News Center Home
The original item was published from 12/14/2017 1:01:00 PM to 2/1/2018 12:00:08 AM.

News Center

NewsFlash

Posted on: October 6, 2017

[ARCHIVED] CFPUA’s Focus on Continuous Improvement Results in Significant Gains

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s focus on continuous improvement protects public health, the environment, and water quality. Recent results show Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) demonstrated significant gains in reducing Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs).

Over the course of the last five years of operation, CFPUA has cut the number of state-reportable SSOs by 56%. The decrease in the volume of the wastewater spilled was 94%. These results are compared to the five-year period before CFPUA’s founding in 2008. Wastewater collection improvements, preventative maintenance, and quick responses by staff account for this advance. A reduction in SSOs indicates that systems are properly operating. Improvements are continuing to be effective in protecting regional waterways that enhance our quality of life in New Hanover County.

During the five-year period before CFPUA’s creation - June 2003 to June 2008 - 156 SSOs occurred, spilling more than 11.24 million gallons of wastewater into the environment. From July 2012 to June 2017, CFPUA’s investment in the sewer system cut the number of sewer spills to 68 and the total amount spilled to 687,496 gallons.

“The significant reduction in SSOs is the result of investments in our systems to improve reliability and address aging infrastructure.” said Jim Flechtner Executive Director. “CFPUA staff have done an excellent job of rehabilitating and operating our wastewater system, and responding to events when they do occur.”

Through focused efforts, CFPUA conducts programs and studies critical to public health, our local environment, and the area’s economic development.

CHART: Comparison of NC State Reportable SSOs from the most recent 5 years compared to the last 5-years prior to the formation of CFPUA.
5- Year Stats for CFPUA (Current)
5-Year Stats Prior to CFPUA
Fiscal Year
Number of SSOs
Gallons
Fiscal Year
Number of SSOs
Gallons
FY 12/13
14
118,593
FY 03/04
22
38,455
FY 13/14
11
457,989
FY 04/05
22
455,320
FY14/15
12
37,897
FY 05/06
44
4,038,670
FY 15/16
16
66,497
FY 06/07
39
6,662,400
FY 16/17
15
6,520
FY 07/08
29
46,150
Totals
68
 687,496
Totals
156
 11,240,995

Facebook Twitter Email