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CA
► A
-LIVE INSPIRED" -
March 4, 2024
Mr. Michael Hall, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
1628 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1628
CERTIFIED MAIL
Dear Mr. Hall:
On March 4, 2024, the Town of Cary Utilities Department received a Notice of Violation
(NOV) letter dated February 13, 2024, from the North Carolina Department of Environmental
Quality, Division of Water Resources — Raleigh Regional Office for two sanitary sewer
overflows (SSO) that occurred on January 14 and January 24, 2024. The letter identifies both
January 14 and January 24 SSO events as an NOV, and requests written response from Cary
to provide additional information within 15 business days. Cary's written submittal will be
considered by NCDEQ and used to determine if a civil penalty will be assessed.
Incident # Start
Date
Duration
(min)
1
202400279 i1/14/2024 179
202400345 11 /24/2024 1 140
Location
306 Highwood
Pines Place, Cary,
27519
Parkscene Ln,
Adjacent to 2700
NC 55 Highway,
Carv. 27519
Cause
Total
Volume
...(GO —
Debris
4,475
in line,
Grease
Debris
5,180
in line.
Total Volume DWR
Surface Water Action
(Gal)
500 Notice of
Violation
0 Notice of
Violation
Cary takes pride in the operation and management of our 1,000 miles of wastewater
collection system. We are an award winning and progressive wastewater utilitythat has very
few reportable or large volume overflows. We place great emphasis on responding quickly
to sewer emergencies to prevent and minimize any spills that impact our citizens, the
community, and the natural environment. We appreciate the opportunity to provide
supplemental information about the recent sewer overflows, our mitigation and cleanup
efforts, and additional justification for why further enforcement or civil penalty are not
warranted for Cary.
919.469.4000 1 carync.gov
PO Box 8005 Cary, NC 27512

INCIDENT #2 240 7 -306 in s PL ce.
Sewer Overflow Cause - On January 14, 2024, at 6:09PM, Cary staff received a call from
Cary communications staff stating a resident called about a manhole overflowing behind
their property. Cary staff arrived on scene and observed manhole SP72515038 overflowing.
Staff promptly mobilized equipment to clear the blockage by 9:08PM on January 14, 2024.
The cause of the sewer spillwas identified as grease and debris (gravel/sediment) in the line.
Sewer Spill Cleanup - After clearing the blockage and stopping the spill, Cary staff
immediately began their sewer spill cleanup operations. While most of the sewer spilled
from the manhole onto adjacent ground, an estimated 500 gallons reached an isolated
portion of an unnamed tributary to Panther Creek. Cary staff dug holes throughout the
affected area to pump the remaining sewer back into the collections system. Crews then
raked the area and placed debris in trash bags and hauled it away. Lime was applied to the
affected area.
Corrective Actions -After clearing the blockage, sewer lines in the surrounding area were
hydraulically cleaned, video inspected, and acoustic tested to ensure there were no
additional accumulations or partial blockages. Crews cleaned and video inspected 682-ft
of gravity main downstream of the spill site. Additionally, Cary staff acoustic tested 11,042-
ft upstream of the blockage.
INCIDENT # 202400345-Parkscene Ln, ad jacent to 2700 NC 55 Highway_
Sewer Overflow Cause - On January 24, 2024, at 3:36PM, Cary's after hours staff received
a report that water was flowing out of a manhole. Upon arrival, crews observed manhole
SP73420091 overflowing and notified our on -call personnel and the BUORC. Staff mobilized
equipment and cleared the blockage on January 24, 2024, by 5:50PM. The spill was caused
by debris (gravel/sediment). Following a video inspection, the pipe was found to have a hole
in it.
Sewer Spill Cleanup - After clearing the blockage, Cary staff immediately began cleaning
up the sewer spill. Based on conductivity readings, and sewer only reaching a small portion
of the detention pond, pumps were set up on the pond's edge to pump the sewer back into
the wastewater collection system. Impacted surfaces areas were also flushed and pumped
back into the system.
Corrective Actions - After clearing the blockage, the sewer lines in the area were
hydraulically cleaned, video inspected, and acoustic tested to ensure there were no
additional accumulation or partial line blockages. Crews cleaned 18,910-ft, video inspected
2,093-ft and acoustic tested 18,910-ft up and downstream of the spill site. We are
monitoring the area closely where the SSO occurred to ensure we do not have another
blockage while we are in talks with a consulting firm on the best action for a permanent
repair given the sensitive location next to a detention pond.
w RY 2
-LIVE INSPIRED"-

