Just convicted of multiple violations of the federal Clean Water Act, Ray Caldwell now faces a $11,000 fine from the city of Longview for discharging bacteria-laden sludge into a stormwater ditch that leads into the Columbia River.

City stormwater manager Josh Johnson said he didnt know for sure where the sludge containing fecal coliform bacteria was coming from.

Its most likely a problem with their operation or their piping, Johnson said Wednesday.

The city served Caldwell, the owner of All Out Sewer and Drain, with a notice and order of violation Monday.

He was very accommodating. He immediately directed his staff to begin cleaning the lines like Id asked him to, Johnson said.

Under city code, its illegal to discharge anything into the storm drain system other than stormwater. During a city inspection last year, All-Out co-owner Randy Dingus told city staff that employees rinse the inside and outside of septic pumper trucks in the business wash area, which has a storm drain connected to the ditch.

The $11,000 fine may be the least of Caldwells worries, given his legal troubles. On Dec. 16, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle found Caldwell guilty of 25 felony counts of violating the federal Clean Water Act, six counts of mail fraud and two counts of making false statements. He will be sentenced March 10 and faces big fines and prison time. He was accused of pumping septic waste from his collection trucks into the city sewer system to avoid disposal fees and vastly underreporting the amount of septage he collected from customers.

Caldwell did not return a call for comment Wednesday about the citys fine.

Caldwell was chairman of the citys Stormwater Advisory Committee until resigning last April after the city fined him $500 for allegedly pumping liquids from a basement sump pump into a stormwater drain. Caldwell was on the committee when the city created its stormwater pollution laws.

According to the notice the city issued to Caldwell this week, so much material had accumulated at the companys stormwater outfall last October that the discharge had to flow under a cake of dried sludge before reaching the water in the ditch. City employees observed a chocolate-colored, bubbly, thick soup or pudding-like material that covered a 100-square-foot area around All-Outs outfall. Also, the grass near the outfall was stained with a dried, black substance up to a foot above the water line.

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All-Out Sewer owner facing $11,000 fine from city

The Washington County Commissioners Court will continue to work towards improving the sewer situation for a handful of families in Precinct One, as it opens proposals for engineering and program management services.

The proposals will help decide which group spearheads a $277,250 project in the county that will provide improved plumbing to an area with roughly 30 households; currently, the area uses septic tanks. The project is to be completed by Jan. 10, 2016.

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County to work on Precinct 1 sewer situation

Published: Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 6:07 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 6:07 p.m.

Partnering together, New Hanover County and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority have started work on the heavily debated $16.7 million sewer projects in two county neighborhoods.

Officials with the county and the authority submitted engineering plans to the state in early December for the new sewer systems in Marquis Hills and Heritage Park, as well as plans to extend CFPUA's water system to Heritage Park.

CFPUA spokesman Mike McGill said construction on the two projects will likely begin in July.

The Marquis Hills and Heritage Park subdivisions ranked first and second, respectively, on the authority's 2007 list of high-priority areas with failing septic tanks in the county. Heritage Park is in the northern part of the county near North 23rd Street and Castle Hayne Road, and Marquis Hills is in the southern part of the county near Carolina Beach and Sanders roads.

The project will remove the septic tanks in the Marquis Hills and Heritage Park communities and hook the nearly 1,000 properties into the authority's system.

The current system has contaminated the land and surface water in the area. Some of the homes are designed for washing machine discharge to be piped directly onto surrounding properties, and some have even been rendered uninhabitable because they do not have a viable system of waste disposal.

After rejecting the proposal February and months of heated debate, the New Hanover County commissioners reversed course in May and unanimously approved a plan to fund the sewer projects.

This delayed decision came just in time to let the county meet its deadlines to keep the 20-year Clean Water State Revolving Loan that will pay for the projects up front.

