NC0021865_NOV-2019-LV-0867 Response_20191202

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Town Of Chadbourn
"The Stra wherry Capital"
6o2 NORTH BROWN STREET•CHADBOURN, NORTH CAROLINA 28431
TELEPHONE: [phone]
November 27, 2019
NC DEQ/DWR
Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, NC 28405
Subject: NOV Response
N OV-2019-LV-0867
Chadbourn WWTP
NPDES #NC0021865
Columbus County
Dear Mr. Tharrington,
The Town is in receipt of your NOV & Intent to Assess Civil Penalty dated November 18, 2019. The NOV is for a
daily maximum exceedance for copper and a weekly average exceedance for BOD5. We request that no civil
penalties be assessed for these violations and offer the following comments:
• The noncompliance for a daily maximum exceedance for copper is the first one the WWTP has had since
stopping the acceptance of porta john waste into the facility. Our concern is that there may be
unauthorized discharges to the sewer collection system. This exceedance occurred over a holiday
weekend. The Town's police force has been asked to be more observant for illegal discharges at
manholes and car washes and a notice will be published in the newspaper requesting assistance from the
public.
• The same holiday week, there was also a weekly average exceedance for BOD5. During the week, an
overfeeding of Sulfur Dioxide (dechlorinating chemical) occurred. A high residual of dechlorinating agents
can cause a high BOD5 result. Normally, approximately 1 — 5 pounds per day of sulfur dioxide is dosed.
During the week in which the violation occurred, approximately 35 pounds of sulfur dioxide was used. We
feel the BOD5exceedance was caused by this temporary equipment malfunction.
• No environmental damage was observed due to this violation.
The WWTP has been performing well prior to and after these violations. If you have additional questions or
comments, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Patricia Garrell, Interim Town Manager
Town of Chadbourn