NC0081370_Regional Office Historical File Pre 2018 (19)

Water Resources
POOP10-0404INTAL CRIA014
Certified Mail #7015 1520 0002 6878 2479
Return Receipt Requested
March 7, 2017
Catherine Renbarger, City Manager
City of Claremont
PO Box 446
Claremont, NC 28610
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty
for Violations of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1
and NPDES WW Permit No. NC0081370
City of Claremont
McLin Creek WWTP
Case No. LV-2017-0068
Catawba County
6
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
Dinkior
Dear Ms. Renbarger:
'This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $1,351.00 ($1,250.00 civil pen
aity
+ $101.00, enforcement costs) against City of Claremont.
This assessment is based upon the .following facts: a review has been conducted of the discharge monitoring report (DMR)
submitted by City of Claremont for the month of October 2016. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation
of the discharge limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in NPDES 'WNW Pemiit No, NC0081370. The violations,
which occurred in October 2016, are summarized in Attachment A to this letter.
Based upon the above facts, 1 conclude as a matter of law that City of Claremont violated the terms, conditions or
requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NC0081370 and G.S.143-21.5.1(a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in
Attachment A. In accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(aX2), a civil penalty may be assessed
against any person who violates .th,e temis, conditions or requirements of a permit required by G.S. 143-215,1(a).
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, W. Corey Basinger,
Regional Supervisor, Mooresville Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against City of
Claremont:
State of North Carolina Environmental Quality I Water Resources
610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301, Mooresville, NC 28'l 15
704-663-1699

$750,00 1: of the 1 violations of 1.43-21.5.1(a)(6) and Permit No.NC0081370, by discharging waste water into
the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Monthly Average for BOD 7.Conc.
$250.00 ,1 of the 1 violations of 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No,NC0081370, by discharging waste water into
the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Weekly Average for BOD - Conc.
$250.00 1 of the I, violations of 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No.NC0081370, by discharging waste water into
the vvaters of the State in violation of the Permit Weekly Average for NH3-N - Conc.
$1,250.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY
$101.00 Enforcement Costs
$1,351.00 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE
Pursuant to G.S, 143-215,6A(c), in determining the amount of the penalty I have taken into accountthe Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law and the factors set forth at G.S, 143B-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 quaIit
(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 his notice, you must do one of the following:
.(1) Submit paymentof the penalty, OR
(-) Submit a written request for remission, OR
(3) Submit a written request for an administrative hearing
Option Submit payment of the penalty:
Payment should be made directly to the order of the Department of Environmental Quality (do not include waiver
orin). 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

Fr 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 arnOunt of the civil penalty assessed. Requesting remission is not the PFOPer
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-282.1(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 rernedial 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 advisedthat the Committee cannot consider information that was not part of the
original remissionrequest 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 retnission, you 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 (30) days of receipt of tbis
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 27699-16.17

Option 3: File a petif ion for an administrative hearina with the Office of Administrative Hearinas:
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 foim 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 fac.simile (fax) or electronic mail by an attached file (with restrictions) - provided
the signed original, one (I) copy and a filing fee (if a filing fee is required by NCGS §150B-23.2) is received in the
Office of Administrative Hearings within seven (7) business days following the faxed or electronic transmission.
should contact the Office of Administrative Hearings with all questions regarding the filing.fee and/or the details of the
filinz nrocess.
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 27699-6,714
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
One (' 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 2 /699-1601
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/titne 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 Wes Bell with the Division of Water Resourcestaff of the Mooresville Regional
Office at [phone] or via email at [e-mail].
Sincerely.,
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office - Enforcement File
NPDES Compliance/Enforcement 'Unit - Enforcement File

JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION RFOIJESJ
Case Number: LV-2017-0068
Assessed Party: City of Claremont
Permit No.: NC00813. 70
County: Catawba
Amount Assessed:
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 ofthe 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 app.ly. 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 penally 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 andpreventjiiture occurrences);
(c) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident (i.e., explain why the violation was unavoidable or
something you could nol prevent or prepare fir);
(d.) the violator had not been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations;
(e) payment ofthe civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions (i.e„ explain
how payment of the civil penalty will prevent youperforming the activities necessary to achieve
compliance),
EXPLANATION:

ST TE OF NORTH CAROLINA
MINTY OF CATAWBA
IN TEIE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT
OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST
City of Claremon
MeLin Creek WW1
PERNT NO, NE0081370
DFPARTMI NT OF 1 NVIRONMFN1Al QUALLTY
WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN
ATIVE HEARING AND
STIPULATION OF FACTS
CASE NO. LV- 017-0068
Having been assessed civil penalties tota mg $1,, 00 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessrnen doeumeRt ot the
on of Water Resources dated March 7,,20,17, the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the penalty, does
reby waive the right to an administrative hearing in the above -stated matter and does stipulate that the facts are as
alleged in the assessment doctutrient. The undersigned further understands that all evidence presented in support of
remission of this civil penalty must he submitted to the Director of the Division of Water Resources within thirty (3)) days
of receipt of the notice of assessment. No new evidence in support of a remission request will he allowed after (30) days
'from the receipt of the notice of assessment
This the day of
SI NATURE
ADDRESS
TELEP ONE

