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 One Call and confirms all utility line locates are active before performing any construction work or digging on property.
• Each new customer BCSS installs sewer service to signs paperwork stating that all private service lines on property should be marked before BCSS digs on the property.
• Service crews follow strict sewer service installation and repair procedures with a Service Supervisor overseeing every installation- re-enacted December 2012. Review Our Latest Installation Procedure
• 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.
• This map shows the latest sewer spills in different areas, including Baldwin County.

BCSS Protocol for Handling an SSO:

• 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.

How Property Owners Can Help to Prevent SSOs:

• • Don’t plant trees close to the sewer lateral (service line). Tree roots seek out water and can find even small cracks in the line. They can grow quickly, resulting in sluggish pipes or a blockage.
  • Never put inappropriate items, like grease, wipes, and feminine products in your drains. These can cause blockages that can result in sewer overflows. Read all of our User Tips for sewer systems here.
  • Keep stormwater out of the sanitary sewer line by replacing missing or broken cleanout caps. These caps cover your sewer lateral and flow directly into the main sanitary sewer system.
  • Never put anything in a manhole. If you see anyone discharging materials into a manhole, call BCSS or law enforcement.
  • Don’t allow vehicles to park or drive over a right-of-way or private property where they are underground utility lines.
  • Before digging on your property, call Alabama 811 for underground utility lines to be marked, and avoid digging in marked areas. Contact BCSS with any questions about working on your property in areas where there is a pump, sewer lines or valve box.

We encourage anyone in the community to alert us of a possible sewer spill by calling (251) 971-3022.