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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0063584_Enforcement_20131014North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Resources Water Quality Program Pat McCrory Thomas A, Reeder John E. Skvada, 111 Governor Director Secretary October 14, 2013 CERTIFIED MAIL 7010 0780 0000 5519 0027 RETURN ItECUIPT REQUESTED Mr. Thomas J, Roberts Aqua North Carolina, Inc. 202 MacKenan Court Cary, North Carolina 27511 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of N.C. General Statute 143-215.I(a)(6) and NPDES Pennit No. NCO063584 Oxford Glen WWTP Mecklenburg County Case Nov. LV-2013-0187 Dear Mr. Roberts: This letter 'transmits a Notice of Violation and assessrnent, of civil penalty in the amount of $498.91 ($350.00 civil penalty + $148.91 enforcement costs) against Aqua North Carolina, Inc. This assessment is based upon, the following facts: A review has been conducted of the self - monitoring data reported for June 2013. This review hos, showrn the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations found in NPDES Permit No. NC0063584- The violations are summarized in, Attachinent A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Aqua North Carolina, Inc, violated the terms, conditions, or requirements of PDES Permit No. NCO063584 and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) in the manner and extent shown inAttaclunent A. A civil penalty Tnay be, assessed in accordance with the maxiniums established by G.S. 143-215.fa A(a)(2) Based upon the above findings rat` fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, I, Michael L. Parker, Regional Supervisor forthe Mooresville Region, hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Aqua North C-'arotina, Inc.: Mooresville Regionat Office Location, 610 East Center Ave Suite 301 Mooresvft, N(' 28115 One Phone: (704) 663-1609, Fax 704 i 663-604011 Customer SenM` 1-877-6236748 NonhC�trofilna Inlemet A'atunally A o� ki a] 0p p(Aiii I v A Il i'ACN"' I FA I r'[GVer -- "R;", POV (,;M15LJM0 I paper 100.00 For I of the two (2) violation(s) of G. S. 143-215.1() ) and NPDES Permit No, NCO063584, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit weekly average effluent limit for ammonia. 21l.Q0 For I �of the one (1) violation of G. S. 143-215 . I (a)(6) and NPDPe 3584rmit No. NCO06, by discharging waste into the fS waters of the State, in violation of the permit monthly average effluent limit for arm monia, 350,00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY 148.91 Enforcement costs $—,-498.91 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE Pursuant to G.& 143-215.6A(c), in deterinining 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 a I (b), which are: (1) The degree and extent of hamr, to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private property resulting from the violations, (2) The duration and gravity of the violations-, (3) 'Fhe 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 none omp I iajrce, (6) Whether 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 Enviromnental Management Commission has regulatory authority, and (8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. Within thirty days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following: 1. Submit payment of the penalq,: Payment should be made directly to the order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (dry not include waiverform). Payment of the penalty will not foreclose further enforcement action for any continuing or new, violation(s). Please submit payment to the attention of; Point Source Compliance/Enforeement Unit Division. of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 OR 2. Subunt a written request 111 101 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 penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the viol.ation(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 that no factual or legal issues are in dispute. Please prepare a detailed statement that establishes by 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 G.S. 143 B-282. I (b) were wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitiorter; (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 information presented in support of your request for remission must be submitted in writing. The Director of the Division, of Water Resourceswill review your evidence and inform you of his decision in the ratter of your remission request. The response will provide details regarding case status, directions for payment, and provision for further appeal of the penalty to the Erivirontriental 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 request remission, you must complete and submit the enclosed "Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing and Stipulation of Facts" form within thirty (30) days 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: Point Source Compliance/Ent"orcement Unit Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 OR 1 File a petition for an administrative hearing with the -Office of Administrative Hearings: 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 Administrativel-1earings within seven (7) business days following the taxed 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: Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6714 Tel: (919) 431-3000; Fax.