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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0035041_Enforcement_20161208February 02, 2017 Mr, Matthew Klein Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina PO Box 240908 Charlotte, NC 28224 ROY COOPER Covernor MICHAEL S. REGAN St artafy S. JAY ZIMMERMAN ',A Subject: Payment Acknowledgement Hemby Acres WWTP Permit NC0035041 Case No. LV-2016-0245 County Union Dear Mr, Klein: This letter is to acknowledge receipt of payment in the amount of $451.34 received from you on 01/11/2017. This payment satisfies in .full the above civil assessment (s) levied against the subject facility, and this case has been closed, Payment of this penalty in no way precludes future action by this Division for additional violations of the applicable Statues, Regulations, or Permits, If you have any questions, please contact Wren Thedford at 919-807-6397. Sincerely, 1�IY� Wren Thedford cc: Central Files NPDES Mooresville Regional Office State of North. Car catitta # Environm n1a1 Quality; Water Re ources 610 East Center Avenue, Suite col, oats le. NC 28115 704-663-16 Certified Mail # 7015 1520 0002 6878 2196 Return Receipt Requ d December 08, 2016 Martin J. Lashua Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina PO Box 240908 Charlotte, NC 28224-0908 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES WW Permit No. NC0035041 Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina Hemby Acres WWTP Case No, LV-2016-0245 Union County Dear Mr. Lashua: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $451.34 ($350.00 civil penalty + $101.34 enforcement costs) against Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina. This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the discharge monitoring report (DMR) submitted by Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina for the month of June 2016. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0035041. The violations, which occurred in June 2016, are surnmarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NC0035041 and G.S. 143-215 1(a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A. In accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(a)(2), a civil penalty may be assessed against any person who violates the terms, conditions or requirements of a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1(a). Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, I, W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor, Mooresville Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina: State of North CarolinalEnironmental Quality Water Resources 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301, Mooresville, NC 28115 704-663-1699 $100.00 1 of the 1 violations of 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No.NC0035041, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Daily Maximum for BOB - Conc. $250.00 1 of the 1 violations of 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No.NC0035041, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Monthly Average for BOP - Conc. $350.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $101.34 Enforcement Costs $451.34 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A(c), in determining the amount of the penalty 1 have taken into account the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and the factors set forth at G.S. 143B-282.1(b), which are: (1) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private property resulting from the violation; (2) The duration and gravity of the violation; (3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; (4) The cost of rectifying the damage; (5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; (6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; (7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority; and (8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following: (1) Submit payment of the penalty, OR (2) Submit a written request for remission, OR (3) Submit a written request for an administrative hearing Option 1: Submit payment of the penalty: Payment should be made directly to the order of the Department of Environmental Quality (do not include waiver form). Payment of the penalty will not foreclose further enforcement action for any continuing or new violation(s). Please submit payment to the attention of: Wastewater Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Pir Option 2: Submit a written request for remission or mitigation including a detailed justification for such request: Please be aware that a request for remission is limited to consideration of the five factors listed below as they may relate to the reasonableness of the amount of the civil penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual statements contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Because a remission request forecloses the option of an administrative hearing, such a request must be accompanied by a waiver of your right to an administrative hearing and a stipulation and agreement that no factual or legal issues are in dispute. Please prepare a detailed statement that establishes why you believe the civil penalty should be remitted, and submit it to the Division of Water Resources at the address listed below. In determining whether a remission request will be approved, the following factors shall be considered: (1) whether one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in NCGS 143B-282.1(b) was wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner; (2) whether the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation; (3) whether the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident; (4) whether the violator had been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations; or (5) whether payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions. Please note that all evidence presented in support of your request for remission must be submitted in writing. The Director of the Division of Water Resources will review your evidence and inform you of his decision in the matter of your remission request. The response will provide details regarding the case status, directions for payment, and provision for further appeal of the penalty to the Environmental Management Commission's Committee on Civil Penalty Remissions (Committee). Please be advised that the Committee cannot consider infoiniation that was not part of the original remission