PERMIT: NC0081370
FACILITY: McLin Creek
T VIOLATION(S)
ATTACHMENT A
City of Claremont
CASE NUMBER: LV-2017-0068
REGION: Moor vine
COUNTY: Catawba
SAMPLE LOCATION: Outten 001 Effluent
Violanon Report
Date MonteNr Parameter
10/2 10-2016 BOO, 5-Day (20 Deg,
- Concentration
Unit of Limit Calculated Over Violation Pertaity
Frequency Measure V ue Value Umt Type Amount
$250.00
eekty
10/3 0 10-2016 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg,. Weekly mg/I
C) - Concentration
/2016 10-2016 Nitrogen, Arn on a Weekly rrigil
Total (as N) -
Concentration
9 58)3
Weekly
Average
Exceeded
10 0 345 Monthly
Average
Exceeded
850 4 :7 Weekly
Average
Exceeded
$760 00
250 00

Date
Parameter Permit Limit
Record
Pipe No.:
Weekly/Daily Violations
itType DMR Value
Monthitrear:
Action
% Over Limit Action
M nitorinq Frequency Violations
Date Parameter Permit Frequency Values Reported # o Violations Action
Superv3sor R k
Completed by:
Assistant Regional
Supervisor Sign Oft
Date:
Regional Supervisor Sign
Off:
Date:

DIVISION OF WATER RISOURCES - C1VIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT
Violator: City of Claremont
Facility Name: McLin Creek WWTP
Permit Number: NC0081370
County: Catawba
Case Number: LV-2017-0068
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 violar •
2) The duration and gravity of the violation;
A.4 4791 v-Ls_ Ct.CZ
3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on a
T /
quality;
eee
14AA
4) The The cost of rectifying the damage;
5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance;
Lor
6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally;
"4-A-Adi"
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
2/2012 — BOD (WAV) — NOV-2012-LV-0258;
3/2012 — BOD (2 WAVs & MAV), ammonia (MAV) — Case #: LV-2012-0121;
4/2012 — BOD (4 WAVs & MAV), ammonia (2 WAVs & MAV) NOV-,2012-LV-0362;
5/2012 — BOD (4 WAVs & MAW) — NOV-2012-LV-0403;
6/2012 — BOD (3 WAVs & MAV), ammonia (2 WAVs & MAV) — NOV-2012-LV-0446;
9/2012 — BOD (WAV)- Case #: LV-2013-0018;
4/2013 — BOD (2 WAVs & MAV), ammonia (MAV) — Case #: LV-2013-0147;
5/2013 — BOD (3 WAVs & MAV), ammonia (MAV) — Case #: LV-2013-0169;
6/2013 — BOD (3 WAVs & MAV), ammonia (2 WAVs & MAV) — Case #: LV-2013-0190;
7/2013 — BOD (3 WAVs & MAV) — Case #: LV-2013-0228;
8/2013 — BOD (5 WAVs & MAV) — Case #: LV-2014-0006;
9/2013 — BOD (3 WAVs & MAV) — Case #: LV-2014-0009;
24
.11-4-4-9
c-A-

4/2014 BOD (WAV & MAV) — Case 6; LV-2015-0143
5/2014 BO 1 (WAV) N0V-2015-LV-0171;
6/2014 BOD (4 WAVs & MAV), ammonia (WAV & MAV) fecal colifor AV & MAV)
Case ii:LV-2015-0166;
7/2014 —BOD (3 WAVs & MAV) — Case ii: EN-20154169;
8/2014 — ROD (WAY) N0V-2015-LV-0174;
12/2014 — BOD (WAV) N0V-2015-LV-0252;
1/2015 — BOD (WAY) N0V-2015-LV-0395;
2/2015 — ammonia (MAV) — Case 6: LV-2015-0203;
3/2015 BOD (MAV), ammonia (WAV & MAV) — Case a: LIT- 015-0207;
4/2015 — BOD (4 WAVs & MAV), ammonia (3 WAVs & MAY) - Case 6: '-201 0210;
5/2015 — BOD (4 WAVs & MAV) - Case LV4015-0216;
6/2015 BOD (WAV & MAV) - Case 0: LV-2015-0236:
7/2015 — BOD (WAV & MAY) - N0V-2015-LV-0617;
3/2016 — Fecal Coliform (WAV) — Case 6; LV-2016-0159;
6/2016 —1300(WAV) N0V-2016-LV-0562;
8/2016 BOD (WAV) — N0V-2016-LV-0649;
9/2016 BOD (WAV & MAV), ammonia (3 WAVs & MAV) Case -2017 V-0051
8, The cost to the State of theen or
Enforcement Cost:
1 hour staff nme... 44
1 hour supervisor 52.56
Administrative staff cost 15OO
Total Enforcer) C 101.00
pro
W. Corey Basinr, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