NC0021849_NOV-2021-PC-0177 NOI_20210311

ROY COOPER
Governor
DIONNE DELI-GATTI
Secretary
S. DANFEL SMITH
bfrecrar
Certified Mail # 7020 1810 0001 5981 1228
Return Receipt Requested
Pamela Hurdle, Manager Town
Town of Hertford
324 W Grubb St
Hertford, NC 27944
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
March 11, 2021
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2021-PC-0177
Permit No. NC0021849
Hertford WWTP
Perquimans County
Dear Mrs. Hurdle:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Hertford WWTP on February 24,
2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and
limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021849. A summary of the findings and comments noted
during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.
The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Washington
Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Permit An unauthorized bypass of unknown quantity was found nearby the aerobic digestors
during the inspection. A sludge strip was observed that was roughly 100ft in length and
10ft across at its widest point. The ORC stated that the unauthorized bypass took place on
11/19/2020 during the last sludge haul. The bypass was never reported to WARO and was
required to be reported to WARO within 24 hours as required by NPDES permit
#NC0021849. This is a violation of the following permit conditions: Section B Condition 2,
Section E Condition 6 and Section E condition 9.
North Caro!i no 17epartne nt of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resou rues
Washington Regional Office 1943 Washington Square Mall I Washington, North Carolina 27339
252-946-6431

Inspection Area Description of Violation
Filtration (High -Rate Tertiary)
During the inspection on 02/24/2020 one of the two automatic disk filters described in
NPDES permit #NC0021849 was not operational and was also down during the previous
inspection on 08/19/2020. The automatic disk filter that was operational during the
inspection was being heavily bypassed. This is a violation of permit conditions: Section C
Condition 2, Section C Condition 4.C, Section E Condition 6 and Section E Condition 9.
A Notice of Violation/Intent to Issue Civil Penalty is being issued for the noted violation of North Carolina General
Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 and the facility's NPDES WW Permit. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of
not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed against any person who violates or
fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S.
143-215.1.
If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or discuss
overall compliance please respond in writing within ten (10) business days after receipt of this Notice. A review of
your response will be considered along with any additional information provided. You will then be notified of any
civil penalties that may be assessed regarding the violations. If no response is received in this Office
within the 10-day period, a civil penalty assessment may be prepared.
Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the
future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of
State law. If the violations are of a continuing nature, not related to operation and/or maintenance problems, and
you anticipate remedial construction activities, then you may wish to consider applying for a Special Order by
Consent.
Reminder: Pursuant to Permit Condition: Section E Condition 6, the Permittee is required to verbally notify the
Regional Office as soon as possible, not to exceed 24 hours, from first knowledge of
non-compliance at the facility including limit violations, bypasses of, or failure of a treatment unit. A
written report may be required within 5 days if directed by Division staff. Prior notice should be given
for anticipated or potential problems due to planned maintenance activities, taking units off-line, etc.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Paul Mays with the Water Quality Regional
Operations Section in the Washington Regional Office at 252-948-3940 or via email at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Rottil Teoskva
Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Washington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: Laserfiche
DEQ
North Ca ro: na Departure nt of Environmental Qusl ay I Division of Water Resources
Washington Regona4ff.ce 1 943 Washington Square Mal; l Washington, North Carolina 27339
252-943 1