Created in 2008, the Authority continues to dramatically reduce sewer system failures
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Mike McGill
mike.mcgill@cfpua.org
(910) 622-8472
To speak with Jim Flechtner on 7/31 or 8/1, the first, best contact is Karen Durso, (910) 332-6542, Karen.durso@cfpua.org
Wilmington, NC (July 31, 2014): The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) is pleased to announce that, in its last five years of operation, it has cut the number of Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) by 45% and the volume of the sewage spilled in those incidents by 76% when compared to the five years before CFPUA was founded in 2008. During the period prior to CFPUA’s creation - January 2003 to June 2008 - 166 SSOs occurred spilling more than 11.33 million gallons of wastewater into the environment. During the last fiscal five years of CFPUA’s operations - July 2009 to June 2014 – the Authority’s oversight of the sewer system has cut the number of sewer spills to 92 SSOs and the total amount spilled to 2.71 million gallons, a drop in the number of overflows by 45% and the amount spilled by 76%. (Data files are attached; they mirrors the data reported to state regulators.)
CFPUA was created in 2008 to address significant issues with the area’s sewer systems. Today, CFPUA manages approximately 1,000 miles of sewer mains, nearly 150 pump stations and two wastewater treatment plants that process more than 5.5 billion gallons of wastewater every year.
“When we were formed, one of our main tasks was to improve the weakening sewer systems. Through hard work by dedicated staff and a forward-thinking board, we have achieved a high level of success,” said Jim Flechtner, CFPUA Executive Director. “When you maintain one thousand miles of mains and a large number of pump stations, SSOs are always going to be a potential problem. However, these numbers should give residents and businesses in Wilmington and New Hanover County confidence that they have a more reliable sewer system and their environment is being protected.”
“The Authority was created to fulfill a vital need with our sewer systems and to do it fast,” said Pat Kusek, CFPUA Chair. “While we’re not done yet, these numbers clearly show that CFPUA has made tremendous progress in delivering upon the charge it was given – to dramatically improve our sewer system.”
As a result of sewer system failures that occurred before CFPUA was created, the Authority joined in a comprehensive Consent Decree agreement with the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in an effort to continue minimizing, reducing and eliminating sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). The agreement resolves claims by the USEPA regarding overflows in the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County’s systems.
Under the Consent Decree, CFPUA is required to complete more than $40 million of specific capital improvement projects, institute reporting requirements and pay specified penalties for future SSOs. To date, CFPUA has voluntarily completed more than $27 million in projects in keeping with its Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) program, which was implemented after the transfer of the City and County systems to CFPUA in July of 2008. The CMOM program, which includes a defined reporting structure, is a leading factor in reducing the sewer overflows by 45% and volume spilled by 76%. CFPUA’s first semi-annual report to the EPA under the Consent Decree is in its final stages of completion.
“In order to solve these sewer problems, we developed and implemented an aggressive approach to tackling our aging sewer infrastructure,” said Flechtner. “Much of the work outlined in the Consent Decree had already been completed, which is why we are showing such compelling signs of success.”
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Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) was formed by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County to combine their water and sewer operations. It began operations on July 1, 2008. Today, the Authority serves more than 67,000 water customer accounts and more than 65,000 wastewater customer accounts. It oversees more than 1,000 miles of water distribution mains and nearly 1,000 miles of sewer mains. For more information, visit www.cfpua.org or contact CFPUA’s Communications staff at communications@cfpua.org.