Transforming Wastewater Maintenance and Increasing Efficiency for a Growing Municipality

Selecting a maintenance provider for complex sanitary and stormwater systems is no small task. It requires a deep understanding of the infrastructure and the operational challenges that municipalities face daily.

Union County Water, a utility serving approximately 270,000 residents across North Carolina, found itself in need of a reliable partner to maintain its extensive network of sewage pump stations and treatment facilities. With five wastewater treatment plants, a water treatment plant, nine booster pump stations, and 11 water towers, the demands of their system were high, and their internal team was stretched thin.

Union County turned to Envirowaste Services Group (EWSG) for assistance after a series of operational challenges highlighted the need for outside expertise. What followed was a partnership that solved immediate problems and delivered long-term improvements, all while keeping costs manageable and avoiding potential regulatory issues.

The challenge

Union County Water’s system, like many others, deals with ongoing issues related to the collection and treatment of wastewater. One specific challenge came at one of their sewer pump stations, where significant grit buildup was causing major problems.

“The pumps got clogged so badly we couldn’t even get them out of the hole,” explained Matthew Ferrell, Union County Water’s maintenance superintendent.

In this case, the accumulation of grit was exacerbated by factors outside the county’s immediate control — factors that could not be resolved with in-house resources alone. Union County needed an immediate solution to clear the clogged pumps and prevent further damage to the system. However, beyond the short-term crisis, it became clear that the municipality required a more sustainable approach to maintaining its wastewater assets.

The engagement

Recognizing their internal staff was not equipped to handle this scale of maintenance regularly, Union County reached out to EWSG. Initially, the request was made out of sheer necessity.

“We made the call, and they were on-site within an hour,” Ferrell recalled. “Their biggest help has been their ability to move people rapidly whenever we need them to, but then also to be able to make a schedule and stick with it.”

EWSG’s prompt response was just the beginning. While Union County Water had expected the service to be a one-time emergency assist, EWSG’s thoroughness, professionalism, and technical expertise stood out.

This initial engagement led Union County to reassess how they approached routine and emergency maintenance. The ability to manage emergencies quickly and the technical capability to thoroughly clean and clear the system proved invaluable. Ferrell and his team soon realized that contracting with EWSG could help them avoid the pitfalls of handling all their maintenance in-house.

The results

The partnership with EWSG quickly developed into a successful relationship. Union County began using EWSG for routine maintenance, including cleaning wet wells filled with non-flushable materials like wipes, grease, and other debris. These materials are notorious for clogging pumps.

With EWSG’s help, Union County not only improved the efficiency of their pumps but also reduced the risk of sewer spills, which can lead to regulatory fines. Sewer spills aren’t just costly; they damage public reputation and local waterways.

One of the largest projects EWSG completed for Union County involved cleaning out an equalization (EQ) basin. Over time, grease and debris had accumulated at the bottom of the basin, reducing its capacity by 3 feet. This buildup severely limited the plant’s ability to manage peak flows. EWSG cleared the entire tank in just one day, restoring its full capacity and enabling the plant to return to normal operations the following day.

Impacts and insights

What began as an emergency response has evolved into a long-term contract. EWSG’s ability to handle both routine maintenance and emergency situations allowed Union County to reallocate internal resources to other critical areas. Beyond their technical capabilities, EWSG’s reliability also made a lasting impression on Ferrell and his team.

“The biggest thing for me is if you say you’re going to do something, you do it,” Ferrell said. “When they say they’re going to be there, they always come with all the equipment they need, and they leave the site looking better than when they got there.”

Long-term solutions

For Union County, the decision to partner with EWSG wasn’t just about solving a single problem but finding a long-term solution to the challenges of maintaining an extensive wastewater infrastructure. By providing fast, reliable service and demonstrating a deep understanding of the technical aspects of system maintenance, EWSG has proven to be an essential partner in ensuring the continued functionality of Union County Water’s system.

The lessons learned from this partnership go beyond technical service. Union County now operates with greater confidence, knowing they have a partner that can handle the complexities of their infrastructure and respond rapidly to any issue that arises.