Wastewater Report
Town of Cary
2009 -2010 Annual Wastewater Report
Leading the state in protecting and preserving our finite natural resources.
The Town of Cary Annual Wastewater Report
In an effort to keep citizens informed and maintain compliance with State of North Carolina requirements, the Town of Cary is pleased to provide this overview of programs relating to the operation, maintenance, and performance of its wastewater collection system.
The Town of Cary currently operates and maintains nearly 852 miles of collection system, 43 wastewater pumping stations, and nearly 23,670 manholes and safely treats 12 million gallons of wastewater on a daily basis.
Community Participation
The Town of Cary encourages public interest and participation in decisions affecting our community. Cary’s Town Council meetings are held in the Town Hall Council Chambers, 316 N. Academy Street, and cablecast live on Cary TV, cable channel 11. For additional information concerning Council meeting dates and times, please see the calendar at www.townofcary.org.
Vandalism to the Collection System - Costly and Dangerous
Over the years, vandalism to the Town of Cary wastewater collection system has led to a number of Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs), and tens of thousands of dollars in repairs and cleanup costs. Placing any foreign materials into manholes or other parts of the system is a serious crime, preventing free flow conditions and eventually often causing a line blockage. When these blockages go unnoticed and sewer overflows occur, serious public health and environmental concerns arise. A recent event of vandalism resulted in a sewer overflow of nearly 90,000 gallons of sewage reaching a local creek. Sewer overflows can have a reaching effect on the daily lives of the public.
The Town of Cary, along with state and federal regulatory agencies, can impose fines in excess of $1,000 and in some cases imprisonment to anyone convicted of knowingly creating an SSO. Should you suspect or witness the appearance of an act of vandalism to the sewer collection system, we urge you to immediately contact the Town of Cary Police Department by dialing 9-1-1.
It’s What You Don’t See That Becomes the Biggest Problem
Without a comprehensive sewage collection system inspection, evaluation and rehabilitation program, countless burdensome and costly problems can arise. System inspection is an ongoing effort in the Town of Cary. Assessment of the existing sewer lines, manholes, and pumping stations are continually under review. Manhole and underground line inspections are performed primarily in sections of town where the infrastructure is the oldest. But inspections are needed to all sections of the wastewater collection system and are performed over a number of years. Just like painting a bridge, inspection and restoration efforts never stop.
The Town of Cary budgets annually to restore or replace aging sections of sewer mains and update equipment. Typically, replacement is the best option. Due to condition and location, restoration by other means such as inserting a lining into the existing pipeline can be used. These liners, when installed, can extend the overall life of the line for up to 50 years.
Over the past five years, we rehabilitated 77,000 feet of sewer pipes and 3,678 feet of manholes.
Rehabilitation is performed by highly qualified outside firms, with Town engineers and inspectors overseeing the work. In addition to the replacement or rehabilitation projects, Town of Cary employees can average 100 to 200 wastewater system repairs annually. For information on activities relating to collection system improvement, repair and replacement, please visit our Web site at www.townofcary.org.
Contractors Did you know...
...that bulk reclaimed water can be used in a number of construction and landscaping applications?
• Mixing concrete and mortar
• Dust control
• Cooling direct drilling boring bits
• Fertilizer make up water for non-edible crops
The Town of Cary has bulk reclaimed water filling sites located at both of our water reclamation facilities, and it’s FREE! Potable water from a fire hydrant costs you $6.38 per thousand gallons, a $20.00 daily equipment usage fee, and $40.00 setup charge. If you are interested in using reclaimed water for these applications, or if you have questions on other possible uses, please contact the Public Works & Utilities Department at (919) 469-4090.
Grease Collection Continues to be a Success
An impressive 1,500 gallons of used cooking oil is being collected annually and preventing potentially serious problems in the wastewater collection system when it is otherwise poured down the drain.
Residents wishing to participate in the program can follow these four simple steps to recycle their cooking oils:
- Place waste cooking oils/grease in a sealable food container (no glass, please) such as the original container, a coffee can, or a soda bottle.
