Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) are a violation of NPDES permits that are issued by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).


What is an SSO?

A sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) is raw untreated sewage that discharges from the sanitary sewer system without first passing through a wastewater treatment plant. A typical SSO may occur at a manhole during wet weather, but can also occur in dry weather for a variety of reasons. An SSO is a public health hazard and a violation of federal, state and local discharge regulations.


Typical signs of an SSO include:

• Water flowing from manholes 
• Toilet paper or other "flushables" 
• Smell of sewage 
• An unusually steady flow of water 
• Residues, stains, or discolorations 
• Displaced manhole lids 

Oftentimes, the SSO discharge may not look or smell unusual. The toilet paper may have been "filtered" within the sewer pipe or somewhere upstream. Or the discharge may be diluted by groundwater or surface water infiltration.


How you can learn more:

EPA - Raw Sewage Enforcement Alert [PDF]
Benefits of Protecting Your Community From SSOs [PDF]
Sanitary Sewer Overflows (EPA 832-K-96-001) [PDF]
EPA Web Site: Overview of Sanitary Sewer Overflows
EPA Web Site: Fact Sheets and Outreach Materials


What you should do:

• Avoid all contact with SSO discharges. 
• Discourage children from playing in it. 
• Report the SSO immediately to KUB switchboard at 865-524-2911. 
• Report the SSO to local TDEC office at 865-594-6035 and to the City of Knoxville Water Quality Hotline at 865-215-4147 during business hours. 
• Take notes and pictures to document the SSO problem for authorities. 
• If you do not get satisfactory results with the steps above, please contact the US Environmental Protection Agency at: 404-562-9724. 

POSTED STREAMS


The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) posts Bacteriological and Fishing Advisory Lists for Tennessee waters.

These creeks within the City of Knoxville have been listed under Bacteriological Advisory: First Creek, Third Creek, Goose Creek, Second Creek, East Fork - Third Creek, and Sinking Creek.

Fort Loudon Lake is listed under a Fishing Advisory for PCBs.

TDEC, under the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has issued TMDL reports for several creeks within Knoxville with regard to fecal coliform limits. TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) establish the necessary reductions in a specified pollutant ("fecal coliform") for the creek to be suitable for its intended use. See the TMDL webpage for further explanation of how TMDLs affect the City of Knoxville.

Final TMDL reports have been issued for: First Creek, Fourth Creek, Williams Creek, Second Creek, Baker Creek, Third Creek, and Goose Creek.

The current public notification system consists of warning signs placed by KUB as directed by TDEC. These signs were originally placed by KUB several years ago, but have not been adequately maintained and replaced. 

New signs are being prepared by the City of Knoxville. According to the upcoming NPDES permit to be issued in April 2003, public notification signs will be the responsibility of the City of Knoxville Engineering Department.