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Home My WebLink About18 Sanitary Sewage Related InvestigationsJ N ry%i. erNl lat'k, ek,, e nvestigation.- s Y .' � I _ .� .r -� :�i. � Ail 3 _ • � +` L� �'� �.. _. - �.r .. .-� � . - -�.r� _� f .� � • _ ( rl� a ,, .a 'ya INAA �►1- _� �� x \.T" i,A1,r Y . ,/i . - �+�il'1 � {�'y Y a 'S 4.1.1� l - � '- ,� '• �.y it '4 f + -4 i r +Yrx�W . � t� f y fin'. t4 i+"} E } �►► Omp, 4',b"! 01 1AA— ;+ rev ,. , •� ' r°� j� , P. , JA'� JAI ,,Ir - ,�. , y.�� '�`• ."rid b .� i1 ' r�r ��, _ _ / ., ��.i Ir r.T r Si rYt .I 1. N jrg IICY.7 �r_�,� f Y w •� 40 Vv AO so The sewage system carries wastewater from inside residences and businesses to a wastewater treatment plant. Within this system, the pipes that connect private properties to the main service lines are called service laterals. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of service laterals from their buildings until the pipes transition onto public property (generally within the street right - How a Sewer System Works BUSINESS Grease Tr I- kkk Trap RESIDENCE Downspout ■ ■ train water 74ts iw the slam dra4n syveir, not the WAVO � 0 � V '*0 q Private / Service Laterals ClctanouV / Manhole of -way). I City Main Sewer Line Cteanout �j Ma„ tie City Main Sewer Line Wastewater Treatment Plant How do sewage discharges occur? A sewage spill occurs when wastewater leaks from a broken pipe or backs up and overflows through a manhole or cleanout. If it is not contained within a short amount of time, this sewage will flow over land and may enter a drainage system or a local stream or lake. A sewage spill is sometimes called a sanitary sewer overflow. Other sources: Illicit connections, pump station failures, septic tank failures Signs of a sewer spill Sewage spills may be water gushing from a manhole or a slow leak. The sewage is likely to be gray and will probably stink. You should keep an eye out for: • Drains backing up inside of buildings • Unaccounted for wet areas (ground/landscape around a building, sidewalks, external walls) • Water leaking or gushing around manhole lids, cleanouts, or outside drains • Gray/discolored streams • Presence of ammonia or detergents from Chemet tests Common Causes of Sewage Spills Grease is the most common cause of pipe blockages that lead to overflows. Grease builds in pipes and eventually blocks the flow of wastewater. It is important to never put grease, fats, or oils down any drain that leads to the sewer system! Grease gets into the sewer from household drains and from poorly maintained commercial grease traps and interceptors. Common Causes of Sewage Spills Structural problems caused by tree roots, shifting of soil, broken/cracked pipes, missing or broken cleanout caps, or undersized sewers can cause blockages and Spills. Rooi IOrPiyn vurcci F' :: 71 NPOOmr— . �s Misaligned (upursred) CoUmpsed Common Causes of Sewage Spills Infiltration and inflow happen when groundwater or rainwater enters the sewer system through manhole covers, pipe defects and illegal connections. Pipes are not large enough to carry rain water along with wastewater and this can cause wastewater to back up in a system. Infiltration: ground water that seeps into the sanitary sewer through cracks or joints. Inflow. rain water that enters the sanitary sewer through holes in manhole covers, catch basins, or improper plumbing connections. WASTEWATER FROM DWELLING INLET BAFFLE Sewage pump station failure Can be caused by lack of maintenance, obstruction, or an electrical problem can also lead to wastewater backing up in a system. (Note: Private sewage pumps are typically used when the City's sewer main is elevated more than the private service line. Not all private service lines use them.) FLOATING EFFU SLUDGE OUTLET BAFFLE EFFLUENT TOCHAMBER .I EFFLUENT TO ABSORPTION AREA ALARM FLOAT ON FLOAT Illicit Connections Illicit connection means any drain, junction, or conveyance, whether on the surface or subsurface, that can discharge nonstormwater discharges, such as sewage, process