Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0045471_LV-2020-0284 Remission Request_20201125 October 27 2020 W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources,NCDEQ 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 Number NC0045471 Barium Springs Home for Children Barium Springs Home for Children WWTP Case No. LV-2020-0284 Iredell County Mr. Basinger, Thank you for allowing Barium Springs Home for Children the opportunity to respond to the Notice of Violation dated October 8, 2020;received October 19,2020. Our response below is in regard to the following infractions that occurred during the April 2020 period. The Barium Springs Home for Children experienced some changes in occupancy during this period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Due to the new social restrictions in place,there was low traffic through the facility. Overall usage was sparce and inconsistent. Recorded daily flow values remained well under 5,000 gallons; with the daily minimum reaching only 540 gallons, and the max being 4,800. Both bi-monthly BOD results exceeded the daily average on 1,000/gal flow days. This is problematic in the case of the flow dumping sporadically and disturbing the filter beds,per our ongoing awareness. Barium Springs had begun replacing the sand in Filter#2. It is currently plugged and the pipe is removed. Filter#2 will be online in 2-4 weeks. We believe that the following errors have been taken seriously by our staff and ameliorated in a thorough and timely matter. The incidents under review have been noted so that we can best maintain optimal procedure and avoid future noncompliance. It is always the goal of the Barium Springs Home for Children to remain in compliance with regulations set forth by the Division of Water Resources. It is our request that our cooperation and action in these matters be taken into account by the Division when proceeding with enforcement. Sincerely, 6C'e•S Greg Heaton Barium Springs Home for Children CC: Robert White,Envirolink Joshua Powers, Envirolink 41P- )10 children's hope ALLIANCE JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: LV-2020-0284 County: Iredell Assessed Party: Barium Springs Home for Children Permit No.: NC0045471 Amount Assessed: $1,010.28 Please use this form when requesting remission of this civil penalty. You must also complete the "Request For Remission, Waiver 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. § 143B-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. 143B-282.1(b)were wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner(the assessment factors are listed in the civil penalty assessment document); (b) the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation(i.e., explain the steps that you took to correct the violation and prevent future occurrences); X (c) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident(i.e., explain why 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 how payment of the civil penalty will prevent you from performing the activities necessary to achieve compliance). EXPLANATION: The Barium Springs Home for Children experienced some changes in occupancy during this period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the new social restrictions in place,there was low traffic through the facility. Overall usage was sparse and inconsistent. Recorded daily flow values remained well under 5,000 gallons;with the daily minimum reaching only 540 gallons, and the max being 4,800. Both bi-monthly BOD results exceeded the daily average on 1,000/gal flow days. This is problematic in the case of the flow dumping sporadically and disturbing the filter beds,per our ongoing awareness. Barium Springs had begun replacing the sand in Filter#2. It is currently plugged and the pipe is removed. Filter#2 will be online in 2-4 weeks. STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COUNTY OF IREDELL IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND ) STIPULATION OF FACTS Barium Springs Home for Children ) Barium Springs Home for Children WWTP ) ) PERMIT NO.NC0045471 ) CASE NO. LV-2020-0284 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling$1,010.28 for violation(s)as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated October 8,2020,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 N° ,20 ,2L SIGNATURE ADDRESS `� 5 �010 N0� 2 �p�QIDW�Np�ES N TELEPHONE ATTACHMENT A Barium Springs Home for Children • CASE NUMBER: LV-2020-02B4 PERMIT: NC0045471 REGION: Mooresville FACILITY: Barium Springs Home for Children WWTP COUNTY: Iredell LIMIT VIOLATION(S) SAMPLE LOCATION: Outfall 001 -Effluent Violation Report Unit of Limit Calculated %Over Violation Penalty Date Month/Yr Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Type Amount 4/8/2020 4-2020 BOD, 5-Day(20 Deg. 2 X month mg/1 7.50 8.9 18.7 Daily $200.00 C)-Concentration Maximum Exceeded 4/29/2020 4-2020 BOD,5-Day(20 Deg. 2 X month mg/1 7.50 9.24 23.2 Daily $200.00 C)-Concentration Maximum Exceeded 4/30/2020 4-2020 ROD, 5-Day(20 Deg. 2 X month mg/1 5 9.07 81.4 Monthly $500.00 C)-Concentration Average Exceeded