WQCS00025_NOI_NOV2022DV0084_Response_20220513

Water Resources Division
146 N Church Street
PO Box lio6
Asheboro, NC 27204-iio6
May 13, 2022
q
CITY OF *-
AsHEBopo
N O R T H C A R O L I N A
Mr. Lon T. Snider
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
450 Hanes Mill Rd
Suite 300
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
Re: Response to Notice of Violation & Intent to Issue Civil Penalty
Tracking No.: NOV 2022-DV-0084
Dear Mr. Snider:
Tel: [phone] Ext. 258
Fax:[phone]
cDaatyT
Environmental Qul
1. Received #
MAY 16 2022
Winston-Salem
Regional Office
This letter is written in response to the above referenced letter of correspondence from your office
for the sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's) experienced on January 3, 2022. Incident Numbers
202200035, 202200036, and 202200037 all occurred due to inflow and infiltration related to
Winter Storm Frida that significantly impacted the entire east coast. The City of Asheboro Water
Plant measured over 2.9" of rain in during this severe weather event. The storm impacts were much
worse than anticipated with many roads closed due to flooding and downed trees. Eventually
conditions got bad enough the school system had to close because buses were trapped on flooded
routes.
The SSO at LS # 3, 1129 E. Mine Street, (Incident # 202200035) was due to I & I because of the
heavy rainfall. Maintenance staff responded to the alarm and evaluated the site to monitor the
flow. Laboratory sampling was conducted upstream and downstream of the site and no
environmental impact was measured. The City has received funding to relocate and upgrade this
lift station to handle these flows and the design is nearing completion. We hope to be ready to
begin construction early next year.
The SSO at LS # 4, 577 Lexington Road, (Incident # 202200036) was due to I & I because of the
heavy rainfall. Maintenance staff responded to the alarm and evaluated the site to monitor the
flow. Laboratory sampling was conducted upstream and downstream of the site and no
environmental impact was measured. The City did a flow study and smoke testing in this drainage
basin in 2019. No major sources of I & I were identified. All deficiencies identified by the smoke
testing were repaired. Plans are to do more flow testing in this basin when equipment is available.
The SSO at LS # 6, 15 Richland Place, (Incident # 202200037) was due to I & I because of the
heavy rainfall. Maintenance staff responded to the alarm and evaluated the site to monitor the
flow. Laboratory sampling was conducted upstream and downstream of the site and no
environmental impact was measured. A flow study is currently being performed in this drainage
basin. The City is utilizing five area velocity flow meters to determine areas of I & I. Flow data
Home of the NC Zoological Park

,. Response to NOV & Intent to Issue Civil Penalty Tracking No.: NOV 2022-DV-0084
5/13/2022
Page 2 of 2
has revealed outfall lines that need repair rehab. CCTV of these lines hasn't shown any obvious
areas of infiltration so we are narrowing in the metering to determine where repairs are necessary.
The overall performance of the City of Asheboro sanitary sewer collection system is exemplary.
The 2021 System Performance reveals that of the more than 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater
treated at the City of Asheboro W WTP, less than 0.05% was spilled at the plant or in the collection
system. Laboratory personnel sample after every SSO as soon as it is safe to do so. None of the
laboratory results from any SSO on these two dates revealed significant environmental impact.
The City just completed a study of the collection system utilizing an AIA grant from NCDEQ
DWI. The final report identified several areas to address capacity issues due to wet weather flow.
Staff plans to update the Water Resources CIP in the coming months to incorporate the findings
of the final report.
The City of Asheboro is committed to protecting the environment and improving wastewater
collection service to customers. We are working from many angles to address issues that will
improve the operation of our collection system. Staff is continuing flow monitoring and will be
aggressive in locating potential I & I sources and making repairs. The Capital Improvement Plan
provides future resources for studies, repairs and replacements to the wastewater collection and
treatment systems.
Please take these efforts into consideration as you deliberate these matters. The City requests
NCDEQ refrain from taking enforcement action as a result of these incidents. The City of
Asheboro takes pride in being good stewards of the environment and is taking measures to ensure
water quality in our community. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. If you have any
questions, please contact me at [phone] ext. 258.
Sincerely,
,ka
Michael D. Rhoney, P.E.
Water Resources Director
ASHEBOI:kO
WATER RESOURCES