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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0021881_LV20160054_20160216t�ua fcr l�es�rrrc�s, ffiMVIR'JNN£AIiA@ C}:1dliTY Certified Mail # 7014 2120 0000 8057 9556 Return Receipt Requested February 16, 2016 Harry W Foley Town of Lake Waccamaw PO Box 145 Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450-0145 PAT MC,CRORY 't'7c�G:s�yr� DONALD R. VAIN DER VAART :erTi-s , S. JAY ZT-NIME RINIANT DY15CX7 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. NCO021881 Town of Lake Waccamaw RECEIVEMCDEQ/DWR Lake Waccamaw WWTP FEB 2 2 2016 Case No. LV -2016-0054 Columbus County Water Quality Permitting Section Dear Permittee: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $807.90 ($625.00 civil penalty + $182.90 enforcement costs) against Town of Lake Waccamaw. This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the discharge monitoring report (DMR) submitted by Town of Lake Waccamaw for the month of November 2015. 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. NC0021881. The violations, which occurred in November 2015, are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Town of Lake Waccamaw violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NCO021881 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, James H. Gregson, Regional Supervisor, Wilmington Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Town of Lake Waccamaw: State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 910-796-7215 $625.00 2 of the 2 violations of 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No.NC0021881, by discharging wastewater into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Weekly Geometric Mean for FEC COLI. t $625.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $182.90 Enforcement Costs $807.90 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A(c), in determining the amount of the penalty I have taken into account the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and the factors set forth at G.S. 143B-282.I(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 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 information 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 thigy 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 for an 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 § 15013-23.2) 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 Dean Hunkele with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Wilmington Regional Office at (910) 796-7215 or via email at dean.hunkele@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Ja es Fuality egson, Regional Supervisor Water Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Wilmington Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: LV -2016-0054 County: Columbus Assessed Party: Town of Lake Waccamaw Permit No.: NC0021881 Amount Assessed: $807.90 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. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 143B -282.1(c), remission of a civil penalty maybe 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 of the civil penalty assessment factors in N.C.G.S. 143B -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 (i.e., 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 (i.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 (i.e., explain how payment of the civil penalty will prevent you from performing the activities necessary to achieve compliance). EXPLANATION: STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNTY OF COLUMBUS IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS Town of Lake Waccamaw ) z Lake Waccamaw WWTP 1 PERMIT NO. NCO021881 ) CASE NO. LV -2016-0054 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $807.90 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated February 16, 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 ADDRESS TELEPHONE SIGNATURE 20 r ATTACHMENT A Town of Lake Waccamaw CASE NUMBER: LV -2016-0054 PERMIT: NCO021881 FACILITY: Lake Waccamaw WWTP COUNTY: Columbus REGION: Wilmington Limit Violations MONITORING OUTFALL / VIOLATION UNIT OF CALCULATED % OVER PENALTY REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE LIMIT VIOLATION TYPE I $312.50 11-2015 001 Effluent FEC COLI 11/7/15 3 X week #/100ml 400 4456.40 1,0141 Weekly Geometric Mean Exceeded $312.50 11-2015 001 Effluent FEC COLI 11/14/15 3 X week #/100ml 400 81430 103.6 Weekly Geometric Mean Exceeded DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL. PENALTY ASSESSMENT Violator: Town of Lake' Waccamaw Facility Name: Lake Waccamaw WWTP Permit Number: NC0021881 County: Columbus Case Number: LV -2016-0054 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; w=ravi 2 The duration an 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,. /74 5r /L. v-c-c�x Gam,? _ ✓ � /fes � 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. $182.90 Dat6 J mes . Gregson, Region Supervisor ter,/Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ WaterResources rNVt,?0NNFNT'A1. Q«: 7Y Certified Mail •# 7014 2120 0000 8057 9440 Return Recei2t RegUested January 12, 2016 Harry W Foley Town of Lake Waccamaw PO Box 145 Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450-0145 PAT h1CCRORI Garer.Ko.* DONALD R. VAIN, DER VA RT sormwi S, JAY Z1h1h1ERii'1?zl 'Dt+sca„ SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY Tracking Number: NOV-2016-LV-0034 Permit No. NCO021881 Lake Waccamaw WWTP Columbus County Dear Permittee: A review of the November 2015 Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) for the subject facility revealed the violation(s) indicated below: Limit Exceedance Violation(s): Sample Limit Reported Location Parameter Date Value Vague Type of Violation 001 Effluent Coliform, Fecal MF, M -FC 11/7/2015 400 4,456.37 Weekly Geometric Mean Exceeded Broth,44.5C (31616) 001 Effluent Coliform, Fecal MF, M -FC 11/14/2015 400 814.33 Weekly Geometric Mean Exceeded Broth,44.5C (31616) 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. 