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    Complaint

    29106
    WPC
    5/23/2013
    Email
    Sewage Bypass / Overflow
    5/23/2013
    06-JUN-2013 10:40AM

    Location based on SITE_ID

    Site ID
    5217
    Site
    Cartwright Creek - Grasslands STP
    Location
    River Rest Subdivision
    City
    Franklin
    Description
    Treatment of domestic sewage
    County
    Williamson
    EFO Name
    Nashville
    Site Owner
    Cartwright Creek Utility Co. STP

    Investigation Results

    Closed
    Cartwright Creek - Grasslands STP
    6/5/2013
    Yes

    Complaint Description and Writeup

    Complaint: We live in River Rest subdivision at 1011 Boxwood Drive, Franklin, TN. Cartwright Creek (our sewer provider) services our neighborhood. Our property has a storm drain with an easement and a drainage ditch adjacent to our backyard.
    In November 2012 we notice a foul odor from the storm drain at our mailbox. The smell has continued over the months and became noticeably stronger after each rain shower. On Monday, May 20, 2013 we attempted to enjoy our patio, but were overwhelmed by the stench of human waster odor. Our backyard smelled like raw sewage. We called River Rest Homeowners Assoc., Cartwright Creek, Harpeth Watershed, and the City of Franklin Water and left voice messages.
    The following day Cartwright Creek came to the drainage ditch to inquire about the call and assessed the stench from the drain. After surveying the street manholes, they discovered an overflow and leakage of human wastes into the drainage system. To our knowledge this pollution of human fecal matter entered the storm drain pipes, exited to the drainage, and then to the Harpeth River for over 7 months.
    With the recent flood our entire back common ground area was covered with this raw sewage polluting everything. We believe the raw sewage from the River Rest homes contaminating this area is of great concern. Untreated sewage is directly connected to E.coli and the harvesting of mosquitos. During every rainstorm as the pipes fill with water, the untreated sewage was discharged into the environment, polluting the tributary to the Harpeth River, but a small pool of sewage water always settled at the base of the drain pipe at the base of our property.
    We seek attention with this health issue and the proper environmental clean up of the drainage ditch and exposed area. We believe Cartwright Creek should take immediate actions that include:
    1) stop the leakage of human waste into the drains and clear their sewage pipes
    2) seal the overflow leakage of human waste
    3) clean drainage pipe or replace the drainage pipe
    5) create a concrete culvert to prevent the shallow pool of stagnant water that remain with a sewage smell and prevent a breeding ground for mosquitos.
    6) the integrity of Harpeth River preserved
    We have strong concerns about the integrity of the infrastructure based on its age due to the overwhelming stench that we have been experiencing the past few months. As a River Rest Homeowners, we understand that Cartwright Creek is under consideration for a 3 year renewal for a reissue permit. We need for the state to hear this incident report and be aware of the contaminating situation that is directly adjacent to our property. Cartwright Creek is at capacity and the daily odor is proof. Their current sewage facility needs to meet current quality standards before the reissue of a permit. ***
    On 6/5/13, MRT spoke w/Bruce Meyer, Cartwright Creek utility about this situation. Meyer said that in the course of their investigation a grease blockage of the main sewer line was discovered & they called a company to jet the line and remove the blockage. This action restored proper flow to the sewer line. Meyer said that they observed the referenced drainage ditch but didn¿t see a direct connection to the sewer system at that time. The sewer line in that area had been previously TVed & he has agreed to review the tape of that line to check for any problems. ***
    On 6/6/13, MRT received a call from Meyer. He had reviewed the tape of the line in that area & no major defects were found that would provide a direct conduit to the storm sewer. Meyer said they had checked the ditch since this incident & found the water to be clear. He agreed to check it after rain events & sample if it looks contaminated.