New Hanover was approved in late 2012 for a $17 million state loan to help replace these septic systems. To remain eligible for the loan, the project must adhere to a time schedule set by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

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New Hanover County, CFPUA start work on sewer projects

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Spartan Sewer Septic Tank

Prince William News

Gainesville Times

*Adapted from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Hazardous Valuable Resources Used oil is a complex organic substance that consists of heavy metals and hydrocarbons like benzene. Antifreeze contains the toxic ingredient ethylene glycol or propylene glycol and used antifreeze may contain harmful heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium. Auto batteries contain harmful lead. All are health and environmental hazards. When dispose of properly, used motor oil, oil filters and antifreeze and automotive batteries can be recycled or "beneficially used." Oil doesn't wear out; it just gets dirty. Used oil can be cleaned, re-refined and used again and again.Used oil may be blended and recycled as a heating or industrial fuel and also may be re-refined and made into new lubricants. Likewise, up to 97% of a vehicle battery, also known as a lead acid battery is recyclable. The batterys materials can be used to make new batteries or other products. Auto batteries are crushed into nickel-sized pieces and plastic components and lead are separated. The plastic is reprocessed for manufacture into new plastic products and the purified lead is used by battery manufacturers and other industries. Even the used acid is recycled for reuse. A typical lead-acid battery contains 60 to 80 percent recycled lead and plastic. Importantly, recycling these items saves precious resources, for example recycling antifreeze reduces the consumption of nonrenewable resources like oil and natural gas used to manufacture ethylene and propylene glycol.

Next time you change your own oil, or replace your battery, help prevent pollution and conserve energy and valuable resources by dropping off the used items at a collection center to be recycled.

For more information on recycling or proper disposal of hazardous materials visit http://www.pwcgov.org/trashandrecycling or call the Solid Waste Division at 703-792-4670.

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Hazardous resources should be recycled properly

Since 1992 A-Affordable Sanitation Inc. has provided Septic Tank, Sewer and Drain Cleaning to the Tri-County Area. We stand by our 1 Hour Drain Service, we will show up to fix the problems within 1 hour 7 days a week / 24 hours a day. A family owned and operated company, A-Affordable Sanitation offers free estimates and a no charge guarantee.

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A-Affordable Sanitation is a privately owned and operated company that has been serving the tri-county since 1992. During that time, we have established ourselves as the leader in the septic business by providing award winning service along with removal, transportation, installation, and repairs. Our fleet ranges from vacuum trucks and excavators to back hoes and service trucks. With our wide range of equipment and services there is no job to big or too small. That is why we are #1 in the #2 business.

Contact A-Affordable Sanitation Inc. today at 724-872-0822, or browse the website for more information about our products and services.

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A-Affordable Sanitation - Septic, Sewer and Drain Cleaning ...

Basic Job Description:

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

1) Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.

2) Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.

3) Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.

4) Cover repaired pipes with dirt, and pack backfilled excavations, using air and gasoline tampers.

5) Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.

6) Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.

7) Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.

8) Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.

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Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner Job Description ...

CARLISLE Sewage no longer fouls Lake Carnico in Nicholas County, thanks to an environmentally friendly project that naturally treats wastewater from nearby households.

But it took 22 years, persistence and patience for local officials to piece together funding, and to have the treatment system designed and built for a total cost of more than $2.7 million, said Denny Gallagher, chairman of the sanitation district that oversees the system's maintenance.

"When I set out to do something, I like it to be done," Gallagher said.

Lake Carnico is a jewel in Nicholas County, a rural county of 26,000 people about an hour north of Lexington. Finished in 1962, the 114-acre reservoir was created by damming several unnamed tributaries to Brushy Fork Creek. Its largemouth bass, flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie attract fishermen from around the region.

Initially people erected weekend fishing cabins around the lake, but as time went on, some 103 single-family houses were built near its five miles of shoreline. Home prices around the lake range from $175,000 to $230,000 or more in a county where the average price for a house is closer to $110,000 to $125,000, said county Property Valuation Administrator Michelle Knapke McDonald. When they're for sale, houses around the lake tend to spend less time on the market than those elsewhere in the county.

