Water/Wastewater Treatment
Water Treatment
The Water Treatment Plant located at 603 Lauchwood Drive was dedicated in October 1980. Laurinburg’s plant was one of North Carolina’s first ground water facilities, complete with pre-treatment aeration, retention basin, and filters. Today our facility has a treatment capacity of 8 million gallons per day with a total of 16 deep wells.
Water Plant operators are responsible for complying with strict regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. They perform daily analysis of raw, filtered and finished water. Our laboratory is a State Certified Laboratory. The North Carolina Water Treatment Facility Operators Board of Certification has certified operators for this department as water treatment facility operators.
We have been very fortunate in years past not having to implement our Water Conservation Ordinance; however, we continually ask that all our customers help us conserve and protect our water resources. Water conservation tips are available for our customers at the Water Treatment Plant and Consumer Billing Department. In the event we implement our Water Conservation Ordinance we ask anyone with alternate water source(s) (i.e. private well) to please contact us at (910) 277-0214 for signage that will allow property owners to comply with the ordinance.
City of Laurinburg
Consumer Confidence Report
PWSID# 03-83-010
May 8, 2012
We are pleased to present to you this year’s Annual Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality water and services we deliver to you everyday. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water. Our water source is ground water that comes from the Black Creek Aquifer. Currently we have sixteen wells located in the southern and eastern part of Laurinburg.
The City of Laurinburg is pleased to report that our drinking water is safe for human consumption. We have met or exceeded all federal and state requirements for drinking water standards. This report shows our water quality and what it means.
If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact Robert A. Ellis at the City of Laurinburg Water Treatment Plant (910) 277-0214. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled meetings. They are held on the first Tuesday after the fifteenth of each month at 303 West Church Street in the Council Chambers at 7:00 P.M.
In this table you will find many terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with. To help you better understand these terms we’ve provided a table of definitions.
Table Definitions
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant that if exceeded triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Non-Detects (ND): Laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.
Parts per million (ppm): One part per million corresponds to one minute in two years.
Parts per billion (ppb): One part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years.
Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): Picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.
MCL’s are set at very stringent levels. To understand the possible health effects described for many regulated constituents, a person would have to drink 2 liters of water every day at the MCL level for a lifetime to have a one-in-a-million chance of having the described health effect.
The City of Laurinburg Water Department continuously monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. This table shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1st to December 31st 2011 and the last test results of contaminants that were not due to be tested in 2011. As water travels over the land or underground it can pick up substances.
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Test Results
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Contaminant
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Violation
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Level
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Unit
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MCLG
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MCL
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Typical Source
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Y/N
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Detected
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Measurement
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Radioactive Contaminants May 2011
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Radium 226
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N
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2.1
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pC/I
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0
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3
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Radium 228
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N
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2.0
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pC/I
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0
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2
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Erosion of natural deposits
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Combined Radium
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N
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4.1
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pC/I
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0
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5
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Erosion of natural deposits
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Alpha emitters
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N
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7.8
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pC/I
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0
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15
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Erosion of natural deposits
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Inorganic Contaminants May 2011
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Fluoride
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N
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0.94
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ppm
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4
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4
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Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
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Lead (Sept. 2010)
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N
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<3
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ppb
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0
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AL =15
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Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of
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90th Percentile
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natural deposits.
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Copper (Sept 2010)
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N
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.087
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ppm
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1.3
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AL=1.3
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Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of
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90th Percentile
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natural deposits. Leaching from wood preservatives
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Unregulated Inorganic Contaminant
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Contaminant (units)
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Sample Date
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Your Water
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Proposed MCL
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Sulfate (ppm)
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01/18/07
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15
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500
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Water Characteristics Contaminants May 2011
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Contaminant (units)
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MCL/MRDL
Violation
Y/N
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Your
Water
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Secondary
MCL
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*Sodium (ppm)
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N
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31.1
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N/A
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*pH
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N
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8.2
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N/A
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*Secondary contaminants are substances that affect the taste, odor, and/or color of drinking water. They do not have any health effects and normally do not affect the safety of your water
As you can see by the table, our system had no violations. We’re proud that your drinking water meets or exceeds all Federal and State requirements. We have learned through our monitoring and testing that some constituents have been detected. The EPA has determined that your water is SAFE at these levels.
All sources of drinking water are subject to potential contamination by substances that are naturally occurring or man made. These substances can be microbes, inorganic or organic chemicals and radioactive substances. All drinking water, including bottled water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.
