WQCS00162_NOV-2023-DV-0324_20230906

//X�X-J Carolina Water Service
of North Carolina'
September 01, 2023
Mr. Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section FECWD/NCDENR/DWR
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
943 Washington Square Mall SEP — 6 2023
Washington, NC 27889
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Subject: Tracking Number NOV-2023-DV-0324 Reg)cnamPer flons SectionWashirr ton
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Dear Mr. Tankard,
On behalf of Carolina Water Service, Inc. of NC (CWSNC), please accept this letter in response to the
Fairfield Harbour Notice of Violation and Intent to Issue Civil Penalty, Tracking Number NOV-2023-DV-
0324.
On Friday, April 21, 2023, a resident of the Fairfield Harbour community accidentally collided with a power
pole owned and operated by Tideland EMC while driving their automobile. As a result, Fairfield Harbour
Lift Station #17, which is owned by Carolina Water Service, Inc. of NC, experienced a loss of utility power.
Upon being notified, Tideland EMC promptly responded and restored utility power to Lift Station #17.
However, during the restoration process, a power surge occurred, damaging the variable frequency drive
for pump #1 and pump #2 in the lift station. This left the lift station inoperable.
Responding swiftly, the operations staff at CWSNC took immediate action and deployed a mobile bypass
pump at the lift station to ensure its continued operation. The bypass pump hoses were securely
connected using Bauer style couplings, and industrial strength duct tape was applied to the locking levers
located on the Bauer couplings to prevent loosening, following the standard practice.
On Sunday, April 23, 2023, a community resident contacted CWSNC after hours to report a sewer spillage
issue from the hose connected to the bypass pump at Lift Station #17. Without delay, the CWSNC
operations team promptly investigated the matter and discovered that one of the locking levers on the
Bauer style connection had broken loose, resulting in the sewage spill when the bypass pump was
activated. The industrial strength duct tape wrapped around the locking lever had torn.
5821 FairviewRoad • Charlotte, North Carolina 28209 • [phone]

To manage the situation effectively, CWSNC mobilized an emergency mitigation contractor to assist with
the cleanup of the sewer spill. There were no known fish kills or other known impacts to the tributary.
The overflow area was thoroughly cleaned up. White hydrated lime was applied to the affected area to
raise the pH and kill any pathogenic organisms. There was no known impact to public health. The failed
Bauer style connection was replaced with a flange -to -flange application. Additionally, the lift station's
variable frequency drives were replaced with magnetic motor starters, and it is currently operating
normally.
Carolina Water Service, Inc. of NC respectfully appreciates the opportunity to respond with additional
information for consideration of any further enforcement decisions concerning this matter. We hope the
information provided within this letter demonstrates the continued efforts to maintain compliance at the
facility and is justification for no assessment of civil penalties. If you have any questions or if I can provide
any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at
312-965-3728, or by email at [e-mail]_
Sincerely,
Anthony Futrell
Area Manager
5821 FairviewRoad 9 Charlotte, North Carolina 28209 • [phone]