NC0086011_Annual Performance_20240903

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County
IJtiIities
Water•Wastewater•Solid Waste
Administration,P.O.Box 2511,Winston-Salem, NC 27102
336-727-8000• wsfcutilities.org
RECEIVED
August 29, 2024
SEP 0 3 2024
Andrew Girgis
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES
PERCS Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Re: FY 2023-2024 System Performance Report
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities
Dear Mr. Girgis,
Enclosed you will find our annual performance report for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities
wastewater collection and treatment system as mandated by the North Carolina Clean Water Act of
1999.This report covers the period from July 1, 2023,to June 30, 2024.
Copies of this report can be obtained by our customers at the front desk of Stuart Municipal Building,
100 E. First St., at the Forsyth County Central Library, by calling CityLink 336-727-8000, and online at
cityofws.org/wwreports. We will publish a Notice of Availability in the Sept.4, 2024, Winston-Salem
Journal. A copy of that legal ad is enclosed and the Affidavit of Publication will be emailed upon receipt.
Please call me at 336-747-7315 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Courtney L. Driver, P.E.
Utilities Director
Cc: Michael Stover, P.E., Deputy Director-Operations
Bill Brewer, Deputy Director-Water&Wastewater Treatment
Keith Jones, Wastewater Treatment Superintendent
Kenny Atkins, Utilities Field Operations Manager
Antonio Martinez, Assistant Field Operations Manager-Wastewater System ORC
File
YOUR UNK TO CITY SERVICES
COM
CALL 311[336-727-8000]
TEXT:855-481-LINK[5465]
[e-mail]

the public is necessary to completely solve this problem. Over the past year, WSFU Utilities personnel have conducted • November-December 2023: Water-sewer Did you know?bill message: Grease and so-called flushable wipes cause
outreach following sewer backups to educate customers in those areas on the proper disposal of cooking grease,fats costly raw sewage backups in your home.Avoid the mess and expense: CAN the GREASE and NO WIPES in PIPES. Only
and other oils. In addition, maintenance personnel have been cleaning the publicly maintained portions of sewer flush the four Ps:Pee, Poop, Puke and(toilet)Paper! Visit cityofws.org/grease and cityofws.org/nowipes for details.
connections to keep sewer main lines clean and free of grease, as well as tree roots and debris.
• Nov.9, 2023: Can the Grease was featured at a turkey fry ,: ,y, C ._• ' , '
During FY24, by spending demonstration by the Winston-Salem Fire Department with „"r `-, ' -$ .t
WSFC Utilities continued efforts to reduce SSOs s endin more than $6.6 million on the rehabilitation of `
coverage from all television news outlets in the market. �,��eia.. a.
31,545 feet of gravity sewer mains, 90 manholes, and 175 service laterals. The rehabilitated sewer mains primarily `. .
ranged in size from 6" to 15".The mains were rehabilitated by means of pipe bursting, cured-in-place lining of pipes, • Nov. 7, 2023, and December 19, 2023:TWO holiday-cooking E� a it
total replacement, or a combination of these methods.The enhanced condition of rehabilitated sewer mains and Can the Grease and No Wipes in Pipes news releases,social # ` �- a
manholes not only contributed to the reduction of SSOs, but also aided in the reduction of inflow and infiltration (I&I) by p p
media and web NEWS. Received coverage in Ask SAM (WS .4 ea. `
decreasing and/or eliminating access points for storm water runoff and groundwater to enter the wastewater collection Journal) and interviews on ABC45 and WXII. `-
system.These I&I trouble spots were further identified by 34 miles of smoke testing. In addition, WSFC Utilities '
performed CCTV inspection of 321,024 linear feet of sewer mains. Staff and contractors also improved access to the • March 14, 2024: Booth at Real World Forsyth high school - ' -_
collection system through inspection and mowing/clearing of approximately 71 miles of easements. event at Salem College with grease/wipes info and literature.
;., • March 2024: Forsyth Creek Week sponsorship, water plant tour,State of Our Water panel discussion (FOG,wipes,
41/ - --,„ ` nutrient management), and Jamboree events promoted FOG/wipes campaigns and spin-to-win prizes.
`F Throw them in the trash instead \ .
Y MI L'' •April-June 2024: Colorful Can the Grease two-sided English/Spanish bill insert included in water-sewer bill.
ill
114) :
e. ... ti •Apil 17, 2024 & May 23, 2024: Proper disposal of •
4 - T ;- + � - 7-7,-. - - • wsfcutilities.org
r �,�;,;t,e,•�- -F- --�— cooking oil (at 3RC EnviroStation) in Ask SAM.
.in -noteniViLt.
llitid
-. -- I •Aril 20, 2024: Our high-traffic corner booth at the • „ -- �` «.