More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791
The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Public Water Supply (PWS) Section, Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) conducted assessments for all drinking water sources across NC. The purpose of the assessments was to determine the susceptibility of each drinking water source (well or surface water intake) to Potential Contaminant Sources (PCSs). The results of the assessment are available in SWAP Assessment Reports that include maps, background information and a relative susceptibility rating of Higher, Moderate or Lower.
The relative susceptibility rating of each source for The City of Laurinburg was determined by combining the contaminant rating (number and location of PCSs within the assessment area) and the inherent vulnerability rating (i.e., characteristics or existing conditions of the well or watershed and its delineated assessment area.) The assessment findings are summarized in the table below:
SWAP Results
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Source Name
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Susceptibility Rating
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Well #2
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Higher
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Well #5
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Moderate
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Well #6
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Higher
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Well #7
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Moderate
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Well #8
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Moderate
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Well #9
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Moderate
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Well #10
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Moderate
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Well #11
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Moderate
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Well #12
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Moderate
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Well #13
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Moderate
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Well #14
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Higher
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Well #15
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Higher
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Well #16
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Moderate
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Well #17
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Higher
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Well #18
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Higher
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Well #19
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Higher
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The complete SWAP Assessment report for The City of Laurinburg may be viewed on the Web at: http://www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/pws/swap . To obtain a printed copy of this report, please mail a written request to: Source Water Assessment Program – Report Request, 1634 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1634, or email request to swap@ncmail.net. Please indicate your system name, PWSID #03-83-010 and provide your name, mailing address and phone number. If you have any questions about the SWAP report please contact the Source Water Assessment staff by phone at 919-715-2633.
It is important to understand that susceptibility rating of “higher” does not imply poor water quality, only the systems’ potential to become contaminated by PCS’s in the assessment area
In our continuing efforts to maintain a safe and dependable water supply it may be necessary to make improvements in your water system.
“If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. City of Laurinburg is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.”
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
“We at the City of Laurinburg Water Department work around the clock to provide top quality water to every tap,” said Robert Ellis, Director of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future.
We have submitted the required Performance Annual Reports for our NPDES permits, NC0036773 City of Laurinburg Water Treatment Plant, NC0020656/WQ002526/WQCS00062 City of Laurinburg’s Leith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and NC0021661 Pilkington North American Wastewater Plant (Formerly LOF). You can find these reports and a copy of this Consumer Confidence report on the City of Laurinburg’s home page at www.laurinburg.org.
Wastewater Treatment
Leith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant is your Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW), located east of the recycling center on Hall Street. The POTW has the capacity to treat 4.0 million gallons per day. The Wastewater department is responsible for the quality of effluent that goes to the receiving stream, which is Big Shoe Heel Creek in Scotland County. Operators at the POTW are also responsible for 34 pumping stations in the collections system and at the plant.
The State's Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission must certify operators at the POTW. Leith Creek’s laboratory is a state certified laboratory that meets strict EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and State regulations. The Water and Wastewater departments have a total of 10 employees with a combined total of 99 years of experience.
Annual Performance Report 2011
General Information
Facility/System Name
Responsible Entity
Person In Charge/Contact
Applicable Permit(s) |
City of Laurinburg Water Treatment Plant
City of Laurinburg
Robert A. Ellis, Treatment Plants Director
NC0036773 |
Description of Collection System
The City of Laurinburg operates a 6.0 MGD Water Treatment Facility at 603 Lauchwood Drive. The wastewater that is generated at this facility is the water that is used to backwash the three rapid sand filters, this water is discharged into Big Branch Creek.
Summary of System Performance for Calendar Year 2011
The discharge from the City of Laurinburg’s Water Treatment Plant met all permit requirements and had no Notice of Violation (NOV) for the year.
Notification
This Annual Performance Report will appear on the City of Laurinburg’s web site www.laurinburg.org and a statement on our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) will inform citizens that the Annual Report is available via internet or upon request.
Certification
I certify under penalty of law that this report is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further certify that this report has been made available to the users or customers of the named system and that those users have been notified of its availability.
Robert A. Ellis
Treatment Plants Director
City of Laurinburg
January 24, 2012
Annual Performance Report 2011
General Information
Facility/System Name
Responsible Entity
Person In Charge/Contact
Applicable Permit(s) |
Pilkington North American Wastewater Plant
City of Laurinburg
Robert A. Ellis, Treatment Plants Director
Ricky Odom, ORC
NC0021661 |
Description of Collection System
The Pilkington North American Wastewater Treatment Plant is a 30,000 gallons per day wastewater facility with the following components: extended aeration, anaerobic sludge digesters, clarifier and post chlorination. This facility treats only the domestic waste from Pilkington North American Plant.