4 State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 910-796-7215 If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance,ror discuss overall compliance please respond in writing within ten (10) business days after receipt of this Notice. C 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 6n this Office within the 10 -day period, a caval 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 and 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://i)ortal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/`­admin/­bog/`­ipu/edmr. If you have any questions concerning this matter or to apply for an SOC, please contact Dean Hunkele of the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215. Si cerely, JamB H. Gregson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of -Water Resources, NCDEQ Cc: WQS Wilmington Regional Office - Enforcement File - NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 910-796-7215 of for Me6charidise , k ? Y P '. 'Q",��s;ys'4k�` CERTIFIEDbMAI�°.REC'EJUP�Tx'�_ sS3p-to�`n 'Domestic Maili►;ly For delivery info•__rmation, visit our website atwww��u pscom�::-}y`'� NPDES PERMIT NO.: NCO021881 PERMrr VERSION: 4.0 F�� ft NAME: Lake Waccamaw WWTP CLASS: WW -2 OWNER NAME: Town of Lake Waccamaw ORC: Michael J Prostinak GRADE: WW -2 ORC HAS CHANGED: No PERMrr STATUS: Active COUNTY: Columbus ORC CERT NUMBER: 9587 eDMR PERIOD: 11-2015 (November 2015) VERSION: 1.0 STATUS: Processed BAWLING LOCATION: EFFLUENT DISCHARGE NO.: 001 NO DISCHARGE*: NO q a e oe U e u o U F e a t ° E O c 50050 e E -` Continuous ° O o E ` ReeordQ U a O O X FLOW 00010 5Xweek Grab TEMP -C 00400 W Grab PH 50060 2Xweek Grab CHLORINE C0310 Weeks Composite ROD -Conn C0610 W Composite NR3-N-Con- C0530 We* Composite TSS -cone 31616 3Xweek Grab FEC COLI 00300 Wrskl Grab DO 2400 Hrs 2400 Hrs m degc su u mgn mpJl mg/l #1100ml mg/l 1 0.17 2 9.00 8 0.179 19.4 3 9:00 8 0.41 ly- 199 759 <10 5900 9-594 10:00 9:00 8 0.604 20.1 7.43 < 10 2500 822 5 10.00 24 9:00 8 1.097 205 721 <10 2.6 0.09 35 6000 7.11 6 9:00 8 OA82 7 OA19 8 0519 9 9:00 8 Y 0A88 18.1 10 9:00 8 Y 0.614 195 7.42 <10 60D 839 11 10.00 9:00 8 Y 0518 19A 752 38 1800 853 12 10:00 24 9:01) 8 Y 0.407 17.6 7.62 12 2 017 53 500 8.11 13 1 9:00 8 Y 0351 179 14 0.297 15 1 0.267 16 0900 8 Y 0251 13A 17 0900 8 Y 0249 13A � 7.73 <10 <1 9.78 I8 1000 09011 8 Y 0232 145 7.83 19 <1 9A9 19 IDDO 24 0900 8 Y 0116 16.8 7.87 <10 <2 02 89 105 8.42 20 0900 8 Y 03 173 21 0245 z2 024 23 0900 8 Y 0295 12.6 7.61 23 3400 934 24 1000 0900 8 Y 0268 112 754 30 < 1 10.05 1000 24 0900 8 Y 0.238 10.6 758 <10 23 0.14 35 10 8.7 09DO 8 Y 0.738 H H r 0900 8 Y 0221 H H 0212 021 30 Eal Y 0201 Monthly Average Limit: OA 159 11 4 30 200 Mon"4Aver - 0347933 16.505556 7579167 10.166667 1.725 0.175 53 153.461853 8.7275 DallyMaximum' 1.097 20.5 7.87 38 2.6 027 89 6000 10.05 DailyMlalmum: 0.17 10.6 721 0 0 0.09 35 0 7.11 Monthly Avg % Removal (85•/.): REG- E1 1ED/KD54R/9,VVR JAN 04 2016 Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Reg!onai Office DEC 1 0 2M PERIOD: I1-2015 (November2015) LIANCE: Non -Compliant PERMIT VERSION: 4.0 ORC: Michael J Prostinak ORC HAS CHANGED: No CnUNTY: Columbus ORC CERT NUMBER: 9587 12/13/2015 ORC/Certifier Signature: Michael Joseph Prostinak E-Mail:wwtplw@embarqmail.com Phone #:910-918-3257 Date By this signature, I certify that this report is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. The permittee shall report to the Director or the appropriate Regional Office any noncompliance that potentially threatens public health or the environment. Any information shall be provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee became aware of the circumstances. A written submission shall also be provided within 5 days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. If the facility is noncompliant, please attach a list of corrective actions being taken and a time -table for improvements to be made as required by part II.E.6 of the NPDES permit. COMMENTS: Fecal Coliform limits were exceeded during the first and second weeks due to extremely heavy rainfall and our ongoing M problems. We are presently in the process of repairing and/or replacing a number of sewer mains feeding Lift Station #12. The Lift Station itself is scheduled to be replaced early next year. �1 12/15/2015 Permittee/Submitter Signatur�e:*��`* Michael Joseph Prostinak E-Mail:wwtplw@embargmail.com Phone #:910-918-3257 Date Permittee Address: 1692 Dupree Landing Rd Lake Waccamaw NC 28450 Permit Expiration Date: 07/31/2019 I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who managed the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations. CERTIFIED LABORATORIES LAB NAME: Environment One CERTIFIED LAB #: 10 PERSON(s) COLLECTING SAMPLES: Michael Prostmak/Percy Watts PARAMETER CODES Parameter Code assistance may be obtained by calling the NPDES Unit (919) 807-6300 or by visiting htip://portalmedenr.org/web/wq/Swp/Ps/npdes/forms. FOOTNOTES Use only units of measurement designated in the reporting facility's NPDES permit for reporting data. * No Flow/Discharge From Site: Check this box if no discharge occurs and, as a result, there are no data to be entered for all of the parameters on the DMR for entire monitoring period. ** ORC on Site?: ORC must visit facility and document visitation of facility as required per 15A NCAC 8G .0204. *** Signature of Permittee: If signed by other than the permittee, then delegation of the signatory authority must be on file with the state per 15A NCAC 2B .0506(b)(2)(D).