We appreciate the opportunity to provide supplemental information on both unfortunate
sewer spills. We also appreciate NC DEQ's consideration in evaluating these sewer spills,
the cause, and Cary's exceptional record and response to remediate and help ensure that a
SSO reoccurrence does not happen at these locations. If we can answer any questions or
provide any additional information, please feelfree to contact Mr. Chad Lemke, Wastewater
Collection System Operator and ORC at [phone].
Sincerely, 46
J e Revels, P.E.
Utilities Director
Cc: Chad Lemke, Wastewater Collection System Operator
Attachments:
■ NCDEQ Notice of Violation to issue Civil Penalty— NOV-2024-DV-0088
• Collection System Sanitary Sewer Overflow 5-Day Report — Incident #
202400279
■ Collection System Sanitary Sewer Overflow 5-Day Report — Incident #
202400345
C� :ICY
LIVE INSPIRED'

DocuSign Envelope ID: E6AB573C-37B6-4778-8346-FFEEEFFDlFEC
ROY COOPER
Gu error
ELIZABETH S, BISER
secrefary
RICHARD E, ROGERS, JR.
Direr. or
Certified Mail # 7016 3560 0000 4428 6192
Return Receipt Requested
Jamie Revels, Director of Utilities
Town of Cary
400 James Jackson Ave
Cary, NC 27513
-Al • 1r„
•y �r;
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental
Quality
February 13, 2024
SUBJECT, NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2024-DV-0088
Sanitary Sewer Overflows - January 2024
Collection System Permit No. WQCS00013
Cary Collection System
Wake County
Dear Permittee:
I'e�C/G,�� I�I�retcIU�f,�
�G,C v�Ig✓C�1 �a�
The self -reported Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) 57Day Report submitted by Town of Cary indicates violations of
permit conditions stipulated in the subject permit and North Carolina G.S. 143-215.1. Violations include failing to
effectively manage, maintain, and operate the subject collection system so that there is no SSO to the land or
surface waters and making an outlet to waters of the State for purposes of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1), for which a
permit is required.
Specific incident(s) cited in the subject report include the following:
Incident Start Duration
Number Date (Mina) Location Cause
202400279 1/14/2024 179 306 HIGHWOOD
PINES PLACE, CARY,
27519
202400345 1/24/2024 140 Parkscene Ln.,
adjacent to 2700 NC
55 Highway, Cary,
27519
Debris in line, Grease
Debris in line
Total Vol
Total
Surface
Vol
Water
(Gals)
(Gals) DWR Action
4,475
500 Notice of Violation
5,180
0 Notice of Violation
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DocuSign Envelope ID: E6AB573C-37B6-4778-8346-FFEEEFFD1 FEC
Remedial actions, if not already implemented, should be taken to correct the above noncompliance. Please submit
a written response to this Notice of Violation. Your response is to be received by the regional office within 15
business days following receipt of this violation. Please include any additional documentation about this incident(s)
in the response. The submittal will be considered in determining whether the Division will assess a civil penalty for
the cited violations.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Kevin Fowler with the Water Quality Section in the
Raleigh Regional Office at 919-791-4200 or via email at [e-mail].
Cc: Laseriiche
Sincerely,
�Vac �u5lgnld by:
� -ssa. f. !I�aln ut,l a Fbr
HZ91 -45AW 744F
Michael Hall, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
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State of North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
,i` Division of Water Resources
L_ Vu T_'
Collection System Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reporting Form
Division of Water Resources Form CS-SSO
PART I:
This form shall be submitted to the appropriate DWQ Regional Office within five business days of the first knowledge of the
sanitary sewer overflow (SSO).
Permit Number: WQCS00013 (WQCS# if active, otherwise use WQCSD#)
Facility: Cary Collection System Incident #: 202400279
Owner: Town of Cary
City: Cary County Wake Region. Raleigh
Source of SSO (check applicable): 0 Sanitary Sewer ❑ Pump Station / Lift Station
