • Investigation history • Industrial site? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM DURHAM 1869 CITY OF MEDICINE ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION [IDDE] INVESTIGATIONS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES Where are we going? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Drainage map PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM .i Aerial photo PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM What will you need to bring with you? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM ❑ Water QualitylnvestigationForm with contactand complaintinfonnation ❑ Safety nest ❑ Steel -toe safetyshoes orboots ❑ Hardhati safetyglasses,and earprotection (must be worn on some work sites) ❑ Camera ❑ Cellphone ❑ City -issued business cards ❑ City sued identifrcatioa badge ❑ Tablet PC or printedArcGlSmap ofappropriatearea and utilities LAB AN D O RAG E R rr ❑ CheckChemetricskitsforammonia,MaAS,chlorine,eopper,phenols(amp oulesand stabilizersoluti ons)_ . Finptyfull chemerrics waste bottles rrnEo appropnorf econfumers In the lob hazardous wasiae cabinet Calrbrate Meters rf needed: Y5l Professional Plvs multi-parametermeter ❑ OaktorrfCTestrloworTDSTestr3conductivitypens OuktorrWP pHTester- 2 pH pens Hach Turbrdimeter Model 2100P Hach Chlorinerrreter ❑ Perrsialticpump, butterY, and tubing ❑ Nitrilegloves ❑ Flashlighifspovight VEHICLE ❑ CHECKLIST Firstaidkit ❑ Tracing dynes {checicforgaarriityrand variety} ❑ AMarrholehooks ❑ Safety cones ❑ Plasu samplepole u►fffh p ❑ mailegloves ❑� Sufficierntfuel in vehicle ❑ Oahertoolsasneeded{shovel,nrachete,soliouger,eta.} PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM DURHAM 1869 CITY OF MEDICINE ILLICIT DISCHARGE DETECTION AND ELIMINATION (IDDE) INVESTIGATIONS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES Arrive on Scene wi PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Evidence Observed • Trail of oily discharge on pavement • Discharge appears to run along curbsides • Tend to find larger puddles near trash cans or driveways • No oil discharged into any inlets ... yet • Rain is forecast for tomorrow What other observations would you make? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Identifying the responsible party • What sort of evidence do you need? • How do you make contact with the RP? • How do you handle that initial interaction with the RP? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Working with the responsible party • What is our role in resolving this incident? • What guidance do you provide? • Does this need to be reported to any external agencies? • What are the criteria for reporting? • What steps do you take to move the ball forward? • What are your criteria for closing the investigation? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Difficulty level of the previous scenario.... PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Difficulty level of this scenario.... PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Plot Twist This subdivision is NOT serviced by City Solid Waste Management What now? • How do you determine the identity of the RP? • How do you get contact info for the RP? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM RP: Garbage-R-Us • Garbage-R-Us • Regional Manager: Celia Cruz • Office: Cary, NC Working with the responsible party • What is our role in resolving this incident? • What guidance do you provide? • Does this need to be reported to any external agencies? • What are the criteria for reporting? • What steps do you take to move the ball forward? • What are your criteria for closing the investigation? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM RP Actions • Spill Busters is hired to perform spill response • Arrive in timely fashion • Perform complete cleanup • Proper disposal documented PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Enforcement • Do we pursue enforcement action? • If so, against whom? • What type of notice do you issue? • What corrective action(s) do you require? Difficulty level of previous scenario.... PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Difficulty level of this scenario.... PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Plot Twists • Garbage-R-Us services the subdivision • The RP refuses to take responsibility. Says driver didn't follow protocols, therefore driver should handle the cleanup. • You observe that there is oil in several catch basins. Rain is imminent. Also, this is seen at the catchment retention pond: v k1 •�. .AIM , PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM — y - C • ^File 0 PUBLIC WOF What now? • RP refuses to take action • Are there any other RPs? If so, who? • What are our options to immediately address the problem? PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Can the City take action? • Stormwater & GIS Services has a spill cleanup fund • That money is allocated, but not approved for spending • Approvals: • < $3,000 = PW Director • $3,000 - $50,000 = City Manager • > $50,000 = City Council • Procedure forgetting cleanup costs approved: • Discuss with IDDE supervisor, who presents to WQ Manager • If given the go-ahead, pursue three quotes for the work • Lowest quote that matches scope of work wins • That quote is presented to Director, City Manager, etc. as appropriate PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Enforcement • Do we pursue enforcement action? • If so, against whom? • What type of notice do you issue? • What corrective action(s) do you require?