IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A RELEASE OR OVERFLOW, PLEASE CALL THE WATER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AT (615) 794 – 4554 MONDAY-FRIDAY 7AM TO 4PM.  CALL (615) 791 – 3260 AFTER HOURS, WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS.

What is an overflow vs. a release?

The City of Franklin received an updated NPDES permit that became effective July 1, 2017 that defines a difference between a release and overflow.  In each below definition, the permittee is defined as the City of Franklin.

Release: the flow of sewage from any portion of the collection or transmission system owned or operated by the permittee other than through permitted outfalls that does not add pollutants to waters.  In addition, a release includes a backup into a building or private property that is caused by the blockages, flow conditions, or other malfunctions originating in the collection and transmission system owned or operated by the permittee.  A release does not include backups into a building or private property caused by blockages or other malfunctions originating in a private lateral.

Overflow: an unpermitted discharge of pollutants from the collection or transmission system owned or operated by the permittee other than through a permitted outfall, and reach receiving waters. 

For either situation, the discharge of wastewater can be attributed to the following causes:

• Blockages of sewer lines often due to grease, rags, or other materials wrongfully put into these sewer lines.
• Infiltration/inflow of excessive stormwater into sewer lines during heavy rainfall.
• Malfunctions of pumping stations, either equipment, or electrical outages.
• Broken sewer lines, caused by construction, line failure, or geologic conditions.

In 2016, the City updated its Sewer Overflow Response Plan (SORP) to provide updated procedures used to identify and remediate releases/overflows, and the methodologies used to communicate with the public. This document is updated as needed based upon changing information, and the updated document will be posted below.

Sanitary Sewer Overflow Response Plan Document (SORP)

Find out what you can do at home to prevent blockages!  #FranklinGreasebusters