How long do you have to report a category 1 Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO)?

When managing Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs), timely reporting is critical for ensuring that public health and safety are prioritized, as well as for minimizing environmental impacts. For a Category 1 SSO, which is defined as a significant overflow that poses an imminent threat to public health, the requirement is to report this incident within 2 hours. This quick reporting timeframe allows for swift action and response, facilitating efforts to contain the overflow and mitigate its effects on the community.

While other categories of SSOs may have different reporting timeframes—such as longer periods for lesser categories—the urgency of a Category 1 event necessitates this rapid communication to local health authorities and other relevant parties. Therefore, understanding and adhering to this critical timeframe is essential for proper sanitary sewer management and operations.