WQCS00011_NOV-2024-DV-0322_Response to Notice_20240814

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ROCKY MOUNT
WATER RESOURCES
THE CENTER OF IT ALL
August 13, 2024
Brenton Bent
Director of Water Resources
City of Rocky Mount
331 South Franklin Street
Rocky Mount,NC 27804
Vanessa Manuel, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
3800 Barrett Drive,
Raleigh,NC 27609
Subject: Notice of Violation
Tracking No.-NOV 2024-DV-0322 &NOV-2024-DV-0306
Collection System Pen-nit No. WQCS00011
Dear Mr. Manuel,
I received the Notice of Violation from the NCDEQ dated August 1, 2024, as identified by the
subject tracking numbers regarding the sanitary sewer overflow(SSO)events on 7/24/2024,
7/25/2024 and 6/28/2024 at Riverside Drive and 221 Candlewood Road. The city of Rocky
Mount takes these incidents very seriously and is fully committed to taking all necessary steps to
minimize the potential for such overflows within our sewer collection system.
The first event on Riverside Drive on July 24, 2024,began at approximately 3:30 am and ceased
at 1:00 pm on Sunday, July 28, 2024. The SSO, it was estimated, resulted in approximately
42,000 gallons of heavily diluted wastewater reaching the Tar River. After the overflow
subsided,the paved roadway was washed with chlorinated water, vacuumed, and discharged into
the wastewater collection system.
The second event on Riverside Drive began at approximately 5:45 pm on July 25, 2024, and
ceased at approximately 1:00 pm on Sunday, July 28, 2024. 9:45 p.m. This overflow resulted in
approximately 1,746,000 gallons of heavily diluted wastewater reaching the Tar River.
Following the cessation of the incident, the immediate area was washed with system water,
[phone] / 331 S.Franklin St.,PO Box 1180,Rocky Mount,NC 27802-1180 / www.rockymountnc gov

vacuumed, and appropriately discharged into the sewer system. In addition, the saturated soil
was removed, lime was applied to neutralize any remaining contaminants, and a mix of sand and
soil was reapplied before being seeded and capped with wheat straw to prevent erosion and
promote regrowth.
Due to the saturated soil conditions and the roughly 4.32 inches of rain experienced locally,the
sewer collection system was overwhelmed with heavily diluted wastewater. The heavily diluted
nature of the wastewater and the unusually high flows in the receiving water bodies helped to
reduce the potential impact of this event.
To prevent such events in the future,the city has proactively engaged the services of
WithersRavenel Engineering Consultants to conduct a comprehensive study of the sewer
collection system, including a hydraulic sewer model. This initiative demonstrates our
commitment to identifying areas of vulnerability and addressing the source of the problem
directly. The project is expected to be completed in the winter of 2024.
The event at 221 Candlewood Road was caused by root intrusion from a large tree that separated
a joint in the sewer line, resulting in an estimated 3,100 gallons of untreated wastewater being
discharged into Stoney Creek. However, immediate measures were taken to stop the overflow
and contain the spill. Crews were swiftly dispatched to the site, and a straw dam was installed.
Repairs were temporarily made, and the Water Resources Department is actively working on a
plan to replace the compromised pipe.
Please be assured that the city of Rocky Mount is working with great care and perseverance to
reduce the member of sanitary sewer overflows in the collection system. This effort will remain a
top priority. As you can see, we are proactively taking the necessary steps to address the integrity
of our whole collection system, including engaging the services of WithersRavenel Engineering
Consultants for a comprehensive study. We hope the Division of Water Resources will favorably
consider these efforts as you deliberate on further actions regarding these incidents.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me
at 252-972-1299 or [e-mail].
Sincerely,
-69T-
Brenton Bent, Director of Water Resources
[phone] 1331 S.Franklin St.,PO Box 1180,Rocky Mount,NC 27802-1180 / www,rockymountnc.P2