WQ0035706_LM-2021-0048_20211118

DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT

Violator: Currituck County
Facility Name: Moyock Regional WWTP
Permit Number: WQ0035706
County: Currituck
Case Number: LM-2021-0048

ASSESSMENT FACTORS
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;

Unknown

The facility is a high-rate infiltration system with a groundwater lowering system and could be discharging wastewater that could
impact waters of the state (groundwater and surface water). Since the facility began operation in early 2013 there have been only 4
months that permit effluent limits have not been exceeded.

2) The duration and gravity of the violation;

Significant

Violations are ongoing. Since the facility began operation in early 2013 there have been only 4 months that permit effluent limits
have not been exceeded.

3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality;

Moderately Significant

Groundwater and surface water could be impacted. The 2L groundwater standard for Ammonia has been exceeded in monitoring
wells at the facility in March 2014, July 2014, March 2015, March 2016, July 2016, November 2016, March 2017, November
2017, November 2018, April 2019, July 2019, November 2019, March 2020, July 2020, November 2020, March 2021, and July
2021. In January 2016, November 2017, July 2018, October 2018, January 2019, March 2019, April 2019, June 2019, October
2019, November 2019, December 2019, January 2020, February 2020, March 2020, April 2020, May 2020, and April 2021 the 2L
groundwater standard for Ammonia was exceeded in the sample from the groundwater lowering system around the infiltration
basin that discharges to surface water.

4) The cost of rectifying the damage;

Unknown

5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance;

Costs would be related to hiring adequate staff to operate the WWTP and to hiring a contractor to perform modifications to th e
WTP. In May 2021 the SOC was modified to include construction of a new WWTP to replace the existing WWTP.

6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally;

WaRO does not believe the violations were committed willfully; however, the permittee has been aware of the continued effluent
limit violations since the startup of the WWTP. The permittee is under an SOC and in May 2021 the SOC was modified to
include the construction of a new WWTP to replace the existing WWTP.

7) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with programs over which the
Environmental Management Commission has regulatory authority; and

The permittee owns and operates other wastewater facilities where chronic compliance issue s have occurred in the past and
continue to occur. The permittee is under an SOC and in May 2021 the SOC was modified to include the construction of a new
WWTP to replace the existing WWTP.

8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures.
$46.35

___________________ __________________________________________
Date Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Washington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
11/18/2021

Certified Mail 7021 0950 0001 1028 5043
Return Receipt Requested

November 18, 2021

Donald Ike McRee, Jr, County Interim Manager
Currituck County
153 Courthouse Rd Ste 110
Currituck, NC 27929

SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty
for Violations of Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0035706
Currituck County
Moyock Regional WWTP
Case No. LM-2021-0048
Currituck County

Dear Mr. McRee:

This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $1,546.35 ($1,500.00 civil
penalty + $46.35 enforcement costs) against Currituck County.

This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the Non-Discharge Monitoring
Report (NDMR) submitted by Currituck County for the month of June 2021. This review has shown the subject facility
to be in violation of the limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0035706. The
violations, which occurred in June 2021, are summarized in Attachment A to this letter.

Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Currituck County violated the terms, conditions or
requirements of Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0035706 in the manner and extent shown in Attachment A. In
accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(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 upon the 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, I, Robert
Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor, Washington Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment
against Currituck County:
$500.00 1 of 1 violations of the Permit Monthly Average for Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as N) per the limits
established in Permit No. WQ0035706

$500.00 1 of 1 violations of the Permit Monthly Average for Nitrogen, Total (as N) per the limits established
in Permit No. WQ0035706

$500.00 1 of 1 violations of the Permit Monthly Average for Phosphorus, Total (as P) per the limits
established in Permit No. WQ0035706

$0.00 for 0 of the 1 failures to properly monitor pH in violation of Permit No. WQ0035706.