Summary of System Performance for Calendar Year 2011
The discharge from the Pilkington North American Wastewater Treatment Plant was in non-compliance in July 2011 due to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) did not meet 85% removal.
Notification
This Annual Performance Report will appear on the City of Laurinburg’s web site www.laurinburg.org and a statement on our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) will inform citizens that the Annual Report is available via internet or upon request.
Certification
I certify under penalty of law that this report is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further certify that this report has been made available to the users or customers of the named system and that those users have been notified of its availability.
Robert A. Ellis
Treatment Plants Director
City of Laurinburg
January 24, 2012
Annual Performance Report 2011
General Information
Facility/System Name
Responsible Entity
Person In Charge/Contact
Applicable Permit(s) |
City of Laurinburg Leith Creek Wastewater Plant
City of Laurinburg
Robert A. Ellis, Treatment Plants Director
NC0020656 / WQ002526 / WQCS00062 |
Description of Collection System
The City of Laurinburg’s collection system consists of 34 pump stations located throughout the system. There are 123.7 miles of gravity sewers and 24 miles of force mains. Our Leith Creek Plant consists of two types of treatment, one extended aeration plant, consisting of 2 aeration basins, 2 clarifiers, 2 chlorine contact chambers and one return sludge pump station with 3 pumps, total capacity 2.0 million gallons per day (MGD).
The second plant is an oxidation ditch style with 1 clarifier, 1 chlorination point and 1 return sludge pump station with 3 pumps, total capacity 2.0 MGD, for a total treatment capacity of 4.0 MGD. The facility has 2 aerobic digesters, (1) 150,000-gallon tank and (1) 650,000-gallon tank with course air diffusers.
Summary of System Performance for Calendar Year 2011.
The discharge from the City of Laurinburg’s Leith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was in non-compliance for the month of September for exceeding Ammonia Nitrogen limits and for the month of October due to exceeding Total Suspended Residue for the week of 10/23 - 10/27. Contributing to the non-compliance was repairs being performed on the extended aeration basin and chlorine contact chambers.
Summary of Sanitary Spills/Overflows:
| Month |
Location |
Volume |
| 07/06/11 |
1721 Berwick Drive (Bridge Creek) |
2,000 Gallons |
| 07/13/11 |
Manhole at 125 McGirts Bridge Road |
20,000 Gallons |
| 08/22/11 |
Leith Creek WWTP |
8,000 Gallons (On site at plant) |
| 08/26/11 |
Leith Creek WWTP |
1,200 Gallons (On site at plant) |
| 09/26/11 |
1721 Berwick Drive (Bridge Creek) |
2,500 Gallons |
Sanitary sewer overflow events in which volumes exceeding 1,000 gallons overflowed and reach surface waters are included in the monthly estimates and are shown separately as follows:
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Date
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Location
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Gallons
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Description
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Corrective Measures
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| 07/06/11
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1721 Berwick Drive
Bridge Creek
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2,000 |
Excessive Rainfall
(2.2 inches in 1 Hr.)
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All equipment working properly
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| 07/13/11 |
Manhole
125 McGirts Bridge Road
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20,000 |
Paper & Grease |
All equipment working properly
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| 08/22/11 |
Leith Creek WWTP |
8,000 |
Excessive Rainfall
(3.5 inches in 5 Hrs.)
|
All equipment working properly
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| 08/26/11 |
Leith Creek WWTP |
1,200 |
Excessive Rainfall
(3.9 inches in 4 Hrs.)
|
All equipment working properly
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9/26/11
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1721 Berwick Drive
Bridge Creek
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2,500
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Excessive Rainfall
(3.9 inches in 4 hrs.)
|
All equipment working properly
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*Note the overflows listed resulted in no environmental impact.
Notification
This Annual Performance Report will appear on the City of Laurinburg’s web site www.laurinburg.org and a statement on our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) will inform citizens that the Annual Report is available via internet or upon request.
Certification
I certify under penalty of law that this report is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further certify that this report has been made available to the users or customers of the named system and that those users have been notified of its availability.
Robert A. Ellis
Treatment Plants Director
City of Laurinburg
January 24, 2012