HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0051322_LV-2020-0227_20200831ROY COOPER
G-owrior
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Serrriary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Certified Mail # 7016 3560 0000 4428 6291
Return Receipt Requested
J Bryce Mendenhall, VP of Operations
Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina
PO Box 240908
Charlotte, NC 28217
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
August 31, 2020
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty
for Violations of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6)
and NPDES WW Permit No. N00051322
Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina
Ashley Hills WWTP
Case No. LV-2020-0227
Wake County
Dear Permittee:
This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $1,030.41 ($1,000.00 civil
penalty + $30.41 enforcement costs) against Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina.
This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the Discharge Monitoring Report
(DMR) submitted by Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina for the month of April 2020. This review has shown
the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in NPDES WW
Permit No. NC0051322. The violations, which occurred in April 2020, are summarized in Attachment A to this letter.
Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina violated the
terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NCO051322 and G.S. 143-215. 1 (a)(6) in the manner and
extent shown in Attachment A. In accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(a)(2), a civil penalty
may be assessed against any person who violates the terms, conditions or requirements of a permit required by G.S.
143-215.1(a).
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Based upon the above Findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by the
Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, 1, Scott
Vinson, Regional Supervisor, Raleigh Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against
Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina:
750.00 3 of 3 violations of G.S. 143-215. 1 (a)(6) and Permit No. NCO051322, by discharging waste water
into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Daily Maximum for BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C)
- Concentration
$250.00 1 of 1 violations of G.S. 143-215. 1 (a)(6) and Permit No. NCO051322, by discharging waste water
into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Daily Maximum for Coliform, Fecal MF,
MFC Broth, 44.5 C
0.00 0 of 1 violations of G.S. 143-215. I (a)(6) and Permit No. NCO051322, by discharging waste water
into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Monthly Average for BOD, 5-Dav (20 Deg.
C) - Concentration
$1,000.000 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY
30.41 Enforcement Costs
1 030.41 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE
Pursuant to G.S. 143-2I5.6A(c), in determining the amount of the penalty I have taken into account the Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law and the factors set forth at G.S. 14313-282.1(b), which are:
(1) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private property
resulting from the violation;
(2) The duration and gravity of the violation;
(3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality;
(4) The cost of rectifying the damage;
(5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance;
(6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally;
(7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental
Management Commission has regulatory authority; and
(8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures.
Within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following:
(1) Submit payment of the penalty, OR
(2) Submit a written request for remission, OR
(3) Submit a written request for an administrative hearing
Option 1: Submit payment of the penalty:
Payment should be made directly to the order of the Department of Environmental Quality (do not inchufe waiver
form). Payment of the penalty will not foreclose further enforcement action for any continuing or new violation(s).
Please submit payment to the attention of:
Wastewater Branch
Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Option 2: Submit a written request for remission or mitigation including a detailed justification for such
request:
Please be aware that a request for remission is limited to consideration of the five factors listed below as they may
relate to the reasonableness of the amount of the civil penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the proper
procedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual statements contained in
the civil penalty assessment document. Because a remission request forecloses the option of an administrative hearing,
such a request must be accompanied by a waiver of your right to an administrative hearing and a stipulation and
agreement that no factual or legal issues are in dispute. Please prepare a detailed statement that establishes why you
believe the civil penalty should be remitted, and submit it to the Division of Water Resources at the address listed below,
In determining whether a remission request will be approved, the following factors shall be considered:
(1) whether one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in NCGS 143B-282.I(b) was wrongfully
applied to the detriment of the petitioner;
(2) whether the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation;
(3) whether the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident;
(4) whether the violator had been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations; or
(5) whether payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions.
Please note that all evidence presented in support of your request for remission must be submitted in writing. The
Director of the Division of Water Resources will review your evidence and inform you of his decision in the matter of
your remission request. The response will provide details regarding the case status, directions for payment, and
provision for further appeal of the penalty to the Environmental Management Commission's Committee on Civil Penalty
Remissions (Committee). Please be advised that the Committee cannot consider information that was not part of the
original remission request considered by the Director. Therefore, it is very important that you prepare a complete and
thorough statement in support of your request for remission.
In order to reguest remissionyou must complete and submit the enclosed "Request for Remission of Civil Penalties
Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing. and Stipulation of Facts" form within _thirty Ldays of receipt of this
notice. The Division of Water Resources also requests that you complete and submit the enclosed "Justification for
Remission Request."
Both forms should be submitted to the following address:
Wastewater Branch
Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Option 3: File a petition for an administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearin s:
If you wish to contest any statement in the attached assessment document you must file a petition for an administrative
hearing. You may obtain the petition form from the Office of Administrative Hearings. You must file the petition with
the Office of Administrative Hearings within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice. A petition is considered filed
when it is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings during normal office hours. The Office of Administrative
Hearings accepts filings Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except for official state
holidays. The petition may be filed by facsimile (fax) or electronic mail by an attached file (with restrictions) - provided
the signed original, one (1) copy and a filing fee (if a filing fee is required by NCGS § 15013-23.2) is received in the
Office of Administrative Hearings within seven (7) business days following the faxed or electronic transmission. You
should contact the Office of Administrative Hearings. with all questions regarding the _filing fee and/or the details of the
filing process.
The mailing address and telephone and fax numbers for the Office of Administrative Hearings are as follows:
6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 6714
Tel: (919) 431-3000
Fax: (919) 431-3100
One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DEQ as follows:
Mr. William F. Lane, General Counsel
Department of Environmental Quality
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601
Please indicate the case number (as found on page one of this letter) on the petition.