request considered by the Director. Therefore, it is very important that you prepare a complete and thorough statement in support of your request for remission. In order to request remission, you must complete and submit the enclosed "Request for Remission of Civil Penalties, Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing, and Stipulation of Facts" form within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice. The Division of Water Resources also requests that you complete and submit the enclosed "Justification for Remission Request." Both forms should be submitted to the following address: Wastewater Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Option 3: File a petition foran administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings: If you wish to contest any statement in the attached assessment document, you must file a petition for an administrative hearing. You may obtain the petition form from the Office of Administrative Hearings. You must file the petition with the Office of Administrative Hearings within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice. A petition is considered filed when it is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings during normal office hours. The Office of Administrative Hearings accepts filings Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except for official state holidays. The petition may be filed by facsimile (fax) or electronic mail by an attached file (with restrictions) - provided the signed original, one (1) copy and a filing fee (if a filing fee is required by NCGS §150B-23.2) is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings within seven (7) business days following the faxed or electronic transmission. You should contact the Office of Administrative Hearings with all questions regarding the filing fee and/or the details of the filing process. The mailing address and telephone and fax numbers for the Office of Administrative Hearings are as follows: Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6714 Tel: (919) 733-2698 Fax: (919) 733-3478 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DEQ as follows: Mr. Sam M. Hayes, General Counsel Department of Environmental Quality 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601 Please indicate the case number (as found on page one of this letter) on the petition. Failure to exercise one of the options above within thirty (30) days of receipt of this letter, as evidenced by an internal date/time received stamp (not a postmark), will result in this matter being referred to the Attorney General's Office for collection of the penalty through a civil action. Please be advised that additional penalties may be assessed for violations that occur after the review period of this assessment. If you have any questions, please contact Roberto Scheller with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Mooresville Regional Office at (252) 946-6481 or via email at roberto.scheller@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File JUSTWICATIONFOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: LV-2016-0245 Assessed Party: Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina Permit No.: NCNB 504 1 County: Union Amount Assessed: $45134 Please use this form when requesting remission of this civil penalty. You must also complete the "Request For Remission, Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing, and Stipulation of Facts" form to request remission of this civil penalty. You should attach any documents that you believe support your request and are necessary for the Director to consider in evaluating your request for remission. Please be aware that a request for remission is limited to consideration of the five factors listed below as they may relate to the reasonableness of the amount of the civil penalty assessed, Requesting remission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual statements contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Pursuantto N.C,G.S. § 143B-282.1(c), remission of a Civil penalty may be granted only when one or more of the following five factors apply. Please check each factor that you believe applies to your case and provide a detailed explanation, including copies of supporting documents,, as to why the factor applies (attach additional pages as needed). (a) one or more ofthe civil penalty assessment factors in N.C.G.S, 14313-282.1(b) were wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner (the assessment factors are listed in the civil penalty assessment document); (b) the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation (Le., explain the steps that you took to correct the violation and prevent future occurrences); (c) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident e., explain why the violation was unavoidable or something you could not prevent or prepare for); (d) the violator had not been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations; (e) payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions .e., explain how payment of the civil penalty will prevent you frorn performing the activities necessary to achieve compliance). EXPLANATION: STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF UNION IN THE ;MATTER OF ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina Herlihy Acres WWTP PERMIT NO, NC0035041 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONi 9 'NTAL QUALITY WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS CASE NO. LV-2016-0245 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $451 34 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated December 08, 2016, the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the civil penalty, does hereby waive the right to an administrative hearing in the above -stated matter and does stipulate that the facts are as alleged in the assessment document The undersigned further understands that all evidence presented in support of remission of this civil penalty must be submitted to the Director of the Division of Water Resources within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice of assessment. No new evidence in support of a remission request will be allowed after (30) days from the receipt of the notice of assessment. This the day of ... 