Town of Morehead City
Utilities Department

2007 Sewage Collection and Wastewater Treatment Report

On July 21, 1999, North Carolina Governor James Hunt signed a law that placed new reporting requirements on the owners or operators of wastewater treatment and wastewater collection facilities in North Carolina. Part of this new legislation is a requirement to provide the users or customers of the system with an annual report of the past year’s performance including a summary of wastewater spills.

The purpose of these reports is to provide an understandable and informative description of the wastewater treatment facility and collection system, describe the regulations with which these facilities must comply, and promote a general awareness of these facilities and their role in protecting the environment.

INTRODUCTION

The Town of Morehead City operates one Wastewater Treatment Plant and sewage Collection System that collects and transports the sewage to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The names and permit information for these facilities are listed below as well as those professionals designated by the State of North Carolina as Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC).

Morehead City Wastewater Treatment Plant
1000 Treatment Plant Road
Morehead City, NC
Phone (252) 726-6237
NDPES Permit # - NC0026611
Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) – Carl Dangerfield

Sewage Collection System
2506 Ferabee Street
Morehead City, NC
Phone (252) 727-7171
Collection System Permit # - WQCS00100
Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) – David Griffin

This report is being provided to meet the requirements of North Carolina Law (HB 1160). Copies will be available at the Municipal office building (Town Hall) at 706 Arendell Street and will be published on the Town of Morehead City website www.moreheadcity.nc.gov .

Customers will also be notified of the availability of this report by ads in the Carteret County News Times.

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The Town of Morehead City operates 1.7 million gallons per day (MGD) Wastewater Treatment Plant, which consists of primary clarifiers, trickling filters, secondary clarifiers and chlorination.  The Town also maintains approximately 75 miles of sewer lines throughout the Town.

We are pleased to report that the new 2.5 MGD Reuse Quality Wastewater Treatment Plant is approximately 60% complete and is on course to be complete and in operation before the end of the year.  This Wastewater Treatment Plant will be using advanced treatment techniques and will produce an effluent with superior characteristics.

The Town exceeded the permitted monthly average Effluent Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in April and May.  The permit limit for Effluent BOD is 20 mg/l.  In April the Effluent BOD averaged 22.3 mg/l and in May the average Effluent BOD was 21.0 mg/l.

The Town also exceeded the permitted monthly Most Probable Number (MPN) for Effluent Enterococci in September.  The permit limit for Effluent Enterococci is 35.0 MPN.  In September the Effluent Enterococci was 37.1 MPN.

The Town of Morehead City had the following spills or overflows from the sewer collection system or at the Wastewater Treatment Plant during 2007:

02/02/2007           Arendell and Neuse Ave.                    Pump Station Equipment Failure     200,000 gallons
08/23/2007           N. 22nd Street and Calico Creek        Blockage Caused by Grease              6,000 gallons
09/10/2007           N. 22nd Street and Calico Creek        Inflow/Infiltration/Rain                        1,000 gallons
11/08/2007           Arendell and Savannah Avenue           Blockage Caused by Grease              1,000 gallons  

Most sewer main blockages and resulting overflows of raw sewage are a result of grease being discharged into the Towns sewer collection system.  The Town continues to monitor and inspect restaurants that are required to have grease traps, as well as encouraging customers to dispose of grease with their household solid waste and not down the drain.

The Town treated approximately 475,000,000 gallons of wastewater in 2007 at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Customers can assist the Town by:

• Making sure rain gutters are not tied into the sewer collection system.
• Contacting the Town when sewer piping is broken and allowing rainwater into the sewer collection system.
• Disposing of grease and oil from cooking with their household solid waste and not pouring it down the drain.

I certify under penalty of law that this report is complete and accurate to the best of by knowledge.  I further certify that this report has been made available to the users or customers of the Town of Morehead City and that those customers have been notified of its availability.

R. Randy Martin
Morehead City Manager