NC0066788_NOV-2021-LV-0178 Response_20210325

MRPB Systems
Construction Services • Contract Operations • Maintenance
March 25, 2021
Mr. Landon Davidson
North Carolina Department of
Environmental Health and Natural Resources
Water Quality Section
2090 U.S. Highway 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Re: Notice of Violation
NOV-2021-LV-0178
NPDES Permit NC0066788 Buncombe County Schools
Fairview Elementary School
Buncombe County
Dear Landon,
This letter is written on behalf of the Buncombe County Schools to provide information
as to remedial action taken to the above referenced facility in reference to NOV letter
dated March 24, 2021 attached.
We received the lab result of 190 mg/L BOD on 2/16/21 and immediately questioned our
subcontracted lab Pace Analytical about the results being higher than influent raw sewage
levels. We were informed it was a lab error by Chris Derouen Supervisor (828-417-
6056). Chris stated the lab set up the BOD as an influent sample and dilutions caused the
reported value to be 190 mg/L. We were told the result could not be recalculated to have
a more reasonable result. We reported the value given to us and described the report
comments as lab quality control failure caused elevated results. Pace issued a March 16,
2021 letter stating the analyst error and further training performed. (see attached).
We have had two major toxic kills at the WWTP in the past few months that killed our
bacteria population. As a result we had to pump solids out and reseed, We pumped out
and reseeded on 12/31/20 and 2/19/21 at a $ 3,000 cost each.
We collected two additional samples during the month to try to lower the monthly
average. Without the lab error the plant should have been compliant for the month.
I trust you will call if you have any further questions or concerns.
Rtzt,t4 g
Robert Barr
P.O. Box 1325 Asheville, N.C. 28802
(828)-251-1900 (828)-251-1945