HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-06 IDEQ Rock Creek Lift station response Cover Letter - February 13, 2024 650 Addison Avenue West,Suite 110 Brad Little, Governor
Twin Falls, ID 83301 • (208) 737-2190 Jess Byrne, Director
March 6, 2024
Nathan Erickson, Environmental Engineer
Twin Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant
PO Box 1907
Twin Falls, ID 83301
nerickson@tfid.org
Subject: Sanitary Sewer Overflow Inspection for City of Twin Falls WWTP, Idaho Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Permit ID0021270
Dear Mr. Erickson:
On February 13, 2024,the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ) conducted a sanitary
sewer overflow(SSO) inspection near the Rock Creek Lift Station.The purpose of this inspection was to
investigate the SSO and determine compliance with the Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(IPDES) Permit ID0021270 and the "Rules Regulating the Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Program" (IDAPA 58.01.25). DEQ appreciates the assistance you and Mr. Freeman provided during the
inspection. A copy of the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Overflow Inspection Report is attached. Please note that
corrective action is necessary to comply with regulatory requirements.
At the time of the inspection,the following violations were identified:
1. SSO Discharge to WOTUS
Part LA of the Permit states: "During the effective period of this permit, the permittee is
authorized to discharge pollutants from the outfall specified herein to the Snake River..."
It is a violation of the Permit that a sanitary sewer overflow discharged approximately
12,000 gallons of untreated wastewater to Rock Creek from February 9, 2024,to February
13, 2024.
2. Improper Operation and Maintenance of Rock Creek Lift Station
Part IV.E of the Permit states: "The permittee must at all times properly operate and
maintain all facilities and systems of treatment and control(and related appurtenances)
which are installed or used by the permittee to achieve compliance with the conditions of
this permit... This provision requires the operation of back-up or auxiliary facilities or similar
systems, which are installed by the permittee only when the operation is necessary to
achieve compliance with the conditions of the permit."
It is a violation of the Permit that the following were not properly operated and
maintained:
• Call-out alarm system
• Comminutor
• Collection system line to the west of Rock Creek Lift Station
The forementioned violations from this event are being reviewed at the DEQ State Office for potential
follow-up action.Thank you for your help with the inspection process. DEQ encourages you to continue
your compliance efforts. Responsibility for compliance with the IPDES Permit rests with the permittee.
If you have any questions about the inspection, I may be reached at (208) 737-3862 or
brandi.lowe@deq.idaho.gov.
Sincerely,
Brandi Lowe
IPDES Compliance Officer
Attachment: 2024 Sanitary Sewer Overflow Inspection
c: Troy Smith, Wastewater Compliance Bureau Chief, DEQ State Office
Dr. Arnie Parris, Regional IPDES Supervisor, DEQ Twin Falls Regional Office
Sean Woodhead, Surface Water Manager, DEQTwin Falls Regional Office
Dan Black, Project Manager,Jacobs, dan.black@jacobs.com
March 2024 Page 2 of 2