Failure to exercise one of the options above within thirty (30) days of receipt of this letter, as evidenced by an internal
date/time received stamp (not a postmark), will result in this matter being referred to the Attorney General's Office for
collection of the penalty through a civil action. Please be advised that additional penalties may be assessed for violations
that occur after the review period of this assessment.
If you have any questions, please contact Zachary Thomas with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Raleigh
Regional Office at (919) 791-4200 or via email at zachary.thomasCa ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: WQS Raleigh Regional Office - Enforcement File
Laserfiche
JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION RED
Case Number: LV-2020-0227 County: Wake
Assessed Party: Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina
Permit No.: NC0051322 Amount Assessed: $1,030.41
Please use this form when requesting remission of this civil penalty. You must also complete the "Request For Remission,
Maiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing, and Stipulation of Facts" form to request remission of this civil penalty.
You should attach any documents that you believe support your request and are necessary for the Director to consider in
evaluating your request for remission. Please be aware that a request for remission is limited to consideration of the five
factors listed below as they may relate to the reasonableness of the amount of the civil penalty assessed. Requesting
remission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual
statements contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 14313-282.1(c), remission of a civil
penalty may be granted only when one or more of the following five factors apply. Please check each factor that you
believe applies to your case and provide a detailed explanation, including copies of supporting documents, as to why the
factor applies (attach additional pages as needed).
(a) one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in N.C.G.S. 14313-282.1(b) were wrongfully applied to the
detriment of the petitioner (tire assessment factors are listed in the civil penalty assessment docrrnrent);
(b) the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation (i.e., eaplairr the
steps that you took to correct the violation and prevent future Occu rences);
_ (c) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident (i.e., explain wiry the violation was unavoidable or
something you could not prevent or prepare for );
(d) the violator had not been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations;
(e) payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions (i.e,, explain
horn payruent of the civil penalty will prevent you fr•oru performing the activities necessary to achieve
compliance).
EXPLANATION:
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
COUNTY OF WAKE
IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN
OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND
STIPULATION OF FACTS
Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina )
Ashley Hills WWTP )
PERMIT NO. NCO051322 ) CASE NO, LV-2020-0227
Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $1,030.41 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the
Division of Water Resources dated August 31, 2020, the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the civil penalty, does
hereby waive the right to an administrative hearing in the above -stated matter and does stipulate that the facts are as
alleged in the assessment document. The undersigned further understands that all evidence presented in support of
remission of this civil penalty must be submitted to the Director of the Division of Water Resources within thirty (30) days
of receipt of the notice of assessment. No new evidence in support of a remission request will be allowed after (30) days
from the receipt of the notice of assessment.
This the
day of
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
SIGNATURE
,20
ATTACHMENT A
Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina
CASE NUMBER: LV-2020-0227
PERMIT:
NCO051322
REGION:
Raleigh
FACILITY:
Ashley Hills WWTP
COUNTY:
Wake
LIMIT VIOLATION(S)
SAMPLE LOCATION: Outfall 001 - Effluent
Violation
Report
Unit of
Limit
Calculated % Over
Violation
Penalty
Date
MonthlYr Parameter
Frequency
Measure
Value
Value
Limit
Type
Amount
411l2020
4-2020 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg.
3 X week
mgll
7.50
10
33.3
Daily
$250.00
C) - Concentration
Maximum
Exceeded
4/7/2020
4-2020 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg.
3 X week
mg/1
7.50
15
100.0
Daily
$250.00
C) - Concentration
Maximum
Exceeded
4/9/2020
4-2020 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg.
3 X week
mgll
7.50
15
100.0
Daily
$250.00
C) - Concentration
Maximum
Exceeded
4/30/2020
4-2020 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg.
3 X week
mgll
5
5.14
2.8
Monthly
$0.00
C) - Concentration
Average
Exceeded
4/29/2020
4-2020 Coliform, Fecal MF,
3 X week
#/100ml
400
2,420
505.0
Daily
$250.00
MFC Broth, 44.5 C
Maximum
Exceeded
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT
Violator: Carolina Water Service Inc of North Carolina
FacilityName: Ashley Hills WWTP
Permit Number: NCO051322
County: Wake
Case Number: LV-2020-0227
ASSESSMENT FACTORS
1) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private
property resulting from the violation;
No known damage to the environment, public health or private property. However, discharging effluent exceeding permit
limits increases risk of adverse impacts to waters of the state.
2) The duration and gravity of the violation;
Daily Maximum limit for BOD, 5-Day was exceeded on 4;`1 by 33.3%, 4.7 by 100%, and 4±9 by 100% for April 2020.
Daily Maximum for Fecal Coliform was exceeded on 4129 by 505% for April 2020. � ,�� ,fie-*xc�ro%
3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; 'f ze-v - ram -'�q ,4vr Art
do A..W .30 Zc20.
The receiving waters for the authorized effluent discharge is Poplar Creek classified C-NSW in tie Neuse River Basin.
The effects on water quantity or quality because of these permit limit exceedance violations include increased risk to
impact waters of the state.
4) The cost of rectifying the damage;
The cost of rectifying the damage is not documented.
5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance;
It is not believed that any money was saved by these violations.
6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally;
It is not believed that the violations were committed willfully or intentionally.
7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the
Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority; and
There have been 4 penalty assessments issued in the past 12 months to the permittee for violations occurring at Ashley
Hills WWTP.
S) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures.
$30.41
.j f - P20 20 2.n �t•z�ya.c_ !
Date Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Raleigh Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