WQCS00129_NOV-2019-DV-0249 Response_20190617 (2)

Joseph Scott, Mayor
Commissioners
Harlie Carmichael
Mayor Pro Tempore
Vicky Darden
Steve Wiggins
Barbara Kornegay
Dennis Draper
June 17, 2019
Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Washington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington NC 27889
RE: NOV-2019-DV-0249
Dear Mr. Tankard:
I am writing in response to the above NOV.
Tel. • 919-658-5561
Tel. - 919-658-9539
Fax - 919-658-5257 q
Charles S. Brown
Town Manager
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On the night of June 9, 2019, we suffered a complete failure of all four pumps at out influent pump
station. The duration of the problem was exacerbated by the fact that our internet connection that would
normally have notified our personnel within minutes of the problem also went down. All pumps are up
and running now and have been checked and serviced. AT&T has replaced all wiring for our internet
connection. The problem was a result of improperly installed wiring on the outside of the office building
that had actually melted and fused together. We have signed a contract to have the AT&T service
replaced with a wireless modem. Dorsett Technologies will be installing the wireless modem.
Withersravenel engineers have submitted the final documentation to the USDA to apply for funding
assistance for a $5.7 million project to address ongoing issues at our wastewater treatment plant. Senator
James Perry, Representative John Bell and Representative Raymond are working with us to secure grant
funding from Golden Leaf and the NC Department of Commerce. The USDA has indicated they can
provide up to 70% grant funding for any unfunded amount from other sources. This project will involve
removal of all trees on the land application site and a replacement with a crop suitable for a spray
irrigation system. The plant head works will be modified and expanded. Aeration basins will be modified
to allow compliance operating SOP. Issues with liners in the 28MG storage lagoon and the 5MG upset
pond are being address as well.
You will recall that on February 26, 2019, Mayor Joe Scott, Wayne County Development Alliance Mark
Pope and I met with DEQ Secretary Michael Regan and Deputy Director Jim Gregson to discuss funding
options to address ongoing issues at the Mount Olive WWTP. The sources I outlined above are a result of
that meeting.
Part of my discussion with Deputy Director Gregson involved our discharge limit to the NE Cape Fear
have brought this up several times before and I believe the Deputy Director agrees with me that the I
MGD discharge limit is too restrictive. Our treatment plant with all of its issues still produces a better
quality effluent that the water in the NE Cape Fear. We would ask that DEQ consider an adjustment in
this limit at least until we are able to address issues with our land application site.
As you can see, we are making substantial progress toward correcting major issues at our WWTP. We
hope you will agree that further fines will simply take fiords away from our efforts to make this plant
114 East James Street • Post Office Box 939 • Mount Olive, North Carolina 28365

what it was intended to be from the start. The Town will have to take on nearly $1 million in additional
debt service to fix these issues. Please consider this as you consider further fines for this violation.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerch'.
l P�\�
Charles Brown
Town Manager
Copies: Mayor Joe Scott
DEQ Secretary Michael Regan
DEQ Deputy Director Jim Gregson
WWTP ORC Glenn Holland
Collections ORC Henry Vann
Special Projects Director Jammie Royall