Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0075701_Regional Office Historical File Pre 2018 (4)Certified Mail tt 7017 2620 0000 6788 9878 Return Receipt Requested October 25, 2019 Michael j Ferris. City Manager City of .Albemarle PO Box 190 Albemarle, NC 28002-0190 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute (Ci.S.) 1.43-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES WW Permit No. NC0075701 City of Albemarle Tuckertown WTP Case No. LV-2019-0257 Stanly County. Dear Mr, Ferris: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $60 .75 ($500,00 civil penalty + $108.75 enforcement costs) against City of Albemarle. This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has beenconducted of the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) submitted by City of Albemarle for the month ofJuly 2019. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0075701, The violations, which occurred in July 2019,.are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that City of Albemarle violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NC0075701 and G.S, 143-215.1(a)(6) in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A. In accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 1.43-2156A(a)(2), a civil penalty may be assessed against any person who violates the terms, conditions or requirements of a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1(a). Based LI"' he 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 Albemarle: $250.00 1 of 1 violation of G,S, 143-215, I (a)(6) and Permit No. NC0075701, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Daily Maximum for Copper, Total (as Cu) $250,00 1 of 1 violation of G,S, 143-215,1(a)(6) and Permit No, NC0075701, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Monthly Average for Copper, Total (as Cu) $500.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY S108:75 Enforcement Costs $608.75 'TOTAL AMOUNT DUE Pursuant to G.S. 143-2.15.6A(c), in d.etermining the amount of the penalty 1 have taken into account the 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 qu.alit or on air quality; (4) 'File 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 complyin.g or .failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental 1S.4.ana.gem.ent Commission has regulator authority; and (8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following: (1) Submit payment of the penalty, OR (2) Submit a written request for remission, OR (3) Submit a written request for an administrative hearing Option 1: Submit payment of the penalty: Payment should be made directly, to the order of the Department of .Environmental Quality (do not include i,voiver Arni) 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 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 live 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 ofan 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 hether a remission request ‘vill be approved, the following factors shall be considered: (1) whether one or more of the civil penalty: assessment factors in NCGS 14313-282..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 th.e civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions, Please note that all evidence presented in suppc.rt 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 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 an.d submit the enclosed "Re itest for Remission of Civil Penalties, Waiver of Riglat to an Administrative Hearing, and Stipulation of Facts" 'form whin n thirty (30) d.ays of receipt of this notice, The Division of Water Resource's also requests thatyou 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-'161.7 Option 3: File a petition for an adrninistrative hearing with the Office of Ad.ministrative Hearings: If you wish to contest any statement in the attached assessment documents, 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 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. 'Hie 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 §150B-23,2) is received in the Office of Ad,ministrative Hearings within seven (7) business days following the faxed or electronic transmission. You should contact the Office of Administrative .Hearirigs with all questions regardirig_the filingfee and/or the details offhe filing process., The mailing address and telephone and fax numbers for the Office of Administrative Hearings are as 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 6714 Tel: (9'19) 431-3000 Fax: (919)431-3100 One (1) copy of the petflion niusl also be served on DEQ as follows: Mr. William Lane, General Counsel Department, of Environmental Quality 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 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 (30) days of receipt of this letter, 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 you have any questions, please contact Roberto Sch,eller with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Mooresville Regional Office at (2.52) 9.46-6481 or via email at roberto,scheller@„n.cdenrgov, Sincerel„ OocuSvned bT for F1 HfigA2004A0 W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville R„egional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMEVIS Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number 11A-2019-0257 Assessed Party: City, of Albemarle Permit No.: 'NC0075701 County: Stanly Anaount Assessed: $608,75 Please use this form when requesting remissiori ofthis civil penalty. You must also complete the "Request For Remission, TVaiver cve 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 mission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual statern.ents contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Pursuant to N.CG.