Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO)

The City of Fairmont Utility operates a wastewater collection system consisting of more than  170 miles of sewer pipe, more than 2000 manholes, and thirty-six sewage lift-stations. These lift-station’s pump through more than six miles of force main to gravity lines where all waste water is collected at an average 6 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) WWTP. The WWTP has an average flow of six MGD.

This collection system conveys wastewater to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (POTW) from areas of The City of Fairmont, The Town of Barrackville, The Town of Monongah, Kingmill Valley PSD, Greater Paw Paw PSD, Colfax and Whitehall PSD.


Why We Have CSOs

Prior to 1983, when the City of Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant was put in service, the combined sewer system discharged raw waste at various points along local watersheds. 

Ironically, CSOs were first installed to discharge excess flow from rain events as a means to improve public health by keeping sewers from backing up into homes, businesses, streets, lift-stations, and or exceed the treatment plant capacity. 

Today, CSOs from combined sewer systems are considered pollution sources and communities are required by the Clean Water Act to develop plans to reduce CSO discharges.

Monitoring of CSOs

The City of Fairmont inspects its 33 CSOs at least once per month and after each rainfall event. If a dry weather overflow is found, regulatory agencies are notified. The most common reason of an overflow event is from a sewer line blockage. 

Inspection reports are logged for each inspection. The logbook is available for the public to review at the Customer Service Center located at 109 Merchant St. Fairmont W.V. 26554.

The City of Fairmont Program

The City of Fairmont implements The Nine Minimum Controls outlined by The United States Environmental Protection Agency. The nine minimum controls are:

  1. Proper Operation and Maintenance Program
  2. Maximization of Storage in the Collection System
  3. Review and Modification of Pretreatment Requirements
  4. Maximization of Flow to the Wastewater Treatment Plant
  5. Elimination of Dry Weather Overflows
  6. Control of Solids and Floatable Materials
  7. Pollution Prevention
  8. Public Notification
  9. Monitoring to Characterize CSO Impacts

The Nine minimum controls are considered a set of good housekeeping practices aimed at minimizing the frequency of CSO discharges at minimal cost.

The City of Fairmont has also submitted a Phase 1 Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Agency. The plan has been approved by the WVDEP. The LTCP goes beyond the nine minimum controls and consists of costly improvements to the wastewater collection system.

Public Notice of CSOs

Warning signs have been placed at and around CSO outfall locations. The signs indicate that a CSO overflow is nearby and the waters may be polluted during and immediately following rain events. The CSOs should only discharge during wet weather events.

PublicNotice

Don't flush wet wipes!

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For information about the detriments of flushing wet wipes in our wastewater system, click here to download our informational flyer.