City of Charlotte Interdepartmental Update on Illegal Chemical Dumping
On Thursday, February 6, 2014, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department (CMUD)
wastewater treatment staff noticed an unusual substance flowing into the Mallard Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant on US 29 North. The flow was contained in a holding tank and
in the plant treatment process until it was determined that it was safe to return the plant
back to service. The Mallard Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant continues to operate in
emergency mode.
The origination of the dumping site was traced back to a grease trap containment location
behind the Food Lion grocery store located in the 6400 block of W. Sugar Creek Road. Local
officials held press briefings throughout the day to share updates concerning the illegal
activity and condition of the City’s sewer system.
Press Briefings
Friday, February 7, 6:30 a.m.: http://bit.ly/1njNZy4
Friday, February 7, 5 p.m.: http://bit.ly/1aHvtzy
City officials continue to reiterate that drinking water is safe to drink, bathe and cook with.
This incident did not affect drinking water in Mecklenburg County.
Sewer Conditions and Ongoing Testing
As a precaution, officials are advising the community to avoid human or animal contact with
Mallard Creek and the Rocky River in Cabarrus County. Field testing is ongoing as CMUD
and independent labs continue to analyze the amounts of Trichlorobenzene and
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) introduced into the sewer system.
Since the illegal dumping of toxic materials, trichlorobenzene and PCB levels have
fluctuated. The charts below detail test results obtained on Thursday, February 6 and
Friday, February 7. Levels will continue to fluctuate until the clean-up process is
complete. Although some levels may be greater than our target values, the operations
staff are significantly reducing PCBs and trichlorobenzene by adjusting wastewater
treatment process to meet the necessary challenges.
PCB
(Discharge Target is less than 3 Parts Per Billion (PPB))*
Time (Friday, February 7)
Effluent Levels (PPB)
(Treated wastewater discharged into Mallard
Creek)
5:20 a.m.
4.8
6:00 a.m.
1.44
8:00 a.m.
1.7
9:58 a.m.
5.8
12:52 p.m.
3.1
2:51 p.m.
3.9
4:40 p.m.
4.1
6:29 p.m.
3.9
8:55 p.m.
4.5
Trichlorobenzene
(Target Concentration in Stream is less than 61 Parts Per Billion)*
Time (Friday, February 7)
Effluent Levels (PPB)
(Treated wastewater discharged into Mallard
Creek)
6 a.m.
12
8 a.m.
13
10 a.m.
64
12:52 p.m.
160
2:51 p.m.
190
4:40 p.m.
200
6:29 p.m.
160
8:55 p.m.
92
Time
Thursday, February 6 1:30 p.m.
8:25 p.m.
9:25 p.m.
10:25 p.m.
11:25 p.m.
Friday , February 7 12:35 a.m.
1: 30 a.m.
2:25 a.m.
3:32 a.m.
8:03 a.m.
8:47 a.m.
1:16 p.m.
6:37 p.m.
Trichlorobenzene
Influent Levels (PPB)
(Raw wastewater entering plant)
10,000
4,200
2,100
1,700
1,400
810
500
370
260
140
190
100
47
CMUD is working diligently to properly dispose of toxic materials that entered the plant.
Yesterday afternoon, it was discovered that approximately 1,695 gallons of water leaked
from a foundation drain on the plant site into Mallard Creek. Strictly as a precaution this
spill area is being considered as if it had been contaminated. The remaining spill area was
contained. United States Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina water quality
officials, and Mecklenburg County water quality officials have been on site and are
supporting cleanup and mitigation activities.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Criminal Investigation
Given the seriousness of this offense, The Mayor and City Manager have authorized the
creation of a joint task force to investigate this incident. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police
Department has joined forces with Local, State and Federal agencies in an effort to identify
and prosecute those involved in this egregious criminal act.
Members of the task force include:
• The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD)
• The Charlotte Fire Department (CFD)
•
•
•
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPACID)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities Department (CMUD)
North Carolina State Highway Patrol
The extent of the offense for unlawfully dumping toxic chemicals can include both State and
Federal charges. The most serious of these charges would be a felony State charge of
“Dumping of toxic substance” and a felony Federal charge of “Violation of the Clean Water
Act”.
The public is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 704-334-1600 if you have information that
could lead to the apprehension of the person(s) responsible for the illegal dumping.
The image below depicts the vehicle type that was likely used to illegally dump chemicals
into the sewer system. The pictured vehicle is typically used to siphon and extract liquid
waste. CMPD does not have a definite description of the actual vehicle used in the criminal
activity at this time.