Earth Day Fair provided nonstop engagement for ---,. ,„,i °.�.. ""
Customer involvement continues to play an important role in the reduction of SSOs. Our Can the Grease and No Wipes hi”,,te.cs - `� .�``�' ..
approx. 9,000 attendees with the debut of our eye- �'. ' , '4
t
in Pipes campaigns educate the public on the hazards of dumping fats, oils or grease (FOG) in drains and flushing wipes r _ - - +y
popping Can the Grease and No Wipes in Pipes
and other non-biodegradable products down the toilet. No Wipes in Pipes helps customers of all ages realize the _.4-.. t .1 I p
wrapped van plus enthusiastic staff sharing FOG/wipes U{ ,.r
"bottom" line is you should only flush the Four Ps:Pee, Poop, Puke & (toilet) Paper. See more at cityofws.orR/nowipes !r ,_ :_ _ r
campaign literature, activity sheets and spin-to-win ' i..,. '` ...` ei' "f- _ r ,
and cityofws.org/grease. prizes. ; £;
Community Outreach & Education ••April 24, 2024: FOG &wipes info and promo items shared at RJ Reynolds "Environmental,Social & Governance" staff
event.
• May3 2024: Wastewaterplant supervisor explainedplant process&
I - ___ j � � � p P
•July 12 & 16, 2023: Wake Forest University's + ,, r �� ..
- . •4,'4 ' ��� �_ z •
PIO shared FOG/wipes info and activity sheets for Career Day at Smith Farm
Bioscience Institute summer immersion • :►!' ' w di
f; 1 �`� Elementary.
program toured Elledge WWTP with 60 high , �_ ' t
school students from across the country. r � '
+ V- ` �' — ( �: Our English-Spanish Plumber Responsibilities
i 5
- �' r sheet,Good Neighbor Policy brochure, and .,
•Sept. 9, 2023: FIESTA sponsorship booth I 14 �` t _ webpages at cityofws.org/gnp are an ongoing
promoted FOG/wipes campaigns, `',
+ effort to educate the public about the benefits of , .
English/Spanish coloring books and spin-to-win sr . .„ 'i / f 1
a backwater valve device.
prizes like Can the Grease branded spatulas, �, ) _
can lids, magnet clips, potholders,towels, etc. Lastly, staff continued to identify and plan for projects to reduce SSOs, as well as infiltration -
•
and inflow into the wastewater collection system. In addition to the benefits of reducing t
•Sept. 14& 15, 2023: Industrial customers toured Elledge WWTP. SSO volume and the reduction of water getting into the system,these projects have the \
•Sept. 21, 2023: City of Winston-Salem University presentation included our FOG and wipes information, plus outdoor added benefit of decreasing the amount of wastewater treated,thereby reducing overallr
demos of the CCTV system and jet-vac truck. operating costs. `-=' ,�
•Oct. 2, 2023: Booth at Carolina Classic Fair with literature,wipes & FOG info and prize wheel. To report a wastewater spill, please contact the CityLink 24-hour customer service line: 336-727-8000. For questions µ
Y
p p
regarding our programs or this report, contact Gale Ketteler, Utilities Public Information Officer at 336-747-7414 or
•Oct. 21 2023: International Village sponsorship booth promoted FOG/wipes campaigns and spin-to-win prize
s.
[e-mail] report is available at the front desk of Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First St., the Forsyth
County Central Library, by request at CityLink, and at cityofws.org/wwreports.
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1

Performance Summary of Wastewater Collection System—FY24
Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) There were two sanitary sewer overflows at the wastewater treatment plants in FY24. On Jan. 24, a pipe failure caused
27,000 gallons of non-potable water(NPW)to spill on the ground near Archie Elledge WWTP. Staff quickly pumped the
SSO w/ SSO w/ NPW back into the vault,fixed the line and only 5,400 gallons reached Salem Creek. On Jan. 28, heavy flooding from a
No. of Notice of rain event caused a valve to fail at MuddyCreek WWTP and 13,360gallons spilled into South MuddyCreek. Within five
Fiscal Year >1,000 gal in >15,000 gal in SSO Volume (gal) p
SSOs Violations Surface waters Surface waters minutes, staff decreased plant flow, resolved the issue and reopened the valve.
Total 63 17 19 6 315,968
A summary for the WSFC Utilities Mercury Minimization Plan can be viewed at cityofws.org/2723/Dental-Amalgam-
Discharges.
The remainder of this document includes details about
SSO occurrence attributable to: No. of SSOs Percentage by Cause SSO Gallons Percentage by Volume } r" 'x; I. `�
�'' system discharges and overflows from our wastewater
► \
Grease 9 14% 21,665 6% collection system and preventative maintenance
Roots 14 23% 23,830 7% _ r ..� programs established to prevent potential problems.
Debris 11 17% 42,955 13% ` A, f w- .+:40 WSFC Utilities'goal is to have zero sanitary sewer
0 0% , �" J overflows (SSO)from the wastewater collection
Inflow& Infiltration 0 0% A " $ system. However, duringthe last fiscal year, 63 events
Vandalism 4 6% 30,280 9% "' a,. ' 1. z q o
totaling 0.0025%of the wastewater collected, resulted
Pipe Failure 8 12% 21,545 6% 1 / ; ' '' • A373 in spills or overflows from the collection system.Tables
y
Lift Station Equipment Failure 0 0% 0 0% '" in this report provide a summary of collection system
Severe Natural Causes 6 9% 186,360 58% ; -- overflows reported in FY24.
