WQCS00017_NOV-2019-DV-0256 Response_20190702

.IVERS
U T I L I T I E S
We are TRU to our customers!
U.S. Postal Service
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�1100RLSVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE
Mr. W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
610 East Center Avenue; Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
RE: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ISSUE CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking No.: NOV-2019-DV-0256
Sanitary Sewer Overflows — May 2019
Collection System Permit No. WQCS00017
Gastonia Collection System (Two Rivers Utilities)
Gaston County
Dear Mr. Basinger:
The City of Gastonia's Two Rivers Utilities (TRU) is in receipt of the referenced Notice of Violation & Intent to
Issue Civil Penalty for two self -reported sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) occurring in May 2019. The intent
of this correspondence is to provide additional information regarding the cause of the SSOs and actions
taken to prevent recurrence of such events.
The two SSOs reported are identified below:

Please find additional information below for each of the two self -reported SSOs:
Incident Number 201900872-228 Bessemer City Road
• The SSO was not intentional.
• Cause: Debris
• Total Volume: 200 gallons
• Total Volume Reaching Surface Waters: 150 gallons
• Duration: The sewer overflow was reported on May 1, 2019 at 2:05 pm and ended at 2:50pm. The
emergency response crew responded immediately, the blockage was cleared, and the debris was
vacuumed. After cleaning the site, pulverized lime was applied. The total SSO duration time was 45
minutes.
• Impacts to Public Health: There were no known or reported impacts to public health.
• Fish Kills: There were no known or reported fish kills.
• Money Saved by Non -Compliance: No expense was saved by non-compliance.
• Actions Taken to Prevent Recurrence: The line was cleaned thoroughly and inspected for damage.
Incident Number 201900922-708 S. Weldon Street
• The SSO was not intentional.
• Cause: Several Natural Condition —large storm cell with very heavy rain
• Total Volume: 3,000 gallons
• Total Volume Reaching Surface Waters: 3,000 gallons
• Duration: The sewer overflow was identified on May 11, 2019 at 3:30pm and ended at 4:30pm. The
emergency response crew responded immediately, and once the overflow ceased, the debris was
removed. After cleaning the site, pulverized lime was applied. The total SSO duration time was 60
minutes.
• Impacts to Public Health: There were no known or reported impacts to public health.
• Fish Kills: There were no known or reported fish kills.
• Money Saved by Non -Compliance: No expense was saved by non-compliance.
• Actions Taken to Prevent Recurrence: Once the storm passed, flow returned to normal and the
line/structure was inspected for damage.
TRU collection system maintenance crews operate three jetter trailers and two combination vacuum/jetter
trucks. TRU utilizes a video truck with Granite software to help identify line blockages. TRU dedicates three
crews to preventative maintenance and for response to emergency blockages, with one crew designated for
outfall maintenance. TRU crews cleaned 76 miles of sanitary lines in 2019 of a total of 600 miles in our
wastewater collection system.
Although there were no identified fill kills, no known negative impacts to public health, and no closures of
recreational areas due to these self -reported SSOs, TRU remains sensitive to environmental and public risks
associated with SSOs and committed to protecting the environment and natural resources. TRU has an
active inspection program and personnel that is trained and certified to perform preventative and corrective
maintenance to our system. We continue to make advancements to improve all programs relating to the
care and maintenance of the wastewater collection system.

Thank you for consideration of the information provided herein. If I can provide any additional information,
or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via phone at [phone] or email me at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
6J;9Bran.00c, PE
Assistant Director of Public Utilities