WQ0004910_Correspondence_20190809

Town of Woodland
PO Box 297
123 E. Main Street
Woodland,
and, NC 27897
l Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] ukvd1andnc@mdu�cmn
www.touN9ftA oodlandnc.com
August 9, 2019
NC Dept of Environmenral Ou a I i
N.C. Division Water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center AUG 2 2 2019
Raleigh, NC 27699-161
Dear Concerned: Raleigh Regional Office
We have a problem with one lagoon in our wastewater system and I seek your assistance.
In 2009, there was an explosion of a peanut dome in Severn, NC. As a result of the
explosion, there were thousands of tons of peanuts that had been burning for some time.
A decision was made by the state to have the burned peanuts and other related debris to
be discharged into lagoons. In an effort to accommodate our neighboring town and NC
DWQ, we received many truck loads of burned peanuts and debris into our lagoon. We
now have a problem with excessive build-up in our#1 lagoon. I am not indicating that
the dome fire of Severn Peanut Co. is the entire problem, but was a significant
contributor to the current problem. We cleaned our sewer lines and that contributed, but
to a much lesser degree.
We have 53 acres of spray field that was originally set out in trees. The trees were later
removed; however there were ruts left as a result of their removal that still exist. I am
requesting that Woodland be allowed to re-use the sand and dirt from lagoon#1 to be
spread on our spray fields. This would allow us to significantly improve the surface of the
spray fields.This material that is now in the lagoon, why not utilize it to improve our
spray fields? We would remove the trash and other debris from the contents as best we
can and properly dispose of that material.
We have recently made significant improvements to our spray fields with new nozzles,
stand pipes, and such. I ask that you give our request special consideration in as much as
we approved the request of the state to accept the refuse from the dome fire in Severn and
the material is not significantly different than the liquid material that is being sprayed
currently. Unfortunately, we have lost all of our industry due to factors beyond our
control which had reduced our tax base, thereby reducing our income. We have increased
our water and wastewater fees to try to improve our intake and to be more in line with
recommendations that would favor grant applications. We have applied for a Community
Development Block Grant but were not approved. We have upgraded our water meters

and put a first priority on finding and fixing leaks. We still have some unmet needs that
we cannot afford. Our wastewater system is in need of repair that we cannot fund.
I believe our request is a common sense approach to a problem that certainly deserves
special consideration, considering all the factors, and would allow us to begin a positive
approach to an expensive problem that will be much less expensive if we can reuse the
dirt in the spray fields. I sincerely request that Woodland be given special consideration
and favor us with a positive response that will allow us to begin a process whereby we
can help ourselves in taking care of a problem. If you need additional information, I will
make myself available any time to answer questions concerning our request.
Most�Sincerely Yours,
' jj� "I
M.E. Lassiter, O.R.C.
Town of Woodland