WQ0000672_Residual Spill_19981005

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October 5, 1998
Ce(.edrating 25 years of EX,ceffence
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Fayetteville Regional Office
Wachovia Building - Suite 714
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301
Attention: Mr. Grady Dobson
Environmental Engineer
Reference- Residual Solids Spill
City of Lumberton, N.C.
Non -Discharge Permit No. WQ0000672
S&ME, Inc. Project No. 1588-93-004
Dear Mr. Dobson:
E C�' 0 7 1998
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S&ME, Inc. is under contract with the City of Lumberton (Lumberton) to manage their land
application of residual solids program for residuals being generated at the Lumberton Wastewater
Treatment Plant (WWTP) and the Lumberton Water Treatment Plant (WTP). On Monday,
September 28, 1998 spillage occurred from an Advanced Waste Management Services, Inc.
(AWMS) tanker truck transporting residual solids from the WWTP to one of the permitted land
application sites. The spill consisted of approximately 5 to 10 total gallons across approximately
1.2 miles of city and state roads. The spillage occurred when a bleed valve on the back of the
tanker truck was accidentally left open. The valve (approximately 1 ") is typically used to relieve
pressure from the main valve used for loading and off loading the tanker. The discharge occurred
as the driver left the WWTP and was alerted of the leaking valve when he stopped at a railroad
track crossing in route to the application field. Mr. Ricky Revels of the Fayetteville Regional office
was notified of the spill within 24 hours of its occurrence.
The spill area was identified immediately after the spill had occurred. The spill area was limited to
the road with none of the residual solids leaving the asphalt surface. Because of the minor amount
SWE, Inc. 3718 Old Battleground Rood, Greensboro, North Carolina 27410, [phone], Fax [phone]

N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources -DWQ S&ME Project No.1588-93-004
Residual Solids Spill October 5, 1998
of residuals that leaked over the 1.2 mile area of road, no immediate corrective actions were
feasible. Approximately two hours after the spill, the roadway showed little to no evidence of the
spill.
During an assessment of how the spill had occurred, it was determined that the truck which was
involved in the spill had left the bleed valve open at the application field and had not closed the
valve prior to returning to the plant to refill. To prevent this from occurring in the future, the truck
drivers have been informed of the importance of checking the valve to assure it is closed, both prior
to leaving the application field, and also at the WWTP when loading the tanker. S&ME, AWMS
and the City of Lumberton feel that any future problems will be avoided with these corrective
measures. The spill was of minor amounts over the area in which it occurred, and therefore, any
potential environmental or public concerns were none. If you have any questions or concerns
please feel free to contact S&ME (1-800-849-2985) or City of Lumberton - Mr. Howard Revels
[phone] at your convenience.
Sincerely,
S&ME, Inc.
G R. wz&c ' P,.
Robert P. Willcox, Jr.
Residuals Management Department Manager
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Cecil G. Link
Project Manager
cc: Mr. Howard Revels, City of Lumberton
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