SPECIFIC location of the SSO (be consistent in description from past reports or documentation - i.e. Pump Station 6,
Manhole at Westall & Bragg Street, etc): 306 HIGHWOOD PINES PLACE. CARY, 27519
Manhole #: SP72515038
Latitude (Decimal Degrees). Longitude (Decimal Degrees):
Incident Started Dt: 01/14/2024 Time: 6:09 pm Incident End Dt: 01/14/2024 Time: 09:08 pm
(mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm AM/PM) (mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm AM/PM)
Estimated Volume of the SSO: 4.475 gallons Estimated Duration (Round to nearest hour): 2:59 hours
Describe how the volume was determined. NCDEQ provided sewer spill estimation guide
Weather conditions during the SSO event: Clear
Did SSO reach surface waters? [1 Yes ❑ No ❑ Unknown Volume reaching surface waters (gals): 500
Surface water name: Panther Creek
Did the SSO result in a fish kill? ❑ Yes QNo ❑ Unknown If Yes, what is the estimated number of fish killed? 0
SPECIFIC cause(s) of the SSO:
0 Grease 0 Debris in line
24 hour verbal notification (name of person contacted ): George Bernard
❑ DWR Q Emergency Mgmt Date (mm-dd-yyy): 01/15/2024 Time (hh:mm AM/PM): 01:05:00 pm
If an SSO is ongoing, please notify the appropriate Regional Office on a daily basis until SSO can be stopped.
Per G.S. 143-215.1 C(b), the responsible party of a discharge of 1,000 or more of untreated wastewater to surface waters
shall issue a press release within 24-hours of first knowledge to all print and electronic news media providing general
coverage in the county where the discharge occurred. When 15,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater enters surface
waters, a public notice shall be published within 10 days and proof of publication shall be provided to the Division within 30
days. Refer to the reference statute for further detail.
The Director Division of Water Resources may take enforcement action for SSOs that are required to be reported to
Division unless it is demonstrated that:
1) the discharge was cause by sever natural conditions and there were no feasible alternative to the discharge; or
2) the discharge was exceptional, unintentional, temporary and caused by factors beyond the reasonable control of the
Permittee and/or owner, and the discharge could not have been prevented by the exercise of reasonable control.
Part II must be completed to provide a justification claim for either of the above situations. This information will be the basis
WHETHER OR NOT PART 111 IS COMPLETED, A SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED AT THE END OF THIS FORM
CS-SSO Form Page: 1

PART II:
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FOR EACH RELATED CAUSE CHECKED IN PART I OF THIS FORM AND
INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION AS REQUIRED OR DESIRED
COMPLETE ONLY THOSE SECTONS PERTAINING TO THE CAUSE OF THE SSO AS CHECKED IN PART I
(In the check boxes below, NA = Not Applicable and NE = Not Evaluated)
A HARDCOPY OF THIS FORM SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE DWR REGIONAL OFFICE UNLESS IS
Grease
When was the last time this specific line (or wet well) was cleaned?
Never
Do you have an enforceable grease ordinance that requires new or retrofit of grease 0 Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE
traps/interceptors?
Have there been recent inspections and/or enforcement actions taken on nearby Yes ❑ No 0 NA ❑ NE
restaurants or other nonresidential grease contributors?
Explain.
Residential neighborhood. No food_ establishments in the area.
Have there been other SSOs or blockages in this area that were also caused by Yes 0 No NA NE
grease?
When?
If yes, describe them:
Have cleaning and inspections ever been increased at this location?
Explain.
Have educational materials about grease been distributed in the past?
When?
and to whom?
Explain?
If the SSO occurred at a pump station, when was the wet well and pumps last
checked for grease accumulation?
Were the floats clean?
Yes 0 No NA NE
Yes 0 No El NA NE
Yes No 0 NA NE
CS-SSO Form Page: 2

