NC0000752_NC0000752 5-day Bypass Report 20240916_20240916

WWTP Upset , Spill, or Bypass 5-Day Reporting Form
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DWR
Division of Water Resources
WWTP Upset , Spill, or Bypass 5-Day Reporting Form
(Please Print or Type Use Attachments if Needed)
Permittee: _WestRock Kraft Paper, LLC_ Permit Number: NPDES: NC0000752
Storm Water: NCS000106
Facility Name: WestRock Kraft Paper, LLC County: _Halifax
Incident Started: Date: 9/11/2024 Time: 5:00 PM
Incident Ended: Date: 9/11/2024 Time: 5:50 PM
Level of Treatment:
_None_Primary Treatment_X_Secondary Treatment_Chlorination/Disinfection Only
Estimated Volume of Spill/Bypass: 750 gallons (must be given even if it is a rough estimate)
Did the Spill/Bypass reach the Surface Waters? _Yes_X_ No
If yes, please list the following:
Volume Reaching Surface Waters: _750 gallons to storm sewer. No material was observed to reach the
Roanoke River. Surface Water Name: Roanoke River
Did the Spill/Bypass result in a Fish Kill? Yes_X_No
Was WWTP compliant with permit requirements? _X_Yes No
Were samples taken during event? _X_Yes No
Source of the Upset/Spill/Bypass (Location or Treatment Unit):
Paper machine filtrate from the lift station.
Cause or Reason for the Upset/Spill/Bypass:
On September 11, 2024, at 3:30 PM, flow was observed from the paper machine building area flowing
across the mill trailer yard towards the stormwater ditch. The flow was found to be caused by a pump failure
in the lift station at the woodyard, resulting in overflow of the paper machine filtrate to the surface.

WWTP Upset , Spill, or Bypass 5-Day Reporting Form
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Describe the Repairs Made or Actions Taken:
Upon discovering the malfunctioning lift pumps, mill maintenance worked to return them to service and
stopped the event. The lift station pumps were upset from 2:30 to 5:30 PM, before the issue was resolved,
returning the lift station to normal operation. Temporary pumps were set up during this time to clear the lift
station while repairs were performed.
Action Taken to Contain Spill, Clean Up and Remediate the Site (if applicable):
To minimize the potential for impact to the receiving stream, the mill covered stormwater manholes in the
path of overland flow and used a combination of plastic sheets, sand and sandbags to direct flow away from
them. The stormwater ditch downstream of the overland flow was dammed with sandbags to prevent flow
from going to the receiving stream. Observations of the stormwater ditch downstream of the interim dam
indicated that no flow had made it to the river. Material collected in the stormwater ditch was pumped into a
vacuum truck and returned to the mill wastewater system for proper treatment.
Action Taken or Proposed to be Taken to Prevent Occurrences:
Install a flow meter and pressure sensor with alarms to warn of possible failure.
Additional Comments About the Event:
To clarify: The mill storm water flows to a storm water ditch on the south and west side of the mill where it
combines with flow from off-site sources before ultimately discharging to the Roanoke River. 750 gallons of
dilute paper machine white water was estimated to have drained to the combined storm sewer, which was
dammed with sandbags unavoidably allowing minimal, if any flow to be released to the river. Samples were
taken of the material upstream of the temporary dam; however, the results are for the material that was
collected by the dam. We did not observe flow of the sampled material making it to the Roanoke River.
24-Hour Report Made To: Division of Water Resources X_ Emergency Management
Contact Name: Donald Smith Date: 11/12/24 Time:
11:55 am
Other Agencies Notified (Health Dept, etc): _Telephone call with Thad Valentine, Land Resources,
RRO, DEQ
Person Reporting Event: Mike Knudson Phone Number: _252-326-5288
Did DWR Request an Additional Written Report? _Yes_X_ No (only this 5-day report)
If Yes, What Additional Information is Needed:
_Additional information can be provided upon request.

WWTP Upset , Spill, or Bypass 5-Day Reporting Form
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