NC0070289_NOV2020PC0319_20200721

ROY COOPER
coverno
MICHAEL S. REGAN
secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Certified Mail # 7018 0360 0002 2099 8177
Return Receipt Reauested
Wayne Huntley
Stone's Throw Homeowners Association
PO Box 690725
Charlotte, NC 28227
NORTH CAROLINA
En vireninen tal Quality
July 21, 2020
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2020-PC-0319
Permit No. NCO070289
Ridgewood Farms at Stones Throw WWTP
Cabarrus County
Dear Mr. Huntley:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Ridgewood Farms at Stone's
Throw WWTP on July 13, 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. NC0070289. A summary of
the findings and comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection
report.
The 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
Operations & Maintenance Cathodic Protection System appears to have been removed or not installed or maintained
properly.
Operations & Maintenance Facility has high amounts of solids in MLSS that appears to be bulky and laden with
filamentous bacteria.
Operations & Maintenance Holes rusted through bulkhead does not allow proper use of digester.
NortY Cara- na 6epartmentof Erv:rar.irerts'Qua: ly I Mrsoftof Water Resourozs
Mooresv eF fl•:lra Off Del 51ff Ea2l DeDler Avenue, Suae301I Mooresv e,North 0sra-:na2S115

Inspection Area
Description of Violation
Aeration Basins
Only 4 of 10 diffuser pipes appeared to be delivering air to MLSS. The pipes in operation
appeared not to have diffusers attached. During settleability test, sludge settled out very
slowly, blanket of thick foam on surface of aeration basin, both are indications of bulky
filament laden MLSS.
Secondary Clarifier
Skimmers were not operational on secondary clarifier, a layer of thick foam was building
up on surface of secondary. Solids were noted going over weir at time of inspection.
Sludge blanket 2 feet below surface. Return sludge lines were in operation at time of
inspection.
Operations & Maintenance
Treatment plant has holes rusted through outside walls, holes rusted through at end of
plant at digester, large holes rusted through bulkhead between aeration and digester.
In addition, the issue below must also be addressed:
Compliance Issue(s):
Please be advised that in accordance with your NPDES Permit, Section A. (3.) ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT,
[NCGS 143-215.1 (b)] The Permittee shall have a North Carolina Licensed Professional Engineer evaluate the
structural integrity and operational efficiency of this facility to ensure the integrity of the treatment system. The
assessment's details and conclusions must be submitted to both the NC DEQ Mooresville Regional Office and the
NPDES program no later than October 31, 2020. Based on the findings of the Assessment, a permanent solution
for addressing all necessary repairs, with a timeline, shall be developed and implemented. This permit may be
reopened to include a schedule of compliance for facility repairs, and / or alterations of the exiting permit limits
and monitoring frequencies.
A Notice of Violation / Intent to Issue Civil Penalty is being issued for the noted violations of NPDES Permit Number
NCO070289 and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 and the facility's NPDES WW Permit. Pursuant to
G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed
against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any
permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1.
If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or discuss
overall compliance please respond in writing within fifteen (15) business days after receipt of this Notice. A review
of your response will be considered along with any additional information provided. You will then be notified of
any civil penalties that may be assessed regarding the violations. If no response is received in this Office
within the 15-day period, a civil penalty assessment may be prepared.
Remedial 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. If the violations are of a continuing nature, not related to operation and/or maintenance problems, and
you anticipate remedial construction activities, then you may wish to consider applying for a Special Order by
Consent.
Reminder: Pursuant to Permit Condition 6 in Section E, the Permittee is required to verbally notify the Regional
Office as soon as possible, not to exceed 24 hours, from first knowledge of any non-compliance at the facility
including limit violations, bypasses of, or failure of a treatment unit. A written report may be required within 5
days if directed by Division staff. Prior notice should be given for anticipated or potential problems due to planned
NortY Cara- na Departmer.t.af Ervrorrr.erta Qua:ly I D:vsoftof Water Resauroas
Moxesv eF fl•:lra Off De 1 610 East,::enterAve nae,Suae3011 Mcoresv e,North Dsra-:na2S115

maintenance activities, taking units off-line, etc.
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
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: Laserfiche
WQS Mooresville Regional Office - Enforcement File
NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File
No rth Carolina Department of E nvuon menu! Quairty I Dimsian of Water Resources
ME Mooresville Regbfm! Office 1 610 Es3 Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresvit, North Carolina 2S115
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