Comments:
Debris in line
What type of debris has been found in the line?
Gravel
Suspected cause or source of debris.
Unknown.
Are manholes in the area secure and intact?
0 Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE
When was the area last checked/cleaned?
Manhole Inspected 02/2212023
Have cleaning and inspections ever been increased at this location due to previous Yes RI No ❑ NA ❑ NE
problems with debris?
Explain
Are appropriate educational materials being developed and distributed to prevent futt Yes [Z No ❑ NA ❑ NE
similar occurrences?
Comments:
System Visitation
ORC
0 Yes
Backup ❑ Yes
Name:
Chad Lemke
Cert#
1000563
Date visited:
01 /14/2024
Time visited:
08:30PM
How was the SSO remediated (i.e. Stopped and cleaned up)?
The sewer line was jetted and hydraulically cleaned to remove the grease and debris to stop the spill. Staff took
conductivity readings upstream and downstream of the entry flint and determined the s ili was isolated in a small area a
the creek at the entry point. Staff dug holes and used a 2" trash purnp around the affected area to pump the sewer back
into the system. Crews raked the affected area and placed debris in trash ba s and hauled away. Applied lime on the
affected area.
CS-SSO Form Page: 3

As a representative for the responsible party, I certify that the information contained in this report is true and accurate to the
best of my knowledge.
Person submitting claim:
Signature:
Chad Lemke
Telephone Number: 311 ^7 )
Date: 01 /18/24 01:36 pm
Title: C#llc3KoA5 5ys4em OVC
Any addition information desired to be submitted should be sent to the appropriate Division Regional Office within five days of t
knowledge of the SSO with reference to the incident number (the incident number is only generated when electronic entry of th
form is completed, if used).
CS-SSO Form Page: 4

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DWR Division of Water Resources
Collection System Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reporting Form
Division of Water Resources Form CS-SSO
PART I:
This form shall be submitted to the appropriate DWQ Regional Office within five business days of the first knowledge of the
sanitary sewer overflow (SSO).
Permit Number: WQCS00013 (WQCS# if active, otherwise use WQCSD#)
Facility: Caa Collection System Incident #: 202400345
Owner: Town of Cary
City: Cary County: Wake Region. Raleigh
Source of SSO (check applicable): 0 Sanitary Sewer ❑ Pump Station / Lift Station
SPECIFIC location of the SSO (be consistent in description from past reports or documentation - i.e. Pump Station 6,
Manhole at Westall & Bragg Street, etc): Parkscene Ln., adjacent to 2700 NC 55 Highway. Cary, 27519
Manhole #: SP73420091
Latitude (Decimal Degrees): 35.78434 Longitude (Decimal Degrees):-78.86942
Incident Started Dt: 01/24/2024 Time: 3:30 pm Incident End Dt: 01/24/2024 Time: 05:50 pm
(mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm AM/PM) (mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm AM/PM)
Estimated Volume of the SSO: 5.180 gallons Estimated Duration (Round to nearest hour). 2:20 hours
Describe how the volume was determined: NCDEQ provided sewer spill estimation guide
Weather conditions during the SSO event: Cloudy misty rain
Did SSO reach surface waters? ❑ Yes [l No ❑ Unknown Volume reaching surface waters (gals): 0
Surface water name:
Did the SSO result in a fish kill? ❑ Yes 0 No ❑ Unknown If Yes, what is the estimated number of fish killed? 0
SPECIFIC cause(s) of the SSO:
0 Debris in line
24 hour verbal notification (name of person contacted ): Dorothy M Robson
0 DWR ❑ Emergency Mgmt Date (mm-dd-yyy). 01/25/2024 Time (hh:mm AM/PM): 10:49:00 am
If an SSO is ongoing, please notify the appropriate Regional Office on a daily basis until SSO can be stopped.
Per G.S. 143-215.1C(b), the responsible party of a discharge of 1,000 or more of untreated wastewater to surface waters
shall issue a press release within 24-hours of first knowledge to all print and electronic news media providing general
coverage in the county where the discharge occurred. When 15,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater enters surface
waters, a public notice shall be published within 10 days and proof of publication shall be provided to the Division within 30
days. Refer to the reference statute for further detail.
The Director Division of Water Resources may take enforcement action for SSOs that are re uired to be reported to
Division unless it is demonstrated that:
1) the discharge was cause by sever natural conditions and there were no feasible alternative to the discharge; or
2) the discharge was exceptional, unintentional, temporary and caused by factors beyond the reasonable control of the
Permittee and/or owner, and the discharge could not have been prevented by the exercise of reasonable control.
Part II must be completed to provide a justification claim for either of the above situations. This information will be the basis
WHETHER OR NOT PART III IS COMPLETED A SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED AT THE END OF THIS FORM
CS-SSO Form Page: 1

