WQ0004059_NOV-2021-PC-0425_20210823

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3D141 ED-25C1-4B60-81 B3-FDOCE63D57E2
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Certified Mail # 7016 0910 0000 61714326
Return Receipt Reauested
William T Smith
Sugarloaf Utility Inc.
514 Daniels St
Suite 414
Raleigh, NC 27612
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
August 26, 2021
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2021-PC-0425
Permit No. WQ0004059
Atlantic Station WWTP
Carteret County
Dear Permittee:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted a reconnaissance inspection of the Atlantic Station WWTP
on August 18, 2021. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the
conditions and limitations specified in Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0004059. A summary of the findings and
comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.
The Reconnaissance inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Wilmington
Regional Office. The following violations were noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Treatment Advanced state of corrosion of many areas of the plant causing a safety hazard.
Treatment Bypass of tertiary filter from the east clarifier.
End Use -Infiltration Lack of maintenance of rotary distributer systems
Treatment Lack of maintenance of the EQ tank to ensure proper operation.
End Use -Infiltration Measures not taken to prevent effluent ponding in the infiltration sites.
End Use -Infiltration Monitoring wells not secured.
D_E Q,- North Carolina Department of Environmental Quaky I Division of Water Resources
Wilmington Regional Office 1 127 Cardinal Drive Extension I Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
910.796.7215

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3D141 ED-25C1-4B60-81 B3-FDOCE63D57E2
Inspection Area Description of Violation
End Use -Infiltration MW-1A has not been installed to replace MW-1 as required in the current permit schedule.
End Use -Infiltration MW-3 and MW-1 have not been permanently abandoned as required in the current permit
schedule.
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 Non -discharge 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.
Please respond in writing to this office within 10 days of your receipt of this letter regarding your
plans or measures to be taken to address the violations noted above. 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.
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.
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Perez with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215.
Sincerely,
DO" igned by:
To' '[Ino.criwj�uti ti7F141E73B6F3456... for
Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: Dan Fortin — electronic copy
William Grantmyre, Public Staff Attorney -NC Utility Commission — electronic copy
� � North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Wilmington Regional Office 1121 Cardinal Drive Extension I Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
.—\ r 910.796.7215