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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0063584_Enforcement_20131213AM 41 Lug Lame VlAwbolawill 1"1% North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural esources 0?1 Division of Water Resources Water Quality RegIonal Operations Section Thomas A, Reeder Director December 13, 2013, CERTIFIED MAIL 7010 t870 00011558 1443 RETURN RFCEIPT REQ ESTED John E. Skvada, III Secretary 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. 1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No, NCO063584 Oxford Glen WWTP Mecklenburg County CaseNo. 1,V-2013-0230 Dear Mr, Roberts: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $27191 1$125.00 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 July 2013. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations found in NPDES Permit No, NCO063584. The violations are summarized in Attachment 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 NPDES Permit No. NC0063584 and North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215� l(a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A, A civil penalty may be assessed in accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(#2). Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resourcesand the Director of the Division of Water Resources, 1, Andrew Pitner, Assistant Regional Supervisor for the Mooresville Region, hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Aqua North Carolina, Inc.: Mooresville Regional Office Location: 610 East Center Ave. Suite 301 Mooresville, NG 28115 One Phone' (704) 663-16.91P, Fax (704) 663-6040 t Customer Service, 1-877-623-6748 N)o -thnC-- rolliia Internet http,i/portai.ncdeir,orgltyeb,,wq t Ar Equal Opporunity , A,1,nrnari,,eAfio EIpioyer - 3Vo P.ml(,'omunier pappv �a 125.00 For N., I ofthe one (1) violation of G.S. 143-2151( )() arid NP6F,S Permit No. NCO063584, by discharging waste into the waters of the State in violation of the permit monthly average effluent, limit for ammonia. $---125.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $ 14&'91 $__273.91 Enforcement costs TOTAL AMOUNT DUE Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A(cl), 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 violations; (2) The duration and gravity of the violations; (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 saNred by noncompliance-, (6) )XIbether the violations were committed willfull or intentionally; y (7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental Management Con-unission 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 penalty: Payment should be made directly to the order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (do not include waiver./brin). 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 Conipliance/F-ttforcement Unit Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 OR 1 Submit a written request for remission 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 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 bearing and a stipulation that no factual or legal issues are in dispute. Please prepare a detailed statement that establishes vvhy you believe the civil penalty should p I 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 all be considered: (1) whether one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in G.S. 143B-281 I (b) were wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner; (2) whether the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violatiow (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, '17he 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 case status, directions for payment, and provision for further appeal of the penalty to the Environmental Management Conunission*s Committee, on Civil Penalty Remissions (Committee). Please be advised that the (`lommittee 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 sup , port of your request for remission. In order to request remission, you must coniplete and submit the enclosed "Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing and Stipulation offacts" 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 thef6floNving address: Point Source Compliance/Enforcenient Unit Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 OR 3. File a petition for an administrative bearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings: If you wish to contest any statement in the attached assessment document you must file a petition for ,in administrative hearing. You may obtain the petition forni from the Off -ice of Administrative Hearings. You must filer 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 nomial 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 thestraile (fax) or electronic mail by an artiched 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 laxed or electronic transmission. You should contact the Office of Administrative Hearings with all questions regarding the filing fee andjor the details of the filing process, The mailing address and telephone and fax numbers Fear the Office of Administrative Hearings are as follows- Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, Ali 7699-671 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served can DENT l as follows - Mr. 11.,acy Presnell, General Counsel 9E1 1601 Mall Service ("'enter Raleigh, h, NC" 276 -1 City 1 Please indicate the case number teas found on page one ofthis letter) on the, petition, Failure, to exercise one of4the options above within thirty (d) days of receipt of this notice, as; evidenced by an internal date./tinge received stamp (neat a postmark), will result in this matter being referred to the Attorney General's Office fc r collection of the penalty° through as civil action, Please be advised that additional penalties may be assessed for violations that occur after the review period oftlaas assessment. If the.violations are.of a continuin a nature. not related to as elation aa~n /Or niai tenanS_p rrtl 1prtr, and to anticipate remedial o ozast rla r i iti l a 1 A ra rag v; wish tos ccariside 4ppLyin ta?ra eclat] rc cr by cart s tN fM �atI Iq tam` c Lae�tinCr� bout this ivil , alt assessm� rat mar �a eci l: r er b� .��c�ta �axt, t�leasew contact the ate. .esourc es staff f of the Mooresville capt `7 } _..1699� l�.c pr�aal Office � _�..