What is an SSO and what must be done when one occurs?
A sanitary sewer overflow occurs when there is too much wastewater for the sewer system or treatment plant to handle, such as after heavy rainstorms. The wastewater comes out of a manhole, tank or into someone’s basement due to decreased capacity in the system or too much hydraulic loading on the system. The owner of the collection system is responsible to notify the regional office where the event occurred. If the owner has a contract with the POTW, the POTW will report the occurence to the State.