- Label the container "Waste Cooking Oil", and secure the cap/lid to prevent spillage.
- Call the Public Works & Utilities Department at (919) 469-4090 to schedule a pick up for a minimum 1/2 gallon waste oils/grease.
- Place waste cooking oil at the curb by 7 a.m. on day of scheduled collection.
The program is aimed at reducing sewer blockages and overflows. We see the evidence and potential dangers of fats, oils and grease (FOG) each day as crews clean and inspect the wastewater collection system.
As wastewater flow rises and falls, grease collects on the interior of the pipes. These grease globs grow and constrict wastewater flow and reduce capacity, ultimately blocking the line.
In addition to curbside grease collection, remembering the following can help maintain public health and our environment by keeping grease out of the wastewater collection system:
- Never pour greases, fats, or oils from cooking down the drain
- Reduce use of garbage disposals by creating a compost pile or disposing of food scraps in the trash can
- Remove grease from kitchen utensils with a scraper or paper towel before washing them.
North Cary Water Reclamation Facility 2009-2010 Annual Performance
|
Flow |
Carbonaceous Biochemical |
Ammonia |
Total Suspended Solids |
Fecal Coliform |
Dissolved Oxygen |
Total Nitrogen |
Total Phosphorus | ||||||||||
|
Month |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Required |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual | |
|
MGD |
MG/L |
MG/L |
MG/L |
#/100ML |
MG/L |
MG/L |
MG/L | ||||||||||
|
July |
12 |
5.29 |
4.1 |
0.00 |
0.5 |
0.06 |
30 |
1.10 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
7.70 |
** |
3.61 |
***2 |
1.24 | |
|
August |
12 |
5.63 |
4.1 |
0.00 |
0.5 |
0.00 |
30 |
0.00 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
7.50 |
** |
3.41 |
***2 |
0.52 | |
|
September |
12 |
5.66 |
4.1 |
0.00 |
0.5 |
0.00 |
30 |
0.20 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
7.70 |
** |
4.16 |
***2 |
0.82 | |
|
October |
12 |
5.98 |
4.1 |
0.00 |
0.5 |
0.03 |
30 |
0.20 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
8.10 |
** |
3.63 |
***2 |
0.36 | |
|
November |
12 |
6.47 |
8.2 |
0.00 |
1.0 |
0.00 |
30 |
0.10 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
8.50 |
** |
3.66 |
***2 |
0.56 | |
|
December |
12 |
6.90 |
8.2 |
0.00 |
1.0 |
0.03 |
30 |
0.80 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
9.20 |
** |
4.14 |
***2 |
0.28 | |
|
January |
12 |
6.88 |
8.2 |
0.00 |
1.0 |
0.01 |
30 |
1.60 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
9.70 |
** |
4.27 |
***2 |
0.16 | |
|
February |
12 |
7.17 |
8.2 |
0.22 |
1.0 |
0.02 |
30 |
1.02 |
200 |
1.02 |
>5* |
9.88 |
** |
4.65 |
***2 |
0.22 | |
|
March |
12 |
6.52 |
8.2 |
0.00 |
1.0 |
0.04 |
30 |
0.13 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
9.60 |
** |
2.85 |
***2 |
0.28 | |
|
April |
12 |
5.98 |
4.1 |
0.00 |
0.5 |
0.03 |
30 |
0.05 |
200 |
1.00 |
>5* |
8.80 |
** |
2.67 |
***2 |
0.23 | |
|
May |
12 |
5.45 |
4.1 |
0.00 |
0.5 |
0.01 |
30 |
0.43 |
200 |
1.20 |
>5* |
8.36 |
** |
2.66 |
***2 |
0.18 | |
|
June |
12 |
5.15 |
4.1 |
0.00 |
0.5 |
0.01 |
30 |
0.49 |
200 |
1.18 |
>5* |
