Safety

BCSS is committed to ensuring the safety of our employees and customers. Some of the ways we accomplish the highest level of safety are highlighted below.

  • BCSS follows all OSHA rules when performing construction work on public and private property.
  • Our entire wastewater system is monitored by a high tech telemetry system that notifies us when lift stations and wastewater treatment plants should be serviced.
  • Our wastewater treatment plants, main sewer lines and lift stations are regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).
  • BCSS contacts Alabama 811 and confirms all utility line locates are active before performing any construction work or digging on property.
  • All private service lines should be flagged by the customer before BCSS digs on property.
  • Service crews follow strict sewer service installation and repair procedures with a Service Supervisor overseeing every installation- re-enacted December 2012.
  • Monthly Service safety meetings are conducted at the office and in the field.

Sanitary Sewer Overflows

  • Sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) happen for various reasons, most commonly because of sewer lines being cut during construction activities and heavy rain infiltrating the system. BCSS is continually updating vulnerable areas of main sewer lines, lift stations and other parts of our system to prevent SSOs.
  • The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) regulates sewer spills with BCSS main sewer lines (transmission lines) and at our wastewater treatment plants.

BCSS Protocol for Handling a Sanitary Sewer Overflow:

  • Once BCSS is notified on a possible sewer spill, one or more of our technicians are dispatched to the appropriate location to confirm and repair any issues.
  • As soon as a sewer spill or sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) on our transmission system is confirmed, one or both of our septic tank pumping trucks are sent to sites to collect excess wastewater. We also dispatch bypass pumps and generators as warranted.
  • After the SSO has been restored, BCSS applies a hydrated lime disinfectant on the affected areas to relinquish the area.
  • BCSS reports all SSOs to ADEM, which is public record.
  • BCSS places notification signs of the sewer spill in the area that the spill occurred.