NC0021369_NOV-2020-LV-0037 Response_20200128

January 28, 2020
G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
2090 U.S. Highway 70 West
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Dear Mr. Davidson:
I received the
attached NOTICE
OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO
ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY, (NOV-2020-LV-0037)
on January 20.
am aware of
the incident that
have led to this NOV.
There was no Abnormal condition with the plant except a 10 degree temperature change on the day of the violation.
Influent BOD 1000mg/I and TSS 2000 mg/I. Effluent BOD 10 mg/I and TSS 16 mg/land chlorine residual was 32 ug/I. It
seems we have this problem every few months. The basin is being dredged now to remove solids from the plant. We
have six 50' x 30' around bags that are being filled now. Work on the basin should be complete this week We believe this
is the main problem.
Thanl<you
for
your time and consideration.
If you have any questions or concerns, or need any additional information,
please
do
not
hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Gj'.e�.yyGgs Z^
TimothyJ. Barth A
Town Manager
Encl

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3FD65084-8923-4EF4-8043-C67A906D3757
Certified Mail #7017 2620 0000 9759 3462
Return Receipt Requested
January 17, 2020
Tim Barth, Town Manager
Town of Columbus
PO Box 146
Columbus, NC 28722
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVYL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2020-LV-0037
Permit No. NCO021369
Columbus WWTP
Polk County
DearPermittee:
A review of the November 2019 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 Value Type of Violation
001 Effluent Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC Broth, 11/9/2019 400 600 Weekly Geometric Mean Exceeded
44.5 C (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 WW 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.
R C;'

DocuSign Envelope In 3FD65084-8923-4EF4-B043-C67A906D3757
If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or
discuss overall compliance please respond in writing within ten 10 business days after receipt of this Notice. A
review of your response will be considered along with any information provided on the submitted Monitoring
Report(s). You will then be notified of any civil penalties that may be assessed regarding the violations. If no
response is received in this Office within the 10-day period, a civil 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.
If you have any questions concerning this matter or to apply for an SOC, please contact Mikal Willmer of the
Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500,
Sincerely,
oaousignea oy:
]E61 ]A]62BSBOfiC...
G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
EC: WQS-ARO Server, LF
G:\WR\WQ\Polk\Wastewater\Municipal\Columbus WWiP 21369\Violations\2019\NC0021369_NOVNOI2020LV0037_20200117