NC0025909_5-Day Bypass Report_20200520

North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Spill/Bypass Reporting Form (August 2014)

WWTP Upset , Spill, or Bypass 5-Day Reporting Form
(Please Print or Type Use Attachments if Needed)

Permittee: ___Town of Rutherfordton_________ Permit Number: ______NC002590_______
Facility Name: ________Rutherfordton WWTP____ County: ___Rutherford_________________

Incident Started: Date: 05-19-2020_____________ Time: 3:00 pm_____
Incident Ended: Date: 05-19-2020___________ Time: 5:45 pm

Level of Treatment:

___None ___Primary Treatment _X__Secondary Treatment ___Chlorination/Disinfection Only

Estimated Volume of Spill/Bypass: _76,000 Gallons__(must be given even if it is a rough estimate)

Did the Spill/Bypass reach the Surface Waters? _X__Yes ___No

If yes, please list the following:

Volume Reaching Surface Waters: 76,000 Gallons Surface Water Name: Cleghorn Creek

Did the Spill/Bypass result in a Fish Kill? ____Yes ___X_No

Was WWTP compliant with permit requirements? __X__Yes ____No

Were samples taken during event? __X__Yes ___No (NPDES Permit required sampling was being
conducted during the event)

Source of the Upset/Spill/Bypass (Location or Treatment Unit):

Clarifier and contact chamber

Cause or Reason for the Upset/Spill/Bypass:

Heavy rainfall with a total of 6.25 in occurred on the day of the bypass. Of that total, over 5inches occurred
between the hours of 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Cleghorn Creek exceeded it boundary which prevented the
outflow from the plant through the discharge pipe. The wastewater from the clarifier and chlorine contact
chamber overflowed. A total of 4.6 MG was measured by the effluent flow meter with a peak of 22.3 MG.

Describe the Repairs Made or Actions Taken:

none

WWTP Upset , Spill, or Bypass 5-Day Reporting Form
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Spill/Bypass Reporting Form (August 2014)

Action Taken to Contain Spill, Clean Up and Remediate the Site (if applicable):

Action Taken or Proposed to be Taken to Prevent Occurrences:

none

Additional Comments About the Event:

24-Hour Report Made To: Division of Water Resource Emergency Management ____

Contact Name: Mikal Willmer Date: 05-20-2020 Time: 8:30 am

Other Agencies Notified (Health Dept, etc): An announcement/notification was provided to the local news
and social media _______________________________

Person Reporting Event: _Phillip Reynolds_______ Phone Number: [phone]_____

Did DW R Request an Additional Written Report? ___Yes _X__No

If Yes, What Additional Information is Needed:

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

WWTP Upset , Spill, or Bypass 5-Day Reporting Form
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Spill/Bypass Reporting Form (August 2014)

WWTP Upset , Spill, or Bypass 5-Day Reporting Form
Page 2
Spill/Bypass Reporting Form (August 2014)

Town of Rutherfordton

129 N. Main St. Rutherfordton, NC 28139 828-287-3520 www.rutherfordton.net

“Service Forged at the Highest Standard”

Press Release
May 20, 2020
Media Contact: Doug Barrick – Town Manager
[e-mail]

Heavy Rains and Flash Flooding on May 19th causes sewer overflow into Cleghorn Creek

Rutherfordton, N.C. -: The Town of Rutherfordton had a discharge of untreated wastewater on
05/19/2020 of an estimated 76,000 gallons at the Rutherfordton Wastewater Treatment. The partially
untreated wastewater was discharged into Cleghorn Creek. The discharge was a result of massive flash
flooding that caused waters from Cleghorn Creek to backup into the process water piping of the Waste
Water Treatment Plant. This overflow began at 3:00pm and ended around 5:45pm. The Town is
currently working to resolve issues with inflow and infiltration into the sewer collections system and to
address any contributing issues at the wastewater treatment plant itself. The Town further remains
committed to the protection of the natural environment and water quality through our treatment
processes.

The Town of Rutherfordton also had a discharge of untreated wastewater on 05/19/2020 of an
undetermined amount of sewage at a manhole on Recce Street from 2:30pm to 5pm. The untreated
wastewater was discharged into Cleghorn Creek. The discharge was due to the manhole being
underwater.

These overflows occurred as a direct result of the heavy rainfall of over 6 inches and subsequent
flooding in the area.

The Division of Water Resources was notified of the event on 05/20/2020 and is reviewing the matter.
For more information, contact the Town of Rutherfordton [phone].