Other 11 19% 13,413 4%
Offi;f(ol s,. , — = Since the passage of the North Carolina Clean Water
Bypass Pump Failure 0 0% 0 0% ,;, y ,� Act in 1999 the total annual SSOs have been tracked
ANNUAL TOTAL 63 100% 315,968 100% against the baseline of fiscal year 1998-99. Diligent
preventative maintenance continues to reduce SSOs since the baseline year. In fact, FY24 had a significantly lower
number of SSOs (63) since reporting began in 1999 (189). Our success reducing SSOs incorporates Geographic
Information Systems (GIS)with our computer maintenance management system, Cityworks.Together, these two
Details of Wastewater Collection System—FY24 systems display historical work-order information that directs our crews to areas with recurring issues. Management
uses this same data on capital projects designed to alleviate the causes of repeat SSOs.
Month/Year Probable Cause of Total SSO SSO Volume in Location of SSO
SSO Volume (gal) Surface Waters In FY24, WSFC Utilities completed Year 8 of the Collection System Improvement Program, which helps prioritize and
7/7/2023 Pipe failure _ 75 75 1865 Runnymede Rd schedule preventative maintenance measures based on inspections conducted in the field. Inspections range from
7/13/2023 Other 400 400 5066 Overdale Rd routine cleaning to closed-circuit television (CCTV), and are tracked in Cityworks.To collect more uniform data and
7/17/2023 Debris 200 200 _ 1101 West First St. increase efficiency, both of our CCTV camera systems operate on WinCan, which integrates with Cityworks.All the
7/21/2023 Roots 30 30 695 Amanda Place information collected from the field is seamlessly entered into our preventative-maintenance scheduling tool,
_
7/24/20023 Other 583 583 2195 South Main St. FreeFlowH20.This streamlines the decision-making process for cleaning, rehabilitation and/or replacement of our
7/26/2023 Grease 1,250 625 326 Oak Ridge Dr. collection system infrastructure.These systems allow our field personnel to identify and submit information directly to a
8/14/2023 Debris 100 20 158 McGreggor Rd supervisor with a few keystrokes.This information also helps CityLink,our customer service call center, convey issues to
8/15/2023 Debris 20 20 340 North Main St•
the customer in a timely manner.
8/16/2023 Debris 780 394 4250 N. Patterson Ave. Major causes of preventable SSOs in FY24 were attributed to grease deposits, debris accumulation (including wipes) and
8/24/2023 Debris 200 0 5350 University Pkwy root intrusion. Because of this, funding has been approved for FY25 for more preventative cleaning of the collection
9/8/2023 Pipe Failure 20 0 501 South Hawthorne Rd system. Proactive cleaning has reduced SSOs by preemptively targeting areas prone to the three major triggers. In FY24,
9/25/2023 Other 25 25 600 South Cherry St. WSFC Utilities cleaned more than 480 miles.That's more than a quarter of the 1,825-mile gravity wastewater collection
10/10/2023 Grease 600 300 935 Hanes Mall Blvd system. In-house personnel cleaned nearly 120 miles of publicly owned/maintained sewer lines, and contracted crews
1 10/11/2023 Roots 20 0 3729 Crosland Rd cleaned 360 miles at a cost of$2,121,825. Of those miles, nearly 80%were proactively cleaned, as opposed to reactive.
10/12/2023 Debris 9,125 8,212 3801 N. Liberty St. Proactive cleaning goals will continue to increase in the next fiscal year.
10/16/2023 Roots 100 0 155 Cook St.
10/22/2023 Vandalism 21,750 21,750 696 Hanes Mall Blvd. In 2003, a Grease Interceptor Ordinance was adopted, which regulates the operation and maintenance of residential,
11/11/2023 Pipe Failure 50 0 929 Aureole St. commercial, and industrial grease trap interceptors.This ordinance alone has been effective in reducing the amount of
11/18/2023 Debris 850 0 2020 Cloverdale Ave. grease-related SSOs since its adoption. In 2003, the total number of SSOs spiked at 269.The following year it dropped to
11/24/2023 Roots 50 0 3544 Burnley Dr. 241, and the count has declined steadily since that time. While this ordinance has been effective,further assistance from
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1 -

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
Annual Performance Report for Wastewater Collection & Treatment
Systems Fiscal Year 2023-2024
Effective October 1 , 1999, all wastewater facilities that collect or treat
wastewater must notify the public of wastewater spills. The second part
to this rule requires the owner or operator of the wastewater treatment/
collection systems to provide an annual report to its users, customers
and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. This re-
port summarizes the performance of the treatment works/collection
h extent to which anyterms of itspermit, federal
systems and states the
laws, or any state laws, regulations or rules related to the protection of
water quality have been violated.
The Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Performance Report for WSFC Utili-
ties Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems will be available to
the public at the front desk of Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First St.,
at the Forsyth County Central Library, by calling City Link 336-727-8000
and at cityofws.org/wwreports.
WSJ: September 4, 2024. ######