WQCSD0181_NOV-2023-DV-0067_Response Rvcd_20230306

AQUA.
- ^ ,ESSEM181 Vtiti[ies Co$npany
Marct. 2U23
Mr. Scott Vinson
Regional Supervisor
Public Wastewater Supply Section
Raleigh Regional Office, NCDEQ
1628 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1628
Re: Notice of Violation and Intent to Issue Civil Penalty
Sanitary Sewer Overflows — January 2023
Chatham WRF Collection System, Chatham County
Permit No. WQCSD0181
NOV-2023-DV-0067
Dear Mr. Vinson:
Aqua North Carolina, Inc. (Aqua) offers the following response to the abov(
and Intent to Assess Civil Penalty, which was issued for Sanitary Sewer
(Break), occurred on January 16' 2023.
Aaua's Response:
NC Dept of Environmental Quality
MAR 6 2023
Raleigh Regional Office
I Notice of Violation
caused Pipe Failure
On Janu uy 16's, 2023, Aqua personnel respondad to a ruptureth4" sewer force main located in the rear
easement of the Carolina Meadows subdivision.'fhe release discharged to the surrounding wooded arc.-
and then into an unnamed tributary. The sewer lift station that feeds this sewe force main was shutdow)
to stop the discharge while crews worked to make necessary repairs: Pulveri ed lime was spread in the
affected area. Remedial activities included �evcral temporary sediment darr. swith the addition of h-,
bales and mesh fencing to slow the flow of water into the stream. The affected area of the unnan,ou
tributary was then flushed and filtered. The collected waste from this proce was then transported off
site for disposal. Aqua used outside contractors to assist with the miti ation and environmental
assessment. Their report is attached. Per their report, there was no environmental impact. Close
inspection of the failed 4" sewer force main pipe revealed a vertical crack on the top of the pipe itself
with a noticeable depression in the pipe. It seems that a large rock or somet1iing similar was sitting on
top of the main and eventually caused the rupture. This SSO was not caused by any negligence by Aqua
or its contractors, but instead was caused by the original contractors for the developer who used
improper methods for pipe installation. As such, Aqua requests that all considerations for penalty
assessment be removed.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at
Sincerely,
9)653-6982.

Robert Krueger
Area Manager
cc: Joseph Pearce
Amanda Berger
Shannon Becker