NC0025542_NOV and Intent to Assess_20200421

ROY COOPER
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MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
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NORTH CAROLWA
Environmental Quality
Certified Mail #7018 0360 0002 2099 7873
Return Receipt Requested
April 21, 2020
Shawn Pennell
Assistant Pubic Services Manager/Public Utilities
City of Hickory
PO Box 398
Hickory, NC 28603
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2020-LV-0302
Permit No. NCO025542
Catawba WWTP
Catawba County
Dear Mr. Pennell:
A review of the February 2020 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
Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as
2/8/2020
6
6.72
Weekly Average Exceeded
N) - Concentration (C0610)
001 Effluent
Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as
2/15/2020
6
8.94
Weekly Average Exceeded
N) - Concentration (C0610)
001 Effluent
Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as
2/29/2020
2
5.22
Monthly Average Exceeded
N) - Concentration (C0610)
NorthCatoAnaDepart mentofEwronmentalQasi@y I DlvisionofWaterResouices
ffooresvlle Reg io�l Office 1 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 1 MooiesWr e, North Carohas 23115
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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.
If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or
discuss overall compliance please respond in writing within sixty (60) 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 60-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 Wes Bell of the
Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-1699.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
A14CC681AF27425...
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office - Enforcement File (Laserfiche)
NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File (Laserfiche)
NortGCaro raDepart meP..tofErv:rorb rnentsrQuslity I Divsi000fWsterResources
_ Mooresv afi ,Dra Off.ce 1610 East Center Awaue, 3ude 3O1 I M.00resv�ie, No rth C'arodna 23115
�'� °'� 704£6._-1699