- (919) 431-3 100 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DEN R as follows; Mr. Lacy Presneil, General Counsel DENR 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 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 (3 )0) days of receipt of this notice, 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 the violations are of a continuing,-Dature�, not related to o ration andALr Te-- maintenancrpctivities th mg��uDn, wishtq MIN= &egjpnql office 6Q-1699. -9feat --_ _-)— - Michael L. Parker Regional Supervisor Division of Water Resources ATTACHMENTS cc: Mooresville Regional Office Compliance File w/ attachments Raleigh Compliance/Enforcement File w/ attachments Central Files w/ attachments R. Rozzelle, MCWQP EM ATTACHMENT A CASE NO. LV-2013-0187 Outfall Date Parameter Reported Value Permit Limit 001 6/20/13 Ammonia 3.03 mg/L 2,9 mg/L (Day maximum) 001 6/27/13 Ammonia 3,93 mg/L* 2.9 mg/L (Daily maximurn) 001 6/30/13 Ammonia 2.22 mg/L* 0.5 mg/L (Monthly average) Denotes civil penalty assessment The Aqua, North Carolina, Inc, response to NOV- 2013-LV-0532 received on October 3, 2013, was reviewed by DWR staff. Mitigating factors were not found to result in a reduced civil penalty amount. STATE OF NORTIT C R{ LIN _ DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES iNTIJE MATTER. OF ASSESSMENT WAIVER ER: F RIGHTTO A F CIVIL PENALTY GAINST ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND AQUA NORTH CAROLINA, INC. ) STIPULATION OF FACTS PERMIT NO. NCO0 35 84 PILE NO, V-20I3-017 Having been assessed civil penalties s totaling 1 for violation (s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated October 14,201.3,the undersigned; desiring to seek remission of the civil penalties, does hereby waive the right to an administrative hearing in the above -stated natter and does stipulate that the facts are as alleged in the assessment document. The undersigned ned further understands that all evidence presented in support of: remission of this civil penalty must be submitted to the Director of the Division ofWate ° Resources within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment, No new evidence in support of a remissionrequest will be allowed after 30 days from the receipt of the notice of assessment, 'This the: day of 2013 B TELEPHONE JUSTIFICATION 1'V I ION REQUEST dse Number. LV-201- l Assessed arty: ,_aqua North Carolina, Inc. County: Mecklenburg Permit Number: NCO063584 AmountAssessed: $498.91 Please use this form when requesting remission of this civil penalty. You must also complete the "Request For etraissirara ll�aifer� of ight t are Administrative lle ar°ira ,cared % ulation o'� as ts',A 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 aanount 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, . § 14 1 - .1( ), remission of a civil penalty may be granted only when one or ore of the following five factors applies. 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 pales as needed). (a) rape, or more of:the cif=ij h l_y, at sessment factors in N.C.G. . 1.4 P- : were cvron full' a lied to the detriment of ale etit ner he assessment,ffactors are listed in the civil penalty assessment document); () the violator prone tl a a e to tinuin environrt ntal dr a e s altin faocn the violation., (i.e., explain the steps that you took to correct the violation and prevent future occurrences): (e) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident (i.e., explain why the violation was unavoidable or somethingyou could not rvent r°lrrare ),, (d) the vioator had _ not been assessed civil eta ties f and previous violations; (c;) ppayment of the civil penalty will Drevent Davin actions (1, e., explain how payment of the civil the activities necessot to achieve compliance): EXPLANATION. (ease addition al pa es cis necessary) the remaining necessaTy remedial will prevent youftom performing min I Violator: Aqua North Caro.1inaltic. Facility: Oxford Glen WWTP County: MecklenbqM— Case Number: LV-2013-0197 Permit Number: NCO063584 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; The ammonia concentration was 3,03 mg/L and 3.93 mg/L on June 20th and 27th, which exceeded the daily maximum permit limit of 2.9 mg/L by 4,5% and 35,5%. These concentrations along with two ammonia concentrations (1,99 mg/L and <0,2 mg/L) resulted in a monthly average ammonia concentration of 2.22 mg/L, which exceeded the permit limit of 0.5 mg/L by 343%, 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, The amount of money saved by noncompliance is unknown. 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; as a cause of violations in February and May 2013 and previous correspondence noted the problems had been fixed. No cause was noted for the October 2012 violations. 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 two previous CPAs for the Oxford Glen WWTP both occurred in last 12 months. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. The cost to the Division of Water Resources is $148.91. Michael L. Par er, RegOna-I-S-6—pervisor Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources PERMIT: NCO063584 FACILITY: Aqua North Carolina Inc - Oxford Glen WWTP COUNTY, Mecklenburg REGION., Mooresville Limit Violation MONITORING OUTFALL fi VIOLATION UNU'OF CALCULATED REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE % OVER LIMIT VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION ACTION 06-2013 Gal Effluent Nitro on, Ammonia Total (as Foncentration 06120113 Weekly mg/I 1 2,9 3 03`�' 4,48 Dally Maximum Exceeded None N) - 06 �2013 001 Effluent Nitr en, Ammonia Total (as 06/27/13 Weekly mg/l 2,9 V 3,913 V 35,52 Daily Maximum Exceeded None N) -Torcentration 06 �2013 001 Effluent Nitrogen, Ammonia Total as 06/30113 Weekly mg/i 0,514 Z22%` 343 Monthly Average Exceeded None flit - Concentration PERMIT. NCO068705 FACILITY: Mariners Watch. Homeowners Association - Mariners COUNTY: Mecklenburg REGION. Mooresville Watch WWTP Limit Violation MONITORING OUTFALL I VIOLATION UNIT OF CALCULATED REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE Jr OVER LIMIT VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION ACTION 06-2013 001 Effluent Solids, Total Suspended - 06105113 Weekly mgh 45 48 &67 Daily Maximum Exceeded None Concentration PERMIT: N00006220 FACILITY: City of Kannapolis - Kannapolis WTP COUNTY: an REGION- Mooresville Lilmit Violation MONff0RtNG OUTFALLI VIOLATtON UNIT OF CALCULATED REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAME,rER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE OVER LIMIT VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION ACTION 06-2013 001 Effluent Flow, if) concluit or thru 06/30113 Weekly mQd 0.367 0,3909 6.52 Monthly Average Exceededi None treatment plant