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Home My WebLink About01.5 Investigations TriageInvestigations Complaint Triage PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM How to determine what kinds of complaints are "investigable" 919.560.4326 DurhamNC.gov Follow Us @GtyofDurhamNC O Evaluating Pollution Complaints To be investigable, a complaint or report must allege sufficient facts to implicate the drainage system, surface waters, or both. Complaints that lack necessary details cannot be effectively investigated. Necessary facts are: 1. A location precise enough to direct our efforts efficiently 2. A discernable pollution issue PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Why is location important? 1. To determine whether the problem is within City Limits 2. To direct our investigation efforts PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM City Jurisdictional Limits General Rule: A pollution complaint must be located physically within the City limits for WQ to be able to investigate http://pwgis/maps/pubIicworks/advanced.htmI?config=waterguaIity EXCEPT: • City property/assets outside of limits • Incidents outside that flow inside PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Discernable Pollution Issue • To be investigable, a complaint must allege sufficient facts to implicate the drainage system, surface waters, or both • What kinds of facts are sufficient? First hand sensory description First hand observation of incident leading to discharge • Photo or video evidence clearly showing issue If possible, you should gather additional facts from a complainant. This could make a problem easier to pinpoint. It could also turn a non -investigable matter into an investigable one. PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Examples of Insufficiency • General odor complaints • General concerns/inquiries about unsafe stream water PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Construction Sites • Site with >12,000 sq. ft. disturbed area 4 Durham County • Sites with >1 ac. disturbed area 4 NPDES stormwater permit from State • Sites developed under public funding 4 State PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Trash and Debris • Nuisance and appearance issues at residential properties 4 NIS • Construction debris 4 Zoning enforcement PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM Stream Buffer Issues City -County Planning PUBLIC WORKS CITY OF DURHAM