100005_Response to Notice_20180905

Miguez, Kristin
From: Elkin, Dave <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 5, 2018 12:02 PM
To: Lawson, Christine; Powell, David C
Cc: King, Morella s; Miguez, Kristin; Meilinger, Michael J, Jones, Terry
Subject: RE: [External] RE: 10-5 and 10-33
Individuals from my team will be on site to address the issues this week.
There are 5 areas of interest that have been discussed:
10-33 bell swamp
1) North- west corner of west dike seepage. Described in the previous letter. (repair to cut off seepage)
2) North- east corner correct dike height approximately 4" to repair settlement and regain freeboard close to
original embankment height
3) South dike — evaluate to dike west of irrigation pump. This area was identified while it was extremely wet as an
area of interest. I believe due to rain and ground water. There was no observed waste water or flowing water
here.
10-05 Ward
4) East end of the north dike- evaluate soundness of the lagoon, and certify that the vegetation resisted erosion at
the low spot and the exterior embankment
5) South dike — evaluate the area near the irrigation pump and hydrant.
As these areas are evaluated and addressed if other concerns arise, we will communicate and make those repairs while
on site.
Staff gages:
Both sites staff gages have been re -set as of 8/28 to accurately reflect the current conditions. (each was lowered
slightly)
The 10-33 lagoon with be re -set again when the corrective action 2) is complete and field verified. This will
restore approximately 4" of freeboard, which has been lost.
Site 10-05 is accurate today, this top of dike is very uniform and has excellent vegetation. No modification to
this lagoon are recommended.
These lagoons have been tested by mother nature at nearly the most extreme hydraulic loading possible. When these
lagoons are operated within the designed freeboard levels of approximately 19" to 48", there will be less hydraulic
pressure than what they have already sustained. Once the actions above are completed, it is my professional opinion
that the lagoons will be fully functional as originally designed and permitted.
Should you have and questions or need further clarification please let me know.
Regards,
Dave

Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
For any emergency, which requires immediate reporting after normal business hours, contact must be made with the
Division of Emergency Management at 1-800-858-0368.
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and
may be disclosed to third parties.
From: Elkin, Dave [mailt'o:delkin _smithfield.comj
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 5:19 PM
To: Powell, David C <David.Powell a ncdenr.gov>; Jones, Terry <tiones@smlthfield com>
Cc: Lawson, Christine <[e-mail]>; King, Morella s <[e-mail]>; Miguez,
Kristin <[e-mail]>; Meilinger, Michael J <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] RE: 10-5 and 10-33
David,
Please find the attached letter regarding the assessment of the dikes, measures taken and planned at Mr. Wards farms.
At this time I feel that adequate freeboard has been achieved to safely resume operation of these facilities, which is
outlined in the letter. Also in the letter are the steps which are proposed to permanently address the observed
seepage. Please respond letting me know if you have additional concerns, need further information, or concur with the
proposed next steps.
Regards,
Dave
From: Powell, David C <David,[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2018 4:40 PM
To: Elkin, Dave <[e-mail]>
Cc: Christine Lawson <Christine.Lawson a ncdenr.gov>; King, Morelia s <morelIa. [e-mail]>; Miguez,
Kristin <[e-mail]>; Meilinger, Michael J <[e-mail]>
Subject: 10-5 and 10-33
Mr. Elkin, per our conversation today, I believe these are the problems that need addressing with these farms. An
engineer will need to either sign off on the structural integrity of these lagoon structures on these farms or a repair plan
submitted to DWR for approval and then documentation of the structural integrity after the repair is
complete. Obviously 10-5 waste level gauge was off and needs to be reset to read the correct level and 10-33 needs to
be checked as well and documentation/engineer stamped, provided stating this has been satisfied. I am unsure if

