SDTF9501_NOV_20190424

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Waste Management 217 West Jones Street | 1646 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1646 919.707.8200

April 24, 2019

CERTIFIED MAIL 7005 0390 0001 3531 7671
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Mike Garlock
Kim Pierson
Triple T Pumping
1372 NC Highway 194 N
Boone, NC 28607

SUBJECT: Notice of Violation
Complaint Investigation
Triple T Pumping
SDTF-95-01
Watauga County

Dear Mr. Garlock & Ms. Pierson:

On April 11, 2019, in response to a compliant, Andrew Blethen, Environmental Health Supervisor,
Appalachian Health District conducted an investigation at the Triple T facility located at Troy Norris Road,
Boone, Watauga County. During the investigation, a small stream of water was observed coming out of a
black plastic culvert and travelling downhill for approximately 75 feet before it dissipated. The standing
water below the culvert was described as having a “greenish” tint and smelled of wastewater.

The following violation was noted:

15A North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC) 13B .0838(j) states:

“Septage shall be transferred to and from a detention system in a manner that prevents leaks or spills of
septage onto the ground surface or exterior surface of the detention system, including septage in pipes
used for transferring waste to and from vehicles.”

Triple T Pumping was in violation of 15A NCAC 13B .0838(j) because septage from the dewatering facility
operating under Septage Management Permit Number SDTF-95-01 flowed onto the ground away from
the facility on April 11, 2019.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality | Division of Waste Management 217 West Jones Street | 1646 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1646 919.707.8200
Triple T Pumping
Notice of Violation
Page 2 of 2
March 21, 2019

The above deficiency may have or can compromise the facility’s ability to ensure protection of the public
health and the environment and thus require remedial action on behalf of the facility in order to maintain
compliance with 15A NCAC 13B .0841(g). In order to resolve these issues, Triple T Pumping must take the
following corrective actions:

1. By May 4, 2019, Contact Troy Harrison at 828-296-4701 to arrange a meeting at the site on Troy
Norris Road to discuss an appropriate course of action to prevent leaks or spills of septage onto
the ground surface or off site. Options that can be considered are, but not limited to: A berm to
keep leachate on site; a written maintenance plan; a daily checklist/inspection log; consultation
with a certified storm water consultant.

The violations listed above were observed by Section staff and require action on behalf of the facility in
order to come into or maintain compliance with the Statutes, Rules, and/or other regulatory requirements
applicable to this facility. Be advised that pursuant to N.C.G.S. 130A-22, an administrative penalty of up
to $15,000 per day may be assessed for each violation of the Solid Waste Laws, Regulations, Conditions
of a Permit, or Order under Article 9 of Chapter 130A of the N.C. General Statutes. Further, the facility
and/or all responsible parties may also be subject to enforcement actions including penalties, injunction
from operation of a solid waste management facility or a solid waste collection service and any such
further relief as may be necessary to achieve compliance with the North Carolina Solid Waste
Management Act and Rules.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 828-296-4701 or e-mail [e-mail]

Sincerely,

Troy Harrison
Environmental Specialist II
Division of Waste Management - Solid Waste Section

copies: Adam Ulishney, Environmental Compliance Branch Head
Chester Cobb, Environmental Compliance Branch
Connie Wylie, Environmental Compliance Branch
Andrew Blethen, Appalachian Health District
files