I was disturbed this a.m. when I crossed the bridge on Short Tail Springs road over Wolftever Creek and spotted a 2" galvanized pipe running from the new sewer line to a massive pump, hidden on the banks of Wolftever Creek.
The discharge from the pump was directed into the water. I may be jumping to conclusions, however, I clearly remember the overflows from the station in front of the golf course on Snow Hill being dumped into Rogers Creek.
The upper reaches of Wolftever Creek are pretty clean. People boat, fish and swim in these waters. Even a small amount of raw sewage will harm the water. We cannot allow raw sewage of any amount at any time to be dumped into the creek from this pipe, or any other source.
I have contacted some government officials and requested them to give me an answer, in writing, ASAP, regarding this matter...
Ernie McCarson
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Mr. McCarson,
Wastewater is not being pumped into Wolftever Creek as your post might lead someone to believe. The pumping system you describe is doing exactly the opposite.
Prior to putting a new line into operation, the line is tested with uncontaminated water to ensure it is assembled properly before it is used for wastewater service. Water is pumped into the line up to a certain pressure. The line has to maintain that pressure for a specific amount of time to ensure that there are no leaks. The discharge line that you described in your post is actually the suction line of the pump. The galvanized line is the discharge of the pump into the new line that is being tested.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Michael Patrick P.E.
Executive Director
Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority