Category Archives: Wastewater

Construction, Repairs and Spills, Wastewater

Downed Tree Causes Large Wastewater Spill on Long Creek

March 15, 2022 – Charlotte Water crews responded to a broken 30-inch wastewater pipe. A fallen tree eroded the creek bank causing the 30-inch wastewater pipe to collapse. An estimated 484,075 gallons reached Long Creek. Crews quickly set up a barrier to contain the spill and temporary above-ground pipes to pump the community’s wastewater around the broken pipe.

Broken pipe section displaced approximately 100 feet downstream
Crews quickly created a barrier to contain the broken pipe and stop the spilling.
Crews then worked on temporary above-ground pipes to pump around the broken pipe (file photo from a previous repair).
The tree in the photo fell eroding the creek bank and undermining the wastewater pipe until it collapsed.

This spill does not affect drinking water.

How You Can Help

This spill was caused by weather and creek bank erosion but most spills are caused by blockages. You can help reduce blockages and spills.

  • Toss in the trash: paper towels, wipes, hair, cotton swabs, feminine products, dental floss, coffee grounds, and excess food.
  • Toss in the toilet: only toilet paper.
  • Kitchen sink: soap suds, small amounts of foods from plate, and liquids (no fats, oils, or grease).
  • Take to a full-service recycling center: used and expired oils and grease.

Suspect A Sewage Spill? Call 311 or 704-336-7600.

Charlotte Water rapid response crews operate 24 hours-a-day.

Charlotte Water crews maintain more than 4,475 miles of wastewater pipe. Charges from monthly water bills fund preventative maintenance, emergency response, and the safe daily delivery of more than 91 million gallons of wastewater to treatment plants, where wastewater is treated to high water quality standards.

My Water, Wastewater

Annual Wastewater Report Released

Did you know that there is an annual report for wastewater? If you answered “no” then here is all you need to know about the people who make sure your flush doesn’t become a mess.

When you flush, shower, or wash dishes, the wastewater flows from your plumbing to our public wastewater network of pipes. The wastewater then flows by gravity to one of our wastewater treatment plants so that it can be treated and safely discharged back into the creeks.

WasteWaterTreatment_Infographic

So how did we do?

Even as the population grows, Charlotte Water continues to reduce the number of wastewater spills.

Yearly SSOs vs 5 Year Moving Average

Charlotte Water successfully collected and treated 99.9 percent of the more than 33 billion gallons of wastewater that the community produced in the past fiscal year. Charlotte Water’s annual report includes all incidents where wastewater escaped out of a public manhole or public collection system pipe before reaching proper treatment and reportable spills, which are any spills that equal or exceed 1,000 gallons or more reaching creeks.

Fiscal year 2018 2019
All spills 164 162
Reportable spills 107 90

How To Help:

Toss in the trash: paper towels, wipes, hair, cotton swabs, feminine products, dental floss, coffee grounds, and excess food.

Toss in the toilet: only toilet paper.

Kitchen sink: soap suds, small amounts of foods from plate, and liquids (no fats, oils, or grease).

Take to a full-service recycling center: used and expired oils and grease.

Suspect A Sewage Spill?
Call 311 or 704-336-7600. We respond 24 hours-a-day.

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Links To Learn More:

Wastewater report

Videos about our excellent water professionals.

My Water, Wastewater

Celebrating Environmental Excellence

Charlotte Water regulates the discharge of pollutants that enter into our municipal sewer system. We monitor 58 industrial partners who are required to obtain wastewater permits which contain limits based on the pollutants discharged from the facility.

On Tuesday June 18th, 2018 Charlotte Water honored the facilities that complied with their permits and those who have taken proactive and innovative approaches to protect the quality of our water in 2017. Charlotte Water is committed to protecting the environment, and so are the industries in our community.

There are 3 tiers of which a facility can be honored for environmental excellence. Silver is given to companies that are 100% compliant for reporting and monitoring; at least 90% compliant for permit limits for one calendar year. No slug loading during the 2015 calendar year. No Significant non-compliance (SNC) for 2 calendar years and the industry must have discharged to the sewer system at some time during the year.

The second tier is Gold. Gold is given to those who are 100% compliant for reporting, monitoring, and permit limits for 1 calendar year. No slug loading during the 2015 calendar year. No SNC for 2 calendar years and industry must have discharged to the sewer system at some time during the year.

The final tier is Platinum. To receive platinum you must have 5 consecutive years of 100% compliance for reporting, monitoring, and permit limits. No slug loading and no SNC. The industry must also have discharged to the sewer system at some point during the year.

PlatinumAwardWinners2

We are extremely proud of all the recipients, but we would like to highlight the platinum winners.

  • American Circuts, Inc. – 5th consecutive year
  • Ingersoll Rand, Customer Solutions Center- 2nd consecutive year
  • Mecklenburg County 521 Foxhole Landfill – 7th consecutive year
  • Norfolk Southern Railway, Charlotte Roadway Shop – 2nd consecutive year

Thank you to all of our industrial partners as we work together to protect the Charlotte environment.