PART II:
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FOR EACH RELATED CAUSE CHECKED IN PART I OF THIS FORM AND
INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION AS REQUIRED OR DESIRED
COMPLETE ONLY THOSE SECTONS PERTAINING TO THE CAUSE OF THE SSO AS CHECKED IN PART I
(In the check boxes below, NA = Not Applicable and NE = Not Evaluated)
A HARDCOPY OF THIS FORM SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE DWR REGIONAL OFFICE UNLESS IS
Debris in line
What type of debris has been found in the line?
Sediment/gravel
Suspected cause or source of debris.
Unknown
Are manholes in the area secure and intact?
When was the area last checked/cleaned?
Area last inspected 05/30/2023
[ZYes ❑No ❑NA ❑NE
Have cleaning and inspections ever been increased at this location due to previous ❑ Yes 0 No ❑ NA ❑ NE
problems with debris?
Explain
Are appropriate educational materials being developed and distributed to prevent futi ❑ Yes ❑ No 0 NA ❑ NE
similar occurrences?
Comments:
Due to the cause of the spill (sedimentlgravel), no additional educational materials are being distributed at this time.
System Visitation
ORC ❑ Yes
Backup W Yes
Name:
Tommy Floyd
Cert#
1010540
Date visited:
01 /24/2024
Time visited:
04:53 PM
CS-SSO Form Page: 2

How was the SSO remediated (i.e. Stopped and cleaned up)?
Upon discoveu of the s itl Ca Collections staff were dispatched to the scene. The sewer line was tetted and h drauh
cleaned to remove sediment) ravel and sto the spill. Based on conductivity readings and sewer only reaching a small
section of the detention pond, pumps were used to move wastewater from the pond edge back into the sewers stem.
Impacted surfaces were flushed and iml2acted natural areas were cleaned. Conductivity readings were taken and matche
unaffected areas of the pond.
As a representative for the responsible party, I certify that the information contained in this report is true and accurate to the
best of my knowledge.
Person submitting claim:
Signature:
Telephone Number:
Robert S Garner
0i1q-413-12g(C>
Date: 01/26/24 08:15 am
Title: ®()Rf- 0i)5 S(2zG(Als5
f
Any addition information desired to be submitted should be sent to the appropriate Division Regional Office within five days of i
knowledge of the SSO with reference to the incident number (the incident number is only generated when electronic entry of th
form is completed, if used).
CS-SSO Form Page: 3