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). more 'the civil penalty assessment thctors in N.C.G.S. 1.43B-282 b, wrongfully applied to the detriment of the petitioner (the assessment ,d in the civil penalt, tent document); (b) the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting fromthe violation steps tha took to correct the violation and prevent ,Iiiture occurrence); (c) the vi ation. was inadvertent or a result of an a something you could not prevent or,prepare far); explain vhv the violation na Liable or (d) the had not been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations; he (e) payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment fo the rernaining necessary remedial actions de explain how payment al the civil penalty will prevent youfrom perfbrming the .activities necessary to achieve EXPLANATION: STATE OF Nr R LH ft A OLINA PART `LENT OF ENVIRONMEN FA1 Q Al ITY COUNTY OF SIAM, N THE MATTER OF ASSESSME T CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST city cif Albe Tuekertown PERMIT NO NCO° /5701 Having bee of Water Reson WAIVER OF R1GHE TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS CASE NO. 1N2O19O257 d L 0 penalties taring S60875 for violation(s) as e1 forth in the assesrnent doeumer t of the Division October 2 2019, thindersined, desiring 10 seek remission of the civil penalty, does hereby ve the right to an administrative hearing in the above tated Ellatter and does tip ate that the facts are its 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 or assessmentNo new evidence in support of a remission request will be allowed after (30) days front the receipt of the notice of s This the day of _ ADDRESS • • -TEL/Eft:HONE SIGNA'r /RE 10 PERMIT: NC0075701 FACILITY Tuekertown LIMIT VIOLATION(S) SAMPLE LOCATION: Cuff 01 E Violation Report Date Month/Yr Parameter uteri ATTACHMENT A City of Albemarle CASE NUMBER: IN-2019-0257 REGION: Mooresville COUNTY: Stably Unit af Lmt Calculated '% Over Violator) Penalty Frequency Measure Value Value Umt Type Amount 7/18/2019 762019 Copper, Total as Cu) ItAanthly ugh 10,47 16 52..8 Daily Maximum Exceeded 7 ,°20 9 72019 p $250 00 Total as Cu) Monthly ugh 7688 Monthly Average Exceeded 6250 00 !VISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTYASSESSMENT Violat City of Albemarle Facility Name: Tuckertown WTP Permit Number: N( 0075701 County: Study Case Number: LV-2019-0257 ASSESSMENT FACTORS 1) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to priva property resulting from the violation; None documented H impact natural resources 2) The duration and grasity of the violatio As documented in Attachment A. sc. ge ([treated n a4tewater in excess of pertrut lzmits has the potntiul i adve The efTect on ground or surface waterquantity or quality or on air qual (Vone documented Hm ever the discharge of treated 14 askw impact natural resources. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; 1. know, 5) The amount of o e saved by none° L nknut n ice; ifpermi hrnits has the porential to adve ely 6) Whether the io1ation was committed willfully or intentionally; (Vot s uspected to be willful ar inienlioni 7) The prior rerord of the violator n complying or failing to comply witti programs over which the Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority; and -01 TSS August 2014; V-2015-01 5 SS October 2014, 8 The cost to the State ofthe enforcernent procedures. S108.75 10.25.19 Date A r Docu H N41.444 FlE 1 FB69A2084A3 ro W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEO Facility Name: Tuckertown WTP Report Period: July 7,019 DMR REVIEW RECORD Mooresville Regional Office Prior Assessments: 0 Permit Number: NC0075701 Enforcement Factor: 1.00 ()oftII # Outran Description Viiaterbody Name Waterbody Classification 001 filter backwash- UT Tuckertown Reservoir YADKIN RIVER (Including lower porUon af High WS-IV,B;CA Rock Lake, Tuckertown Lake, Badin Lake) Monthly Average Limit Violations Sample Location: Outfall 001 - Effluent Violation Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Date Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Action 7/31/2019 Copper, Total (as Cu) MontNy 7_88 16 103 0 Daily Limit Violations Sample Location: Outfall 001 - Violation Date Parameter Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Action 7116/2019 Chlorine, Total Residual 2 X month ugil 17 18 5,9 No Action, BPJ 7/18/2019 Copper, Tote aCu)onthly ug/I— 1047 16 52 8 Other Violations/Staff Kernarks: Supervisor Remarks: ntoi Completed by: Assistant Regional Supervisor Sign -off: Regional Supervisor Sign -off: p--DmuSitipr.44: (Z.44.4.-t. 9 crAeo763ryn4aC Date: Date: Date: 9/6/2019 9/9/2019 Pror 12- t Number: NC0075701 on h Enfoi- story Report Period: July .2019 P 1 704.984.9605 F 1 704984.9606 ALBEIVIARLE NORTH CAROLINA iVaeot )4e. tad. 0 Public Utilities Department October 4, 2019 IN, Corey Basinger Water Quality Regional Operations Section Mooresville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking number. NOV-2019-LV-0678 Permit No. NC0075701 City of Albemarle — Tuckertown Water Treatment Plant Stanly Comity To Whom It May Concern, www.albemarlenc.gov PO Box 190 144 North Second Street Albemarle, NC 28002-0190 Thank you for allowing Tuckertown Water Treatment Plant the opportunity to respond to the Notice of Violation dated September 23, 2019. Our response below is in regard to the limit exceedance violation of our total copper residual limit. Regarding our total copper exceedance levels, Tuckertown WTP began using copper sulfate in the spring to combat rising algae issues within our source water and within our reservoir that were known causes of taste and odor issues. With cooler temperatures arriving soon the use of copper sulfate will cease. In the corning year we intend to significantly decrease the amount of P I 704.984.9605 F I 704,984.9606 it 131MARLE NORTH CAROLINA ritiet 4vrti. www.albemarlenc.gov PO Box 190 144 North Second Street Albemarle, NC 28002-0190 copper su Tate being utilized to minimize the potential for exceedance of our total copper residual n our discharge effluent. We believe that the issue has been taken, seriously, and the Tuckertown Water Treatment Plant intends to remain in compliance. The measures being taken in ceasing use of copper sulfate are believed to be adequate in resolving these concerns. It is always our goal to adhere to regulations set forth by the Division of Water Resources. The errors that led to this facility's non-compliance have been clearly noted to avoid future non-compliance status. It is our request that our cooperation and action in these matters be taken into account by the Division when enforcement action is taken. Sincerely, SA Tuckertown Water Treatment Plant CC: Jason Culp, City Of Albemarle Shaun Whitley, City of Albemarle Michael Ferris, City of Albemarle Judy Redwine, City of Albemarle ALBE (TUCXX TOWN) MR. BRANDON PULER PUBLIC urILITias PO BOX 190 ALBEMARLE ,NC 28002-0190 Effluent Analysts Method PARAN1ETERS Date Analyst Code Total Suspended Residue, ing/1 Total Hardness, rrtrid Copper, nig/1 Turbidity, rsiTU S.S 08/08/19 „IMS 2540D-11 24 03/12/19 JMS 2340C-11 16 /08/19 LFJ EPA200.7 6.0 08/07/19 MAR 2130B-11 1D# DATE COLIACTEDt 08/06/19 DATE REPORTED 08/15/19 PO SOX 190 AMMAN= ,NC 20002-0190 7 1033Y DATI CQTZ s 07 SATS =PORTED t 08/01/19