NCG110038_Cover Letter and Inspection Report_20240726

ROY COOPER
Governor
j '
ELIZABETH S.BISERa;n �
Secretary
WILLIAM E.TOBY VINSON,JR. NORTH CAROL-INA
Interim Director Environmental Quality
July 26, 2024
City of Hickory
Attn: Warren Wood
P.O. Box 398
Hickory,North Carolina 28603
Subject: COMPLIANCE EVALUATION INSPECTION
NPDES Stormwater General Permit NCG110000
Northeast WWTP (City of Hickory), Certificate of Coverage NCGI10038
Catawba County
Dear Mr. Wood:
On July 24, 2024, a site inspection was conducted for the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (City of
Hickory) facility located at 310 Cloninger Mill Road, Catawba County, North Carolina. A copy of the
Compliance Inspection Report is enclosed for your review. David Cox also present during the inspection and
his time and assistance is greatly appreciated. The site visit and file review revealed that the subject facility is
covered by NPDES Stormwater General Permit NCG110000 under Certificate of Coverage NCG110038.
Permit coverage authorizes the discharge of stormwater from the facility to receiving waters designated as
Falling Creek, class C waters in the Catawba River Basin.
As a result of the inspection, the facility was found to be noncompliant with the conditions of the NCGI 10000
permit. Please refer to the enclosed Compliance Inspection Report for additional comments and observations
made during the inspection.
Please be advised that violations of the NPDES Stormwater General Permit are subject to a civil
penalty assessment of up to $25,000 per day for each violation. If you or your staff have any questions,
comments, or needs assistance with understanding any aspect of your permit, please contact me at
[phone] or via e-mail at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Ej
DocuSigned by:
4A35D6B02B02438...
Jerry W. Eplin, PE
Regional Engineer
DEMLR
Enclosure: Compliance Inspection Report
c: David Cox, Environmental Manager,P.O. Box 398,Hickory,North Carolina 28603
DEMLR NPDES Stormwater Permit Laserfiche File
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Energy,Mineral,and Land Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue,Suite 3011 Mooresville,North Carolina 28115
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aw&i 704-235-2100

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:NCG110038 Effective: 03/01/24 Expiration: 02/28/29 Owner: City of Hickory
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Northeast WWTP
County: Catawba 310 Cloninger Mill Rd
Region: Mooresville
Hickory NC 28601
Contact Person:Kevin B Greer Title: Asst. Public Services Director Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: SWNC,
Primary ORC: Certification: Phone:
Secondary ORC(s):
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 07/24/2024 Entry Time 01:10PM Exit Time: 02:OOPM
Primary Inspector:Kathryn S Peterson Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Isaiah L Reed
Owen C Swavely
Stephanie Landers
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Municipal WWTP> 1 MGD, Stormwater Discharge, COC
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Storm Water
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 3

Permit: NCG110038 Owner-Facility:City of Hickory
Inspection Date: 07/24/2024 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
On July 24, 2024 staff with the NCDEQ inspected the Northeast WWTP for the City of Hickory for industrial stormwater
compliance. Staff met with David Cox on site. During the inspection, the following items were noted:
1. A SWPPP was not made available on site at the time of inspection. A SWPPP shall be created/maintained and kept on
site for future inspections.
2. Qualitative monitoring records were not made available at the time of inspection. Ensure qualitative monitoring is
conducted according to permit requirements and kept available on site.
3. Secondary containment is required for polymers stored on site. Secondary containment shall be provided for all bulk liquid
storage on site.
Please give the above items immediate attention.This site will be reinspected on or after August 24, 2024. Failure to
address the listed items above may result in a notice of violation.
If you have any questions, please contact [e-mail].
Page 2 of 3

Permit: NCG110038 Owner-Facility:City of Hickory
Inspection Date: 07/24/2024 Inspection Type:Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Yes No NA NE
Does the site have a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a General Location (USGS) map? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a"Narrative Description of Practices"? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a detailed site map including outfall locations and drainage areas? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a list of significant spills occurring during the past 3 years? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Has the facility evaluated feasible alternatives to current practices? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the facility provide all necessary secondary containment? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a BMP summary? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a Spill Prevention and Response Plan (SPRP)? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a Preventative Maintenance and Good Housekeeping Plan? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Does the facility provide and document Employee Training? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a list of Responsible Party(s)? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
# Is the Plan reviewed and updated annually? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
#Does the Plan include a Stormwater Facility Inspection Program? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Has the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan been implemented? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment: No SWPPP was available at the time of inspection.
Qualitative Monitoring Yes No NA NE
Has the facility conducted its Qualitative Monitoring? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment: No qualitative monitoring data was available at the time of inspection.
Permit and Outfalls Yes No NA NE
# Is a copy of the Permit and the Certificate of Coverage available at the site? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Were all outfalls observed during the inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑
# If the facility has representative outfall status, is it properly documented by the Division? ❑ ❑ ❑
#Has the facility evaluated all illicit(non stormwater)discharges? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment:
Page 3 of 3