$1,500.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY
$46.35 Enforcement Costs
$1,546.35 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE

Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A(c), in determining the amount of the penalty I 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 quality or on air quality;
(4) The 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 complying or failing to comply with programs over which the Environmental
Management Commission has regulatory 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 waiver
form). 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 five 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 of any 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 whether a remission request will be approved, the following factors shall be considered:

(1) whether one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in NCGS 143B-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 the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions.

Please note that all evidence presented in support 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 and submit the enclosed “Request for Remission of Civil Penalties,
Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing, and Stipulation of Facts” form within thirty (30) days of receipt of this
notice. The Division of Water Resources also requests that you 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 27699-1617

Option 3: File a petition for an administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings:

If you wish to contest any statement in the attached assessment document, 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 normal 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. The 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 Administrative Hearings within seven (7) business days following the faxed or electronic transmission. You
should contact the Office of Administrative Hearings with all questions regarding the filing fee and/or the details of the
filing process.

The mailing address and telephone and fax numbers for the Office of Administrative Hearings are as follows:

6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 6714
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DEQ as follows:

Mr. William F. 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 Randy Sipe with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Washington
Regional Office at [phone] or via email at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Washington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS

Cc: Laserfiche

JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST

Case Number: LM-2021-0048 County: Currituck
Assessed Party: Currituck County
Permit No.: WQ0035706 Amount Assessed: $1,546.35

Please use this form when requesting remission of this civil penalty. You must also complete the “Request For Remission,
Waiver of 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
remission is not the proper procedure for contesting whether the violation(s) occurred or the accuracy of any of the factual
statements contained in the civil penalty assessment document. Pursuant to N.C.G.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).

___ (a) one or more of the civil penalty assessment factors in N.C.G.S. 143B-282.1(b) were wrongfully applied to the
detriment of the petitioner (the assessment factors are listed in the civil penalty assessment document);

___ (b) the violator promptly abated continuing environmental damage resulting from the violation (i.e., explain the
steps that you took to correct the violation and prevent future occurrences);

___ (c) the violation was inadvertent or a result of an accident (i.e., explain why the violation was unavoidable or
something you could not prevent or prepare for);

___ (d) the violator had not been assessed civil penalties for any previous violations;

___ (e) payment of the civil penalty will prevent payment for the remaining necessary remedial actions (i.e., explain
how payment of the civil penalty will prevent you from performing the activities necessary to achieve
compliance).

EXPLANATION:

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

COUNTY OF CURRITUCK

IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN
OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND
) STIPULATION OF FACTS
Currituck County )
Moyock Regional WWTP )
)
PERMIT NO. WQ0035706 ) CASE NO. LM-2021-0048

Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $1,546.35 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the
Division of Water Resources dated November 18, 2021, the undersigned, desiring to seek remission of the civil penalty, does
hereby waive the right to an administrative hearing in the above-stated matter and does stipulate that the facts are as 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 of
assessment. No new evidence in support of a remission request will be allowed after (30) days from the receipt of the notice
of assessment.

This the day of , 20_____

__________________________________________
SIGNATURE

ADDRESS

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

TELEPHONE

___________________________________________

ATTACHMENT A Currituck County
CASE NUMBER: LM-2021-0048

PERMIT: WQ0035706 REGION: Washington
FACILITY: Moyock Regional WWTP COUNTY: Currituck ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIMIT VIOLATION(S) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SAMPLE LOCATION: PPI001

Violation Report Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Violation Penalty
Date Month/Yr Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Type Amount ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/30/2021 6-2021 Nitrogen, Ammonia 2 X month mg/l 4 5.8 45.0 Monthly $500.00
Total (as N) Average
Exceeded ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/30/2021 6-2021 Nitrogen, Total (as N) 2 X month mg/l 7 7.4 5.7 Monthly $500.00
Average
Exceeded ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/30/2021 6-2021 Phosphorus, Total (as 2 X month mg/l 3 3.11 3.7 Monthly $500.00
P) