Is It Sewage Spill Season?
The rash of recent reports of sewage spills is alarming. During the past week, sewage spills were reported in Tega Cay, south Charlotte, and various other locations. A copy of CMUD's press releases and links to other news reports about the problems are included below.
2010 Sewage Overflow in Great Falls, SC
While CMUD and Tega Cay officials are to be commended for responding quickly to reports of sewage problems, you have to wonder if budget cutbacks are impacting the maintenance of sewage systems adversely.
Links
Tega Cay residents worried about red sludge seeping ... - WSOC-TV 9
www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/tega-cay-residents.../nMHkH/Cached Pictures submitted by a whistle-blower in Tega Cay last week show a ... of a larger problem -- aging sewer systems, sometimes in towns that ...
No swim advisory posted near Tega Cay - Tega Cay Talk
tegacaytalk.com/profiles/blogs/no-swim-advisory-posted-nearCached
Feb 16, 2011 – A no swim advisory is in effect near Tega Cay, but little else was made ... Tags: Cay, Lake, Tega, Wylie, advisory, no, sewage, spill, swim, ...
S.C.'s new sewage spill law gets mixed reviews | Lake Wylie Pilot ...
www.lakewyliepilot.com/2012/.../scs-new-sewage-spill-law-gets.htmlCachedCached
Feb 20, 2012 – S.C.'s new sewage spill law gets mixed reviews ... In Tega Cay, several spills in late 2010 and early 2011 led to the state asking Tega Cay ...
tegacaytalk.com/profiles/blogs/no-swim-advisory-posted-nearCached
Feb 16, 2011 – A no swim advisory is in effect near Tega Cay, but little else was made ... Tags: Cay, Lake, Tega, Wylie, advisory, no, sewage, spill, swim, ...
S.C.'s new sewage spill law gets mixed reviews | Lake Wylie Pilot ...
www.lakewyliepilot.com/2012/.../scs-new-sewage-spill-law-gets.htmlCachedCached
Feb 20, 2012 – S.C.'s new sewage spill law gets mixed reviews ... In Tega Cay, several spills in late 2010 and early 2011 led to the state asking Tega Cay ...
Press Releases from CMUD
Wastewater Spills near Catawba River, McAlpine Creek, and Toby Creek
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department (CMUD) crews responded to wastewater spills on April 3rd near these locations:
1516 Mt. Isle Harbor Drive – the spill was caused by a broken valve on the pipe serving 1516 Mt. Isle Harbor Drive. An estimated 50 gallons (out of 60 gallons) reached a storm drain that feeds into the Catawba River. A crew found the spill and immediately took appropriate steps to repair the pipe and clean the area. No dead fish were found associated with this overflow.
500 East Mallard Creek Church Road - the spill was caused by a blockage of tree roots and debris. An estimated 29,640 gallons reached Toby Creek. A crew got to the spill location within 36 minutes and took steps to clear the blockage and clean the area. No dead fish were found associated with this overflow.
2600 Lynbridge Drive - the spill was caused by a blockage of kitchen grease and debris. An estimated 2,330 gallons reached McAlpine Creek. A crew got to the spill location within 10 minutes and took steps to clear the blockage and clean the area. No dead fish were found associated with this overflow.
Utilities crews maintain 4,047 miles of wastewater pipe. Sewer charges from monthly water bills fund preventative maintenance, emergency response, and the safe daily delivery of an average of 83 million gallons of wastewater to five treatment plants, where wastewater is treated to high water quality standards and released back into our waterways.
“We need your help to control the cost of providing service –protecting public health and the environment -- by reporting any sewer problems to 311 at any time,” Said Cam Coley, spokesperson for CMUD.
This news release was issued Wednesday, April 4, 2012 to comply with N.C. General Statute 143-215.1C (a portion of the Clean Water Act of 1999).
Residents urged to steer clear of pond at Park Road Park
Charlotte-Mecklenburg officials are asking the public to be cautious near the Park Road Park pond due to possible contamination. A sewage spill entered a tributary that flows into the pond. Although the sewage pipe near 5624 Glenkirk Road has been fixed, approximately 2,000 gallons of untreated sewage may have gone into the Park Road Park pond.
Residents are urged to keep children and pets out of the Park Road Park pond until further notice. Fishing in the pond during this time is also discouraged. Signs have been posted in Park Road Park to alert residents of the situation.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is testing the water quality in the pond to determine the sewage spill’s impact. “Preliminary results show that oxygen levels in the pond water are below normal,” said John McCulloch of Storm Water Services’ Water Quality program.
An aerator is now being used to increase oxygen levels in the pond. McCulloch noted that lab results on bacteria levels should be available tomorrow.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department responded on Monday to a report of a wastewater overflow in a residential area near Park Road Park. A blockage of kitchen grease caused the spill. Untreated sewage entered a small creek that flows into the park. Utility crews took immediate steps to pump affected creek water into a manhole for treatment, then clean the area.
The response is being coordinated by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services.
Media contact: John McCulloch, Storm Water Services Cell: 980-721-3760 Desk: 704-336-5455
John.McCulloch@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
