CFE agenda 091415 - Laserfiche WebLink

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When a sewer is damaged, the flow in a sewer is blocked or if the flow in a sewer exceeds pipe capacity, the result is an overflow of untreated wastewater. What can block a sewer pipe and cause an overflow? • Accumulations of fat, oil and grease. Fat and grease should be disposed of with refuse taken to a landfill, and used cooking oil should be recycled; • Tree and shrub roots, which can enter a crack in a pipe then grow inside a sewer; and • Trash or debris such as clothing and towels. • We inspect sewers to find blockages, damage, cracks and leaks. In 2014 -15 we cleaned about 86 miles of sewers, or one - fourth of the system; and inspected about 11 miles of sewers. • We test for leaks, cracks and unauthorized connections to our sewers by putting non -toxic smoke into the pipes to see where smoke comes out. • We clean sewers to remove blockages by fat, grease, roots, etc. • We fix cracks in sewers to keep out rainwater and groundwater. • We mow and clear our "easements" to help keep tree and shrub roots from growing into and blocking sewers, and to maintain safe, timely access. A sewer easement is an area where we can install and improve sewer lines; inspect, maintain and repair them; and keep clear access. • To ensure adequate capacity, structural integrity and reli- able operation, we spent about $1.7 million to rehabilitate or replace more than 2.7 miles of sewers and manholes in FY 2014 -15 Proper disposal i grease Please dispose of household fat and grease with trash that goes to a landfill and recycle cooking oil at the: Orange County Household Hazardous Waste Program, 1514 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 919.932.2989 Restaurants and related businesses are required to install grease traps and to have them pumped out on a regular basis. Keeping r s debris out of sewers Our sanitary sewer system is not designed to handle trash and debris, which can cause blockages and overflows. For example, baby wipes and other hygienic wipes, even those called "flushable," should not be flushed. Reporting s a r overflows and odor If you notice an overflow from OWASA sewer or a private sewer service line, please contact us immediately at 919.968.4421 at any time so that we can stop the overflow from our sewer, or contact the property owner if a private pipe is leaking.