Post-storm wastewater spill update from CFPUA

WILMINGTON, NC (NEWS RELEASE) – Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Operations crews responded to and resolved a sewer system bypass of approximately 150,000 gallons that occurred Thursday, September 30th at the intermediate pump station of the Southside Wastewater Treatment Facility on River Road in Wilmington, NC. This incident began at 7:02 am and ended at approximately 7:30 am. Approximately 75,000 gallons of the bypass flowed into the Cape Fear River.

The overflow was caused by the abnormally high rain event in the area (10+ inches in less than 24 hours), which substantially increased the volume of water being introduced into the collection system, and a loss of power from both the utility service provider and the back-up generator. The incident was resolved once power was restored. Additional actions have been taken by Staff to prevent the re-occurrence of this type of an incident.

NC DWQ was notified of the spill and worked closely with CFPUA during the response process.

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Operations crews have responded to and continue to monitor and work the sewer system overflows (SSOs) noted in the table below totaling approximately 112,908 gallons as of the time of this release. These overflows began Wednesday morning, September 29th. All but one have ceased at this time. Crews continue to monitor and work the ongoing incident to minimize impacts.

The SSOs locations, times of first notification, estimated quantity, and receiving basin are as follows:

Location / Time of first Knowledge / Quantity / Status / Basin

West Kilarny and Pine Grove Rd. / 9/29/10 – 7.47 AM / 39,900 / stopped / Hewletts Creek

Metts Rd and 22 nd St. / 9/29/10 – 2:27:00 PM / 3046 / stopped / Burnt Mill Creek

Borden Rd. / 9/2910 – 2:27:00 PM / 3026 / stopped / Burnt Mill Creek

1300 block of Market St. / 9/29/10 – 9:25:00 AM / 27950 / stopped / Burnt Mill Creek

29th St. and Princess Place / 9/29/10 – 7:50:00 AM / 3860 / stopped / Burnt Mill Creek

Colonial Dr. and Forest Hills / 9/30/10 – 10:20:00 AM / 27324 / on-going / Burnt Mill Creek

449 21St. St. / 9/30/10 – 12:30:00 PM / 4202 / stopped / Burnt Mill Creek

209 Mears / 9/30/10 – 2:45 PM / 3600 / stopped / Cape Fear River

The overflows were caused by the abnormally high rain events, associated with several storms brought to the area by Tropical Storm Nicole. These storm events resulted in rains of approximately 22 inches, which caused the entry of rain water into the sanitary sewer system.

NC DWQ has been notified of the spills and has worked closely with CFPUA during the event and response process.