� . (Date) Andrew 1 itner, Assistant Regional rail arpcavisor Water Quality Regional ionaal Operations Section Mooresville Region Division ision of Water Resources cc Mooresville Regional Office Compliance }wile w,f attachments Raleigh Coaaapliance/ nforccr cent File w/attachments Central files ups' attachments R. l n Belle, MC WQ ap/naaa ATTACHMENT A, CASE NO.LV-2013-0230 Outfall Date Parameter Reported Value Permit Limit The Aqua North Carolina,, Inc. response toNOV- 013-1. '-t ' was reviewed by DW1 staff. Mitigating factors were found to result in a reduced civil penalty mount, STATE OF NNORT11 CARO wIN ART1 N'r OF ENVIRONMENT EN AND NATtflZAL RESOURCES p T'14E MA'FrT E OF ASSESSMENT WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN TEE CIVIL PENALTY AGAENIS I' AT MITNi "r IVE 1IF'ARI G AND AQIJA NORTH CAROLINA, INC. STIPULATION OF FACTS I7 LE NO. I,V- I13-023 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $2 .9 for violation(s)a s set fiorth in the a,"essment document of the Division of Water Resources dated December 1, the undersigns desiring to scck remissi n of the civil penalties, does hereby waive the right to an administrative hearing in the above -stated d matter and does stipulate that the facts are as alleged in the assessment document. The undersigned further understands, that all evidence presented in support ofremission of this civil penalty must be submitted to the Director of the Division ofWater Resources s within 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 2013 B R.J'ISTIFICXf ION FOR REMISSIONLEST DWR LaseNumber: V- 01 -023 Assessed Pity: Aqua North Carolina, Inc. Co nt,y: Mecklenburg Permit Number: NCO063584 Amount Assessed- $273.91 Please use this form when requesting remission of this civil penalty. You must also complete the e uyt.. #or m issicrti FVyiv # coL � O tt to c m inistr t ve Heard c n i yLar' n ()j` ct ,F form to request remission of this civil penalty. You should attach any documents that you believe support your request and are necessary t-or the Director to consider in evaluating your request for remission. please be aware that a request for remission is limited to consideration, of the five factors listed below as they may relate to the reasonableness of the amount of they civil penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the proper prctcedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the fatctual statements- contained its the civil penalty assessment doca n ent; Pursuant to N. .G. . § 143 - .l(c), remission of a civil penaltyK may be granted only when one or more of the following five f`aactcrrs applies. Please check each factor that you believe applies to your case and provide a detailed explanation, including copies of supporting documents, as to why the fiactor a plics (attach additional pages as needed). (a) one or more of the cis assessment factors in .0G. . 143B-`� . A-ron ill a a lied tq di d trittt tt t�f the xeti.tacync2r fifes .s°s��ssment factors are listed ire the civil penalty assessment a ocui aena ) .f the yialttr :..:�avir�raite�wcra tl ecrnas... violation i, e.T e,�loin they sreps that you to ok tee correct t the violation andpre vent future aaccurre era e.$) - {c.) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident (i e,, explain why the violation was unavoidable or somethin you could not ere vent r- bade_ aaare,fi' t ); td the z a atca had not been assessed civil_I eta ft ar any pj. yious violations; te) a ttient of the_ucivil malt will r y sat as r tt �ca� the rrta�i.�ai� c s tease l _.. Acttons i.e., explain laerwpgyment of they civil, penalty will prevent you ,liompelbrmin the activities ne `e.r ar tar achieve compliance), EXPLANATION: (use additional pag'es anecessary) Violator: AqqgLNoijh Carglina, ln(�. Facility: Oxford Glen WWTP County: MVIeck] en bur Case Number: LV-2013-0230 Permit Number: NCO063584 The effluent ammonia concentrations were 0,56 mg/L, 2,88 mg/L, 0.34 mg/L, < 0.2 mg/L, and < 0,2 mg/L when measured on July 3rd, 1 1th, 18th, 25th, and 31st. None of these concentrations exceeded the daily maximum permit limit of 2,9 rngIL- However, the noted concentrations resulted in a monthly average ammonia concentration of 0.76 mg/L, which exceeded the permit limit of 0.5 mg/L by 511% 3) I'he effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; MONNIMMM10- .. 1110,1•1"M 1 I 4) `Fhe cost of rectifying the damage; The cost is unknown. 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; 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 four previous CPAs'for the Oxford Glen WWTP; all four occurred in last 12 months, LV-2013-0168 1 $548 91 LV for BOD and ammonia Pena�t Ik j4L_ LV-2013-0113 1 $497,44 LV for BOGS and ammonia, Penpj!y way in full, LV-2013-0035 1 $247 44 LV for BOD and diss�qolvi aqqe!j. (�naqy amid in full. ad _ E_ __ 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. The cost to the Division of Water Resources is $148,91 It.. . ....... ... Date Andrew Pitner, Assistant Regionaaervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources MONITORING REPORT(MR) VIOLATIONS for: PERMIT. NCO063584 FACILITY: t Aiwa North Carolina leas t - Oxford Glen WWTP CEaUNTY. tw+lacNclezahurg REGION, 141ooreavIINa Limit Violation �.,.'. � � I` � —,ft F k ` MONITORING OUTFAi_L 1 REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER VIOLATION DATE FREQUENCY UNIT 4P MEASURE; CALCULATED LIMIT VALUE � fa, i11FER LlttatiT VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION ACTION 07 -•3013 001 Effluent Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (us N) - Concern retiati 07/31/13 Weekly mgll 0 5 0, 0 51, ' Mcarafhl Average E�ceerlscl None g �E • I _ PERMIT. I'�CQii21628 F ILi : Tia n `t I*N trod -,.^ d ,. TP � CC�N Stanly c� l i w �orearril i } Limital Mori MONMC It+B6 OUT A£Lr � � VIOLAt9i N i! ' tYNIT tF - t - REPO T� Pf E OT 01 bol f�CA ION Cnlifa l C EaPAR,METEF SURE IT CA%CULAT UE ° %OVtER LIMIT l x LATION TYPE "VIOLATION AQ�I aN �. � F flip nt r m, e ME Al C Broth, 4, C 07YOI 3}C weekd10Qml00 51,,33 ltt3.5S eekl Geometric een None yExceeded PERMIT: N 60044024 IFACILITYCity ofAlbernarl4:-Highway 2WTF COUNTY: Stanly l REGION. NWlzaoraavllla Limit Violation t r I MONITORING OUTFALL1 REPORfi PPI � VIOLATION UNIrOF � CALCULATED {' LOCA �ICN � PARAMETER GATE FREC�ENC y MEASURE LIMB" VALUE � ✓a OVER LIMIT VIa41LA71(�N TYPE VICi.ATIICta ACTION 07e dii13 041 Eft u Flow, in conduit or thru � treatment plant Q7 31l13 aye Permit crngd ti:114 0. �041 70.03 1, ionthly Average Exceeded None