WQ0028681_NOV-2020-PC-0437 Response_20201026

I! n^147-4
OF SIIg~O Town of
7949
Douglas C. Medlin, Mayor
William J. (Buddy) Fowler, Mayor Pro-Tem
Dwight Torres, Councilman
Tom Tharrington, Asst. Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Subject: Notice of Violation Town of Surf City Response
Tracking Number NOV-2020-PC-0437
Wastewater Collection System Extension
Permit No. WQ0028681
Anchors Watch at Saltwater Landing Section 5
Pender County
Mr. Tharrington,
201 COMMUNITY CENTER
POST OFFICE BOX 2475
SURF CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 28445
(910) 328,41311 FAX [phone]
Donald R. Helms, Councilman
Teresa B. Batts, Councilwoman
Jeremy Shugarts, Councilman
This response is regarding the Notice of Violation (NOV-200-PC-0437) issued to Surf City for the referenced
project and associated permit. The actions causing the violation were a direct oversight on behalf of the Town of
Surf City and Stroud Engineering. Based on my investigation of the matter, during this time period, the Town had
major personnel changes to include two separate town managers and the transition of a new public works/utilities
director. Also, after the direct hit of Hurricane Florence in 2018, many town operations were disrupted which may
have led to the oversight noted, and of further note, when this was discovered, it was immediately rectified. The
Town can assert that the collection system designed and tested was in accordance with state guidelines before it
was put into operations.
Steps have been taken to prevent this from happening in the future. These include reorganization of the
utility department to add more administrative personnel and internal procedure adjustments to require utility
related work and permitting to be directly handled by the utilities director under the general guidance of the town
manager. All proposed utility extensions will follow the same standardized process within utility department to
ensure all proper steps are being taken before occupancy can occur.
The Town of Surf City understands that this may have been avoided. It is our hope that this explanation
and justification demonstrates that proper protocols have been put in place to ensure this does not occur again
and therefore, would respectfully request consideration of not issuing civil penalties or fines. If you need more
detailed information concerning this matter, please contact myself or David Price, Director of Utilities, at 910-340-
1708.
Rega ds,
I Breuer, AICP
Town Manager
Town of Surf City
910-328-4131