7.90 |
** |
1.59 |
***2 |
0.36 | |
South Cary Water Reclamation Facility 2009-2010 Annual Performance
|
Flow |
Carbonaceous Biochemical |
Ammonia |
Total Suspended Solids |
Fecal Coliform |
Dissolved Oxygen |
Total Nitrogen |
Total Phosphorus | ||||||||||
|
Month |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Required |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual |
Limit |
Actual | |
|
MGD |
MG/L |
MG/L |
MG/L |
#/100ML |
MG/L |
MG/L |
MG/L | ||||||||||
|
July |
12.8 |
4.588 |
5 |
0.0 |
1.0 |
0.00 |
30 |
0.16 |
200 |
2 |
>5* |
7.20 |
** |
1.36 |
***2 |
0.495 | |
|
August |
12.8 |
4.583 |
5 |
0.0 |
1.0 |
0.00 |
30 |
0.00 |
200 |
2 |
>5* |
.7 |
** |
1.63 |
***2 |
0.622 | |
|
September |
12.8 |
4.542 |
5 |
0.0 |
1.0 |
0.01 |
30 |
0.05 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
6.96 |
** |
1.99 |
***2 |
0.783 | |
|
October |
12.8 |
4.451 |
5 |
0.0 |
1.0 |
0.01 |
30 |
0.30 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
7.0 |
** |
1.87 |
***2 |
0.820 | |
|
November |
12.8 |
5.077 |
10 |
0.0 |
2.0 |
0.11 |
30 |
0.19 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
7.3 |
** |
1.73 |
***2 |
0.567 | |
|
December |
12.8 |
5.728 |
10 |
0.0 |
2.0 |
0.10 |
30 |
0.06 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
8.2 |
** |
2.09 |
***2 |
0.106 | |
|
January |
12.8 |
5.365 |
10 |
0.0 |
2.0 |
0.02 |
30 |
0.23 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
8.3 |
** |
2.65 |
***2 |
0.025 | |
|
February |
12.8 |
6.080 |
10 |
0.0 |
2.0 |
0.02 |
30 |
0.06 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
8.5 |
** |
2.76 |
***2 |
0.066 | |
|
March |
12.8 |
5.567 |
10 |
0.0 |
2.0 |
0.00 |
30 |
0.00 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
8.0 |
** |
2.26 |
***2 |
0.105 | |
|
April |
12.8 |
5.006 |
5 |
0.0 |
1.0 |
0.00 |
30 |
0.00 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
7.9 |
** |
2.43 |
***2 |
0.522 | |
|
May |
12.8 |
5.004 |
5 |
0.0 |
1.0 |
0.01 |
30 |
0.11 |
200 |
1 |
>5* |
7.4 |
** |
2.18 |
***2 |
0.495 | |
|
June |
12.8 |
4.814 |
5 |
0.1 |
1.0 |
0.08 |
30 |
0.00 |
200 |
2 |
>5* |
7.1 |
** |
1.87 |
***2 |
0.908 | |
* = Daily Required Level
** = No Limit
*** = Quarterly Limit
_ = Violation
1 = Monthly Average
2 = Geometric Mean
DL = Detection Levels (values below detection levels are reported as zero as allowed by NC General Statutes and then averaged, with the exception of Fecal Coliform)
Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) FY 2009-2010
|
July 2009 |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
|
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
|
Lochness Lane Loch Highlands Drive |
Pipe Failure Debris & Roots |
Alston Avenue
Wilkerson Avenue |
|
Buck Jones Road |
| ||||||
|
January 2010 |
February 2010 |
March 2010 |
April 2010 |
May 2010 |
June 2010 | ||||||
|
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
Location |
Cause |
|
Kitty Hawk Drive Kenmure Court Hampshire Court |
Debris
|
Webster Street St. Andrews Lane |
Grease Debris |
Walnut Street |
Roots |
Harrison Avenue |
Pipe Failure Grease Debris |
Sturdivant Drive Strathburg Lane |
Plug Left by Contractor Debris |
Academy Street Buck Jones Road |
Debris
|