wastewater, or wash water, to the MS4 or to watercourses. Illicit connections include, but are not limited to, interior floor drains, whether or not previously allowed under the building code. (City Ordinance §70-493) J How a septic system works Source Well :::: Tank Drainfield 100 feet 12 to 18 inches Treatment and of vertical separation dispersal in soil rcundwa#er Figure 1. Wastewater treatment and dispersal in the environment (riot to scale). • A septic system consists of three main parts: the septic tank, the drainfield or leachfield, and the soil beneath the drainfield • Wastewater flows into the tank and heavier solids settle to the bottom (sludge layer), which are retained in the tank. • After about two days the liquid (sewage effluent) flows out of the tank into the drainfield. • The drainfield delivers the sewage effluent to the soil where treatment of the wastewater occurs. Septic Tank Failure Most septic systems will fail over time. These systems are designed to have a lifetime of 20 to 30 years, under the best conditions. Eventually, the soil around the absorption field becomes clogged with organic material, making the system unusable. - Poor maintenance - Excessive water use Responding to Different Types of Sewer Related Issues • City sanitary sewer overflow (SSO), leak, or break (often reported by Water and Sewer Maintenance) - Leaking or overflowing private sewer service laterals • Illicit connections to a receiving stream or stormwater system (City or private) • Septic tank failure Verify location and ownership on GIS or map prior to investigating Eur.& v s r**AU* b&JIB h + S{t�yNCIf 1G - ._ ._�y�, %Y� C• , fl �41{� - B f Tt� � A Al ? �L�l I J 9 MGr#�rlf�l; llS - ' �R 1 No + ❑+ Fbf�Ylp i + ❑ I Ida F ® TldM1ipOr#dk�M1 ❑i p►yer 6ast� - Watm and Sewer + ❑ Yam& + 0 Sewer + 0 Se+Wy + ❑ [use Sewer ❑ {o* by Stream Nam • ® Mf'*4x + ❑ f MMrmerdal :+. ❑ p+aperty :' ❑ PiarRlq 't❑fir A AerW Photw+lm q!ff km - Locati ; JZMMIAM 8ib,x&"Fertk A F Itdrntf ed t Fratut FUN Yd..le WaterType P &.Scum ler D A4Sipg' 'F•M Grou ym M ba Po kraW On trifflM rm False Ow"t tam WOW" C%WW aY a9 WNW IMO&I&MM Staum layp[�9D 4 1P r Always grab a tablet PC and Chemet Kit (make sure it is stocked with ammonia ampoules and 1500 indicator solution) City Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) reported by W&S Maintenance Report to the location of the spill and observe conditions (how much spilled, where it's discharging to, duration of the discharge, etc.) �j 111, A117 ,W 5s� 'yr. t 1 10 1 0 4�� 1 61 "Ai Use tablet PC to track sewage downstream - .AW ` Pump contaminated -� ►� water back into sanitary sewer system .. Traced sewage: ` downstream to here ,.mow y e , t Legend Seeder Manholes Ilk, Gravity Main ,. F Storm Pipes Type CULVERT ■ STORMWATER # STUB UNKNOWN rl Sanitary see^,per a;,Feifla�, Storm Drains ►w.', from manhole ti r4 z Type ■ COMBO INLET y y y0 #'#r '•�7 END SECTION ' +�� Trace sewage downstream through visual indications and ammonia tests until ammonia measures < 1.0 mg/L 5�'zCpX� Il 5�Trw 1iF y J P61 0 In this case a beaver dam contained the majority of the spill Aabl-- J Ammonia > 10 mg/L Ammonia < 1.0 11W Is L-O;r, ' - * Y%io. T� � �Y , '0C� Ste$ w' �YI•�MMZ ,�, .. .. ..T F T' ~ -++- 14, W * c rN As Ao ON �l F � Y � /'�/�+i '�F � �'}�\ �_ �=�n � •• i" � �-ma's �.� � � '05� yg- T-sL�:�C .,�e � i'T' ,>Ft '�? .�Yy y f � Yq'S.. _ � 'Y '�_ . �`•3 � P A�� } t. � - � �l' �'� S at,T,?.. tic . t...• . _ y�V i 14 S r/: If the sewer overflow or break is private... 