Dave Elkin
Smithfield,.
Dir of Engineering
600took. RtspoKsib('
5mith(ield HPO
2822 Hwy 24 West
Warsaw, NC 28398
[phone] te1
910) 284 1740 mobile
August 29, 2018
David Powell
North Carolina Dept of Environmental Quality
Water Resources
127Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, NC 28405-3845
Re: Farms 10-5 & 10-33
Due to excessive rainfall over previous months, both of the farms 10-5 and 10-33 accumulated water well into the
structure freeboard zone on to August 1, 2018, when I first visited these sites. On August 9th I again visited this site,
observing that greater than 12 inches of freeboard had been achieve at each lagoon. During both visits I walked the
lagoon perimeters to assess any issues with the embankment. Additionally, survey crew members of the engineering
department have made multiple trips to the site to makes observations and measurement on my behalf. With the most
recent trip on August 28, 2018, the staff gages were corrected to reflect an accurate freeboard based of the lowest
elevation of the current dike levels.
A freeboard of greater than 36" has been achieved in all lagoons associated with this facility.
Consistent with the observations made by Mr. Young, PE, with the Division of Soil and Water, I concur that the dams
appear to be well constructed with an excellent stand of perennial vegetation covering the top of the dam and the
downstream slope. The dike width ( >=10 feet), slope (approximately 3:1 or flatter), and height (less than 6 feet) allow
for the conclusion that these dikes are appropriately designed and constructed.
With no observed erosion, evidence of piping, boils, or sink holes, it is my professional evaluation that these
embankments demonstrate the appropriate structural integrity. When operated at design freeboard levels between
19" to 48", the observed seepage has ceased to be observable at the soil surface along the embankment toe.
Mr. Ward plans to have the liner areas where seepage was observed repaired before October 1, 2018. The freeboard
will be maintained below 24" until this repair is completed. Having been on site, reviewed the Division of Soil and Water
evaluation, and had staff at these site multiple times observing the embankments and associated freeboard, it is my
professional opinion that these lagoons are safe to resume utilization as designed and permitted.
The following procedure is proposed to repair the clay liner, so that the observed seepage does not occur in the future
regardless of freeboard level.
1) Pump water out of the lagoon as quickly as conditions will allow. The goal should be to achieve approximately 48
inches of freeboard or more. This may require going slightly below the stop pump level of normal operation to
allow for the repairs.
a. As freeboard level moved to greater than 30 inches the ponded area associated with seepage has been
observed to dry out.
b. The goal is to reach 48 inches of freeboard will be September 10, 2018.
2) Upon reaching the 48-inch level, the upper portion of the liner shall be repaired to eliminate any further potential
seepage.

Miguez, Kristin
From: Gene Ward <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2018 3:40 PM
To: Miguez, Kristin
Subject: Re: [External] Gene Ward Farm 10-5
Thankyou
Mrs. Miguez for your response
I appreciate you and staff helping me through this so I can get pigs back in my barns. We have had a beautiful 2.5 weeks
and took advantage of it.
But just wanted to say thank you and have a nice safe weekend.
Gene
Sent from my Phone
On Aug 31, 2018, at 1:47 PM, Miguez, Kristin <[e-mail]> wrote:
Thank you Mr. Ward. DWR will review the information provided and will let you know if we have any
questions or need additional information.
Enjoy your weekend,
Kristin Miguez
From: gene ward [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2018 11:41 AM
To: Miguez, Kristin <kristin.miauez(@ncdenr.eov>
Subject: [External] Gene Ward Farm
I have attached the information we documented regarding the lagoons. The press
release date was incorrect as it was 8/1/18 when the discharge first occurred. The
document attached will show how we came to our estimation of the volume that was
discharged from the lagoon. There was not a continuous discharge from 8/1 to 8/3 as
we were able to irrigate over the fields to lower the lagoon level below the lowest spot
on the dike. However, discharge did occur again as more rainfall occurred on 8/3.
Please let me know of any further information required.
<Lagoon Report.pdf>

