NC0086819_NOV-2019-LV-0035 Response_20190204

BRUNSWICK COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITIES
OPERATIONS CENTER
250 GREY WATER ROAD NE
SUPPLY, NORTH CAROLINA 28462
MAILING ADDRESS
POST OFFICE BOX 249
TELEPHONE
BOLFebruary 4 2019 [phone]
IVIA, NORTH CAROLINA, 2$422 y ,
ECEIVIED/ D OFAx
[phone]
Ms. Morella Sanchez -King FEB 0 6 2019
Acting Regional Supervisor
NCDEQ, WIRO - Regional
�Va$e� Quality � �.
127 Cardinal Drive Extension Operations Section
Wilmington, NC 28405
Wilminp�k�^ors Rey O ci C ;ice
RE: Northeast Brunswick Regional WWTP, NC0086819, Notice of Violation
Tracking No. NOV-2019-LV-0035
Dear Ms. Sanchez -King:
Brunswick County is in receipt of the Notice of Violation (N.O.V.) dated January23 2019 for
viol ' ' violation of effluent flow, exceeding the monthly average of 2.475 MGD. In response to the
N.O.V
., Brunswick County submits the following:
Brunswick County along with the entire southeastern area of North Carotin a received record
rainfall during 2018. The Northeast Brunswick Re Iona W�i'Th(NEBR)recorded SS+" of
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rainfall the last six months of 2018, 93" for the entire calendar year. A large portion of the
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collection system associated with the NEBR utilizes gravity sewer which during extreme
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rainfall and extended saturation, is prone to inflow and infiltration (I&I). Brunswick County,
as the permit holder, has stressed through our quarterly meetings with the participants in the
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regional system the importance of I&I reduction. Several participants have initiated studies
and/or have implemented improvements to combat I&I. As you are aware during Hurricane
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Florence large areas of the regional collection system were flooded, and we have encountered
groundwater tables that continue to be extremely high h ever since. Since the storm, 1- to 22"
rainfall . events have caused water to perch in areas for days if -not not weeks.
However, the NEBR facility has been compliant for all monitored parameters throughout
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this year even with the record rainfall and flows: Subsequently, the monthl avera e flow for
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nary 2019 (through January 29) has dropped by over 400,000 gpd and will average below
the permitted 2.475 MGD. Brunswick County understands the importance of providing the
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needed treatment capacity for all participants within the regionals stem and began expansion
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plans, by choosing an engineering firm to move forward with a preliminary engineering re ort
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whichw'as approved by the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners in April of 2017.
Brunswick County and its participants. chose a 2.5 MGD expansion in early .. 2018 and we
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continue moving forward with the prof ect. We aticipate completing the desi n and
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permitting phase in the autumn of 2019 anal beginning'construction in January of 2 . y 020.
J�S�jICK CS,� � ..
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Ms. Morella Sanchez -King
Page 2
February 4, 2019
We respectfully request that the Division take these extraordinary circumstances into
consideration and the fact that other than hydraulic capacity, the facility has been in
compliance with permit limits. We also respectfully request the Division waive any
associated penalties.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [phone] or by e-mail
<j ohn.nichols@brunswickcountync. gov>.
Sincerely,
John Nichols, PE, CPESC
Director of Public Utilities
cc via e-mail: Ann Hardy, County Manager
Julie Miller, Director of Fiscal Operations
Frank Williams, County Commissioner Chair
Donald Dixon, Deputy Director -Wastewater Operations
The Honorable Mike Allen, Mayor of Belville
Athina Williams, Belville Town Administrator
Bob Walker, Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer 112GO Executive Director
Jeff Gerkin, Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO Chair
David Hollis, Leland Town Manager _
The. Honorable Brenda Bozeman, Mayor of Leland
The Honorable Eulis Willis, Mayor of Navassa
Charlena Alston, Navassa Town Clerk
The. Honorable James Knox, Mayor of Northwest
Donna Strickland, Northwest City Clerk