1. Locate the source of the discharge 2. Contact the responsible party ASAP and notify them of the problem 3. Communicate that immediate action needs to be taken to stop the discharge, clean up the sewage, and fix the problem 4. Follow the same procedures for tracking ammonia downstream to determine the necessary remediation 5. Notify the State Division of Water Resources if the amount and extent of the discharge meets the reporting requirements 6. Issue a NOV or NOR with the appropriate corrective actions Corrective Actions for Private Sewer Spills For overflows: • Clear the blockage and stop the discharge (usually involves hiring a plumber or having a maintenance crew do this work) • If sewage reaches the storm drainage system or a stream, pump sewage back into the sanitary sewer collection system (permission needed to access City sewer manholes) • Rake up sewage solids on the ground and dispose of in the trash • Apply hydrated lime to affected ground near source of overflow and cover with straw (lime should not be applied to drainage ditches or near streams) For leaks and breaks: • In addition to the corrective actions above, any broken part of the private system (service lateral, cleanout, pump station, grease trap, etc.) must be repaired or replaced by a licensed plumber Illicit connections to a receiving stream or stormwater system (City or private) Locate the source of the connection if not known already Use Chemet tests, pH, and/or conductivity to track flow (if present) upstream Dye test may be necessary to verify source of connection i ti Sewage detected in stormdrain ` Illicit connection oilMt � - r Legend Sewer Manholes ► Gravity Main Storm Pipes Type # Y CULVERT ► STORM WATER STUB r UNKNOWN Storm Drains . ape ..... ■ COMBO INLET A END SECTION r r'. MANHOLE Hai .�. €gym 49 M a) E — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 Ammonia (as Nitrogen), PPM (mgfL) CAT. NO.: C-1510 f[HEM e1fiC5 _ STORE fN THE DARK Exp. Date. Dec. 2012 Lot No., 75742 fa J VLR�� M f vi a r Get permission to dye test and confirm connection propriate contacts using the email distribution list DyeTestAlerts@durhamnc.gov) as UID 'DERV VG DYE clluu• {reed AL use ,M �srys.r 1—e W, R- � NaRLABiNG 1FRsr eox 4aoo� o, oHio o-1 Y �441,1 AN q UA �orlgbdYe`'�oo I 4 t * jol it �. I •{ f l ve Actions for Illicit Connections Immediately cease the use of this illicit connection for the discharge of wastewater or wash water. Remove entirely or completely block the inlet to this conveyance. Contact City of Durham Stormwater Services 12/30/11 $262.50 upon completion. If applicable, provide a report (or receipt) of plumbing repair costs to Stormwater Services. See additional comments section. V n� ' �tM� •ry . ;e x�T4� F,dr +L1 S .- Septic Tank Failure Corrective Actions for Septic Systems • Obtain a sewer tap to the city's sanitary sewer main line. You should contact the City of Durham Public Works Department, Engineering Services Division (919) 560-4326 immediately to schedule this installation and make payment arrangements. • Disconnect all plumbing waste lines that drain to your septic system and connect all plumbing waste lines from your residence to the City of Durham's sanitary sewer system via the sewer tap described in correction item #1. A City of Durham plumbing permit must be obtained before commencement of this corrective action. This remedial work must also meet the requirements specified under the North Carolina Plumbing Code. For questions relating to the plumbing code, contact Dana Inebnit, Chief Plumbing Inspector at (919) 560-4497. • After completing corrective actions # 1 & 2; Remove all liquids and solids remaining in the septic tank and properly dispose of such. Many local septic pumping companies are available and provide both pumping and disposal services. One way to find a local company is to look in the phone book yellow pages under septic tanks (cleaning & repairing). • After completing corrective actions # 1, 2, & 3; you must perform one of the following actions: (a) remove the septic tank from the premises and fill in the affected area with suitable fill material, (b) leave the septic tank in place, completely crush the septic tank, and fill in the affected area with suitable fill material, or (c) leave the septic tank in place, remove the cover, and fill the inside of the septic tank and affected area with suitable fill material. This action renders the septic system useless and prevents a cave-in hazard. Suitable fill material includes uncontaminated soil, gravel, or sand.