For years, homes around the lake were served by aging, failing septic systems or by holding tanks that could be pumped out periodically to dispose the sewage elsewhere.

Trouble was, untreated sewage was finding its way into the lake, and something had to be done to stop it.

"It wasn't polluted, but it wasn't crystal clear, either," Gallagher said of the lake.

Hooking on to Carlisle's sewer system would have been prohibitively expensive. So Nicholas County Sanitation District No. 2 found an alternative: rather than send the sewage to the city, it is treated on site.

That is done with something called a "recirculating gravel filter," said Joe Pavoni, an engineer with GRW, a consulting engineering firm in Louisville.

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On-site treatment system keeps sewage out of Nicholas County's Lake Carnico

Flood Safety Tips

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) urges people to learn the dangers of driving into flooded roadways because drivers often underestimate the power of floodwater. Roads weaken under floodwater and drivers should proceed cautiously after waters have receded, since the road may collapse under the weight of the vehicle.

Twelve inches of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles, including pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles. Water across a road may hide a missing segment of roadbed or a missing bridge. Because disaster can strike at any time, ADEM encourages everyone to have a disaster supply kit in their home and vehicle.

When theres water on the road:Turn Around, Dont Drown. Saving your life is as simple as choosing an alternate route. If you are driving and your vehicle stalls in flood water, the best advice is to get out quickly and move to higher ground.

Flood: Know Your Terms Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a flood hazard:

Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information. Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately. Before a Flood To prepare for a flood, you should:

Avoid building in a flood prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home. Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding. Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home. Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the homes in your area. Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

During a Flood If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

Listen to the radio or television for information. Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move. Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain. If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following: Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor. Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips: Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

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Flooding Safety Tips: Turn Around, Don't Drown

Drain flies (aka moth flies or sewer flies) are a common but relatively harmless pest. Even new homes can have them if the house is hooked up to old pipes.

Adult flies (about the size of the tip of a pencil eraser) usually show up in bathrooms and kitchens emerging from drains. Drain flies make masses of from 30 to 100 eggs, which hatch within two hours of being laid. The larvae live in the thin film of slime that lines your pipes. They feed on the sediment that collects there.

The maggots grow for nine to 15 days, pupate for a day and a half and emerge as adults and start the cycle all over again. You've probably never seen any of the young maggots. The adults, however, are most often observed on the walls of basements, bathrooms, kitchens or other sites where sewer drains and plumbing fixtures are found. They are quite poor fliers and most often hang around drains or other areas where they can have good access. The young live in drain traps, pipes, garbage disposals, toilet tanks, or in wet areas around septic tanks, leaking pipes or sewer lines -- even in wet mops.

Fortunately, despite their preferred choice of residence, the moth fly doesn't pose any particular risk for disease transmission. They don't bite. They're just a general nuisance. However, they may be an indicator of septic or sewer problems that needs to be corrected.

To check for possible breeding sites, you'll need to make an X across each drain with masking tape. You can also use an inverted clear plastic cup sprayed with cooking oil set above the drain. Make certain that you don't completely cover the opening. If you do, there will be no air flow and the flies won't try to emerge. Check the traps periodically. If you find adult flies stuck to the tape or inside of the cup, it's probably the source of your infestation or, at least, one of the sources.

The only way to rid yourself of drain flies is to completely eliminate their food, and that means thoroughly cleaning the drain lines and plumbing fixtures where they might live and breed. Pouring bleach or boiling water down a drain may help to knock down the numbers of immatures. An enzyme or bacterial based drain cleaner can be used to eliminate the gelatinous layer.

The adults can be killed by almost any household insecticide or a good flyswatter (they tend to "puff" when swatted). However, to significantly reduce their numbers for any significant period of time will require your hiring a professional plumber to clean out your pipes.

Tim Lockley, a specialist in entomology, is retired from a 30-year career as a research scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For answers to individual questions, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Tim Lockley, c/o Sun Herald, P.O. Box 4567, Biloxi, MS 39535.

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Drain flies find slimy pipes ideal neighborhood