NC0022934_NOV2021PC0288_20210518

ROY COOPER
Governor
DIONNE DELLI-GATTI
Secretary
8, DANIEL SMITH
DOrecfor
FORTH CAROL! NA
£i i ronmrntaf Quality
CERTIFIED MAIL # 7019 1120 0000 8361 1497
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
May 18, 2021
Mr. Lawrence Schwartz
UCS, Inc.
P.O. Box 657
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Subject: Notice of Continuing Violation and Recommendation for Enforcement
NOV-2021-PC-0288
UCS Main Plant
NPDES Permit No. NC0022934
Gaston County
Dear Mr. Schwartz:
Enclosed is a copy of the Compliance Evaluation Inspection for the inspection conducted
at the subject facility on March 23, 2021, by Ori Tuvia. Please advise the staff involved with this
NPDES Permit by forwarding a copy of the enclosed report.
Overall, the wastewater treatment system needs attention and maintenance. One of the
main areas of concern observed during the inspection was that the lagoon has not been maintained
and this issue has been identified during previous inspections. There is woody vegetation, animal
burrows, and erosion on the side slopes/dikes. The outfall structure is deteriorating and needs
maintenance; the access to the outfall structure appears unstable. The outfall structure, which
contains the chlorine disinfection box, is part of permitted wastewater system and must be
maintained. Additionally, the Permittee should conduct an engineering evaluation of the system
to verify its integrity. This includes assessing the sludge level in the lagoon, assessing the
structural stability of the lagoon slopes/dikes after vegetation removal, and an evaluation of the
outfall structure (an older report in DWR files suggests that the reason for no discharge from the
system may be a leak in the structure below the water line). In addition, facility staff must locate
the effluent pipe. Please note that Part II, Section C, Condition 2 of your permit requires that, "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
nC—r)
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources I Water Quality Regional Operations
Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704 663 1699

compliance with the conditions of this permit." This is a continuing violation that was noted on
the previous inspection report (dated December 4, 2019) and resulted in enforcement.
A Notice of Continuing Violation and Recommendation for Enforcement, pursuant to G.S.
143-215.6A, may result in a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars
($25,000.00) per day, per violation and 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. You are requested to respond to this Notice in writing within ten (10) days of
receipt indicating your Plan of Action to ensure future compliance.
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Ori Tuvia or me at
[phone].
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
[Lif•ol4UV
H P: tt.ti.
F161 FB69A2D84A3...
for
W. Corey Basinger
Regional Supervisor
Mooresville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources
CC: NPDES Unit, MRO Files (Laserfiche)