Description of discharge:
a. Discharge was noticed from lagoon August I st following rainfall received that morning. Wastewater
from lagoon was slowly moving over the NW corner of the dike into a drain. The drain connected to a
pipe which led into ditching on the farm. Another discharge was visible on August 3`d after rainfall that
morning.
Path of discharge:
Estimated volume of discharge:
Took 34 seconds to fill a 5 gallon bucket, flowing from drain pipe where discharge occurred,
full on three seperate occasions.
Time: 34 seconds/60 = .566 minutes to fill bucket
Discharge: 5 gallons/.566 minutes= 8.83 gallons per minute
Total Discharge August I":
l 1 am-7pm=8 hours 8*60=480 minutes of discharge
480*8.83= 4,238 gallons of wastewater discharged
Total discharge August 31:
11:30 am-3:45pm= 255 minutes of discharge
Time 37 seconds to fill 5 gallon bucket
37/60= .616 minutes to fill bucket 5 gallons/.616 minutes= 8.11 gallons per minute
255*8.11= 2,068 gallons discharged.
Total estimated discharge: 4,238 + 2,068= 6,306 total gallons of wastewater discharged

b. The discharge was first noticed on August 1" at I l am. Discharge was stopped on August 1" at 7:00
pm after dirt was used to block off the ditch.
Another discharge began on the morning of August 3rd at 1 1:30 am. Discharge was stopped on August
3id at 12:30 pm after dirt was used to block off ditch.
Discharge was noticeable again on August 3rd at 3:OOpm. More dirt was used to contain wastewater on
farm and solidified the ditch barrier by 3:45pm.
c. Discharge was caused from precipitation received on the following dates, as recorded from rain
gauge:
July 301h: 2.8 inches of rain (no discharge)
July 31": 3.7 inches of rain (no discharge)
August I": I inch of rainfall (discharge first noticed)
August 2": 1 inch of rainfall (no discharge)
August 3rd: 3 inches of rainfall (discharge noticed again)
d. Steps taken to prevent discharge:
August 1"
Smithfield began moving hogs at Bell Swamp Farms. At 6:OOpm, two men with the use of a backhoe
began moving dirt to block off ditch where overflow occurred. At 7:OOpm, workers completed blocking
off ditch to prevent overflow from leaving the ditch. While repairing ditch worker measured flow rate
out of drain pipe where discharge occurred. Both lagoons were irrigated over fields on August I" and
2nd to reduce lagoon levels.
August 2"d:
Workers came to set up pump in lagoon to remove wastewater by truck, Two truck loads of wastewater
were removed and transferred to another lagoon in White Oak, NC. Wastewater blocked off in ditch
was pumped out and in to pits of hog houses in Bell Swamp Farms with the use of trucks.
August 3`d:
Thad Miller came to inspect Bell Swamp lagoon at 9am. At 12:OOpm 4 truck loads of dirt were
delivered for use in blocking off ditch to prevent wastewater from leaving farm. At 12:30pm 2 workers
with the use of a backhoe blocked off ditch. With discharge present, now rate out of pipe was once
again measured. At 12:45pm two truck loads of dirt were delivered to Bell Swamp Farm. Four men
with the use of a backhoe and shovels began working to increase dike in the lowest corner. At 3:30pm
workers completed raising the dikes lowest corner 4 inches. Workers continued to move wastewater
and transfer to lagoon site in White Oak, NC. 38 truck loads were transferred. Smithfield has removed
all hogs from houses at Bell Swamp and Gene Ward Farms.

August 4":
Workers began trasnferring wastewater at 6:30am and concluded at 7pm. 37 truck loads were moved.
August 5ih:
Workers began trasnferring wastewater at 6:30am and concluded at 7pm. 39 truck loads were moved.
August 6":
Workers began trasnferring wastewater at 6:30am and concluded at 7pm. 47 truck loads were moved.
With the use of a reel, 2 inches of wastewater were transferred from Bell Swamp lagoon to Gene Ward
lagoon.
August 71":
Workers began trasnferring wastewater at 6:30am and concluded at 7pm. 49 truck loads were moved.
With the use of a reel, 3 inches of wastewater were transferred from Bell Swamp lagoon to Gene Ward
lagoon.
August 8"':
Workers began trasnferring wastewater at 6:30am and concluded at 6pm. 78 truck loads were moved.
Irrigation pivots were enabled to irrigate wastewater over fields.

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