NC0070289_Inspection_20210622

ROY COOPER
Governor
JOHN NICHOLSON
Interim Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
Certified Mail # 7019 1120 0000 8362 0109
Return Receipt Requested
June 22, 2021
Wayne Huntley
Stones Throw Homeowners Association
PO Box 690725
Charlotte, NC 28227-7013
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2021-PC-0323
Permit No. NC0070289
Ridgewood Farms at Stones Throw WWTP
Cabarrus County
Dear Mr. Huntley:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Ridgewood Farms at Stones
Throw WWTP on June 10, 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. NC0070289. 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 Mooresville
Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Aeration Basins
Air diffusers in aeration basin appeared to have been fixed; however, DO above diffusers,
near surface of aeration basin, measured 1.03 mg/I, 1.30 mg/I and 0.03 mg/I. A 30 minute
settleability test settled out MLSS at 950 ml/I.
Permit Permit Condition for Engineering Assessment of Structural Integrity not received.
Record Keeping Record review found Annual Reports are not being submitted as required.
DE
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office f 61.0 East Center Avenue. Suite 3O1 I Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704.663.1699

Inspection Area Description of Violation
Secondary Clarifier Sludge blanket visible 16 to 24 inches under clear effluent. High amount of solids under
aeration.
Compliance Issue(s):
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 6 in Section E, the Permittee is required to verbally notify the Regional
Office as soon as possible, not to exceed 24 hours, from first knowledge of any 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 Roberto Scheller with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-1699.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
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for
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
LDEQ
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1 Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office l 6LO East Center Avenue. Suite 301 I Mooresville, North CarolEna 28115
704.663.1699