20 ADDRESS SIGNATURE ELEPHONE PERMIT: NC0035041 FACILITY: Hemby Acres WWTP ATTACHMENT A Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina CASE NUMBER: LV-2016-0245 REGION: Mooresville COUNTY: Union VIOLATIONS) SAMPLE LOCATION: Outfall 001 - Effluent Violation Report Date Month/Yr. Parameter Frequency Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Violation Measure Value Value Limit Type Penalty Amount 6/29/2016 6-2016 BOD, 5-Day (20 De C) - Concentration 9 Weekly mg/I 13.50 24 77.8 Daily Maximum Exceeded $100.©0 0/2016 6-2016 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg, Weekly mg/l C) - Concentration 13.50 50.2 Monthly Average Exceeded $250.©0 17-5b :Exceeding Crite McKee Creek 7-8-4 ;Exceeding Criteria orth Fork Crooked Creek -17-20-1 Reedy Creek 1�-17-8a Exceeding Criteria C From source to Reedy Creek C From source to Crooked Creek C From source to McKee Creek 4.6 FW Miles 6.9 FW Miles 12.0 FW Miles 8.1 FW Miles 0`i6 r n r M.. rnn 4, ,n+ 1 PAPP 1 qc of 709 November 11, 2016 W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 Mooresville, NC 28115 Re: Notice of Violation & Intent to Assess Civil Penalty Tracking Number: NOV-2016-LV-0597 Permit No, NCO03541 Hem by Acres Union County Dear Mr, Basinger, We are in receipt of the above mentioned Notice of Violation and respond in kind: We have reviewed our sampling practices/procedures and found the composite sampler suction tubing had a dip where it went through a portion of the wall We feel this may have contributed to the higher than normal BOD spike because it allowed a portion of the effluent to remain in the sampling hose and would not allow it to drain. Alterations were made that would allow proper drainage and the sampling hose was replaced. Subsequent samples have shown full compliance with the NPDES permitted limits. The staff of CWSNC takes great pride in the compliance and is committed to the environmental stewardship of our facility. Please accept this letter as demonstration of our continued efforts to insure compliance, If you have any questions or if I can provide any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at 704- 319-0516. Thank you for your attention. Mark Haver Area Manager a Utitts, Inc alilf;ony Carolina Water Service, Inc, of North Carolina P.O. Box 240908 Charlotte, NC 28224 P: 704-525-7990 F: 704-525-8174 5701 Westpark Dr,, Suite 101 a Charlotte, NC 28217 g wm.uiwater,corn ail # 7015 1520 0002 6878 2141 ipt Requested November 1, 2016 Martin J. Lashua Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina PO Box 240908 Charlotte, NC 28224-0908 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY Tracking Number: NOV-2016-LV-0597 Permit No. NC0035041 Hemby Acres WWTP Union County Dear Mr. Lashua: A review of the June 2016 Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) for the subject facility revealed the violation(s) indicated below: LimitExceedance Vioi tion(s); Sample Location Parameter Limit. Reported Date Value Value Type of Violation 001 Effluent 001 Effluent BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) Concentration (C0310) 6/29/2016 13.5 24 Daily Maximum Exceeded BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) 6/30/2016 9 13.52 Monthly Average Exceeded Concentration (C0310) A Notice of Violation/Intent to Issue Civil Penalty is being issued for the noted violation of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 and the facility's NPDES 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. State of North Carolina p Environmental Quality j Resourc 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301, Moo tt sville, N 28115 If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or discuss overall compliance please respond in writing within ten (10) business days after receipt of this Notice. A review of your response will be considered along with any information provided on the submitted Discharge Monitoring Report(s), 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 10-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 maintenance activities, taking units off-line, etc. Additionally, if you have not already done so, you may wish to consider registering to use the Division's new e-DMR system for the completion and electronic submittal of monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs). For more information, please visit the eDMR Website at the following address: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/admin/bogiipu/edmr. If you have any questions concerning this matter or to apply for an SOC, please contact Roberto ScheUer of the Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-1699. Sincer W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File State of North Carolina l Environmental Quality Water Resources 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301, Mooresville, NC 28115 Facility: Parameter Permit No.: DMR Review Record N \ Pipe No.: anthly Average Violations MonthfYear: Permit Limit DMR Value % Over Limit Weekly/Daily Violations it Type DMR Value % Over Limit Action Action Monitoring Frequency Violations Date Parameter Permit Frequency Values Reported # of Violations Action ©therViolations/Staff Rema Completed by: Assistant Regional Supervisor Sign Off: Date: Date: Regional Supervisor Sign Off: 2/3/2016, 1:17 PM Date: DMR Review Record Master 1602, Without $ Amts DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT Violator: Carolina Water Service Inc. of North Carolina Facility Name: Hembv Acres WWTP Permit Number: NC0035041 County: Union Case Number: LV-2016-0245 ASSESSMENT FACTORS 1) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private property resulting from the violation;`i NI -F3 taw 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; nb' c 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; rA C NO( (.104, / w� of (c. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; rr tivci v, 5) The amount of money saved by nonco v1 [� a .- ance; 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully o e nally; k2 7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority found the following violations during a 12 month review period (June 2015 to May 2016): 03/2016 — Daily Geo Mean Fecal Colifarm — NOV-2016 — LV- 0408 8) The cost to the State of the enforce procedures. Enforcement Cost: 1 hour staff time... .$ 33.78 1 hour supervisor time ..........................................$ 52.56 Administrative staff cost .......................................$ 15.00 Total Enforcement Cost $ 101.34 Date a_W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