NC0006351_Sampling - NOV-2020-PC-0303_20200626

ROY COOPER
Covem o
MICHAEL 5. REGAN
secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Certified Mail # 7018 0360 0002 2099 8559
Return Receipt Requested
NORTH CAROLINA
En vironmental Quality
June 26, 2020
Shawn Turner
Venator Chemicals LLC
5910 Pharr Mill Rd
Harrisburg, NC 28075
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking Number: NOV-2020-PC-0303
Permit No. NC0006351
Venator Chemicals, LLC
Cabarrus County
Dear Mr. Turner:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Venator Chemicals, LLC on June
10, 2020. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions
and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0006351. A summary of the findings and comments noted
during the inspection is provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.
The Compliance Sampling inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Mooresville
Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Lagoons Solids should be removed and properly disposed. Lagoon should have liner installed to
prevent groundwater contamination.
Operations & Maintenance Solids should be removed and properly disposed. Lagoon should have liner installed to
prevent groundwater contamination.
Please be advised that in accordance with your NPDES Permit Number NC0006351, Part II, Section C, 2. Proper
Operations & Maintenance; The permittee shall at all times properly operate and maintain all facilities and systems
of treatment and control (and related appurtenances) which are installed or used by the Permittee to
achieve compliance with the conditions of this permit.
NorthCaroiinaDepanmentofEnvuonrnentaQuairty I DimsianofWater Resources
D—E W.00resvlle Regivna! Office 1610 Es3 Center Aveaue, Suite 3011 M.00resvlie, North Caraiina 25115
�L f •'—!F 7fA-6 3-168f}

Please also note listed under Proper Operation and Maintenance, properly and officially designated operators
are fully responsible to properly operate and maintain the facility, and all documentation required
thereof, whether acting as a contract operator [subcontractor] or a member of the Permittee's staff.
In addition, the issues below must also be addressed:
Compliance Issue(s): Groundwater Monitoring Wells (MW) #5 and #6, down gradient of lagoon, tested above the
groundwater standard of 10 mg/L for Nitrate as Nitrogen. In samples collected on October 31, 2019, MW #5 test
reported 886 mg/L, MW #6 test reported 364 mg/L for Nitrate (NO2) as Nitrogen. The subject lagoon is unlined
and down gradient monitoring well test results indicate a direct link between groundwater contamination and the
unlined lagoon. Corrective actions should be taken to correct this issue.
Operation & Maintenance: It has been noted in past inspections that Lagoon #5 has been filling with settled
solids. The large amount of solids in the lagoon has reduced settling time and removal efficiency. Corrective
actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the future.
The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of State
law.
Please respond in writing to this Office within 15 days upon your receipt of this Notice of Violation regarding your
plans to remove solids from lagoon, properly dispose of removed solids, and lining of the lagoon. Also, provide a
time line for the completion of these activities that will abate and resolve the noted violations and/or compliance
issues.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Roberto Scheller with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-1699.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
A14CC681AF27425...
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENT
Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office - Enforcement File
NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File
Rose Pruitt, DWM-HWS (via email)
NortY Cara- na Departmentof Erv:ror.merts'Qua: ly I Mrsoftof Water Resourozs
Mooresv eF fl•:lra Off Del 510 Ea2l DeDler Avenue, Suae 3011 Mooresv e,North 0sro-:na28115