Each year every municipality, county and private corporation with a public sewer collection and treatment system is asked to send in a report for their previous year’s activities.  This is to stay current with the types of treatment systems being used, the miles of pipelines in service, and any problems reported to the state by either the collection system or the treatment plant over the last 12 months.  This is also a requirement by the state for their records and a way to report to the citizens in each community what their system is like and how it has been doing.  This article serves only as a summary of the report, but I urge anyone interested to read the report in its entirety here.

In February of 2017, we received our EPA Administrative Order by Consent, which required improvements to our collection system within 5 years. Due to problems associated with COVID, we have received an extension to have all improvements completed by December 31, 2024. Most of the projects will be complete at this time except for portions that were removed due to escalated costs and material delays. Additional funds have been secured to complete these excluded projects in the next couple of years.

Our own Collection and Distribution crews continue to search for and fix new issues that arise.  Due to their efforts, there have been no inflow and infiltration problems reported in the system again during the past 12 months. They have responded to and unstopped 128 laterals and 15 sewer mains, cleaned 5 miles of additional sewer mains, and inspected over 7 miles of mains with a special sewer camera.  There do continue to be overflow events that are difficult to prevent, though. The city experienced 12 events during the past 12 months for a total loss of 41,930 gallons. Of that, 40,580 gallons reached surface waters.  This was an increase from last year, which is why it is critical we complete our projects in the collection system. Storm runoff was the cause of 7 of these events, but the other 5 were caused by unexpected circumstances. 1 was caused by a pipe failure, 1 was caused by debris buildup in a pipe, and 3 were due to work being done at a pump station. These issues have been resolved with the work completion. We have made a lot of improvements, but we still must rely on our citizens to be better educated about the effects of trash in our system. Trash not designed for the sewer can collect in the lines and cause an unexpected blockage anywhere.

The treatment system for the city consists of one wastewater treatment plant. We are also in charge of the New Street Wastewater Treatment Plant.  In the past 12 months, there were no discharges.  A pump station has been completed next to the plant and is now receiving the flow from the industry that once went to the plant. We will continue to monitor the plant and pump any excess water to the pump station to be treated at the Mebane Bridge Treatment Plant.  The Mebane Bridge Wastewater Treatment plant can treat up to 13.5 million gallons a day, but for the past twelve months, the facility only averaged 3.063 million gallons a day.  This is a slight decrease from last year. Much of our plant is original from 1967, but we have completed a few upgrades and have more planned.  Currently, designs are being prepared for an upgrade to our aeration basin. This should begin next year. Due to supply issues over the past year with gas chlorine along with the safety concerns, we are currently making plans as well to switch to liquid chlorine. In this form, it is safer and there are more sources available. Construction is expected to begin next year. Our Maintenance and Operations staff do a fantastic job in keeping everything running properly and are doing all they can to stay up to date with the new processes.  With all these changes, our 8 operators continue to work together to efficiently produce a high-quality effluent.  For the past 12 months, we have had no violations at the plant.

The city is doing as much as it can with what resources it has to protect the system, but many events are out of our control, such as flooding from heavy rains. A lot of problems that occur can be prevented by you as a community being educated and aware.  Our grease program has helped educate area restaurants, but there is still a significant amount of grease that can come from residents disposing of grease improperly.  Remember to wipe solids off of dishes into the trash and never pour grease into the sink. Even if you have a garbage disposal, realize that the disposal is only designed for the little scraps that make it through.  Also, wipes of various kinds still make it into the system.  They can cause blockages in your household pipes as well as the lines in our system.  Wipes should be disposed of in the trash can, no matter what kind they are.  Even wipes labeled “flushable” still have trouble breaking down and are better off in the trash.  When problems are in specific areas of town, we try to get out informative brochures or door hangers that cover how to prevent whatever the problem is.  If you ever receive one of these, make sure you take it seriously.  All efforts by our citizens are appreciated and needed.  There is information on the website if you would like to learn more. 

If you have any further questions about our sewer system, please feel free to contact the City.  One of us will be happy to answer any questions you may have and even conduct quick tours of our facility as time allows. 

For more information, email Utilities Manager Melinda Ward or call 336-627-1009.