WQ0033589_Correspondence_20200203

00.
NORTH•CAROLINA
AQUARIUMS
FORT FISHER • PINE KNOLL SHORES • ROANOKE ISLAND • JENNETTE'S PIER
MAIN OFFICE: 3125 Poplarwood Ct, Raleigh, NC 28512 • [phone] • Fax: (919) 981-S224
www.ncaquariums.com
February 3, 2020
Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Washington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Mr. Tankard:
We are in the process of paying the penalty for the following infractions:
Case No. LV-2019-0377 Jennette's Pier WWTP Total Monthly Avg N exceeded
$149.29
Case No. LV-2019-0378 Jennette's Pier WWTP BOD, daily max exceeded
$195.29 Total Monthly Avg P exceeded
We would like to include a brief explanation of the events that led to the violations.
Prior to 2019, we were only required to take twice monthly samples to send to the lab for
the official monitoring report, although we often sampled more frequently. Previously, if a
problem was noted we had more time to make adjustments to the system and correct any
problems before the official sampling was to take place. As of 2019, we are now required
by permit to sample weekly for the monitoring report. Adjustments to the carbon feed
system which controls total nitrogen are incremental and daily, but often take 4-5 days to
see results. This lag time makes it extremely difficult to make substantial corrections in
one week. As for the total phosphorus being high in August, that directly relates to the
delayed shipment of Delpac (alum) we use to adjust the phosphorus level.
The daily maximum on BOD reported by the lab (EnviroChem) in early August seemed
extreme and anomalous at the time, but we sent the results of the sample off in the
monthly report anyway. Recently, after EnviroChem produced a similarly anomalous
result of extremely high ammonia from one of our December samples, our technician and
the lab director at EnviroChem agreed it was probably a lab error and they are running the
ammonia test again. Based on that, we now think the BOD reading in early August was a
lab error due to the subsequent BOD readings in August being so low as to be
undetectable. In the future, we will ask for a retest if values seem anomalous.
+ 'iC OEFAF7 Y:Y"OL CCA EVITL14 BY TH F
+n"�I VAfVItAL A:r']cLE'yqhL A_SLJF.ES I "ASSOCIATION
+ ROY COOPER, GOVERNOR • SUSI H. HAMILTON, SECRETARY • MAYLON WHITE, DIVISION DIRECTOR • OFZOOs&

ot.
NORTH,CAROLINA
AQUARIUMS
FORT FISHER * PINE KNOLL SHORES • ROANOKE ISLAND * JENNETTE'S PIER
MAIN OFFICE: 3125 Poplarwood Ct, Raleigh, NC 28512 * [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.ncaquariums.com
Since August 2019 there have been no further limits exceeded that would trigger a
violation notification. The system has been functioning well within normal operating
parameters.
Sincerely,
--7I,?-e--z 614j&�7
Maylon White
Division Director
NC Aquariums & Jennette's Pier
Cc: Phillip Feagan, General Counsel, DNCR
Michael Remige, Director, Jennette's Pier
I A.NCOFRSRIMENT pP ACCREVITI 11 BY TH F
RMuq .DCULiI1RILLRESpupCEs ASSOCIATION
+ ROY COOPER, GOVERNOR • SUSI H. HAMILTON, SECRETARY • MAYLON WHITE, DIVISION bIRECTOR • OFZOO$[�
AO1 PARILIP SO4