Friday, February 14, 2025

CFPUA reports reductions in sewer spills

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is reporting that the number and amount of sewer spills in its service area have decreased significantly since its inception in 2008.

CFPUA logoA release issued last week notes the number of spills decreased 45 percent over the last five years, while the volume of those spills has decreased 76 percent compared to the five years before the authority was formed.

During that period, from January 2003 to June 2008, 166 spills occurred, resulting in more than 11.33 million gallons of sewage spilled into the environment, according to the release. Over the last five fiscal years, from July 2009 to June 2014, the authority reports it has cut the number of sewer spills to 92 and the total amount spilled to 2.71 million gallons.

The release quotes Executive Director Jim Flechtner, who said the authority’s mission from the outset was to improve its service area’s weakening sewer systems.

“Through hard work by dedicated staff and a forward-thinking board, we have achieved a high level of success,” Flechtner said in the release.

“When you maintain 1,000 miles of mains and a large number of pump stations, SSOs [sanitary sewer overflows] 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,” he said.

Past story: Sewer spills a common occurrence; goal is to ‘minimize,’ CEO says

The 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.

As a result of sewer system failures that occurred before CFPUA was created, the authority joined in a consent decree agreement with the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an effort to minimize and reduce sewer spills.

Under that agreement, the authority states it is required to complete more than $40 million of specific capital improvement projects, institute reporting requirements and pay specified penalties for future spills. To date, the authority reports it has voluntarily completed more than $27 million in projects in keeping with its management program.

“In order to solve these sewer problems, we developed and implemented an aggressive approach to tackling our aging sewer infrastructure,” Flechtner said in the release. “Much of the work outlined in the consent decree had already been completed, which is why we are showing such compelling signs of success.”

Added Pat Kusek, chairwoman of the CFPUA: “The authority was created to fulfill a vital need with our sewer systems and to do it fast. 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.”

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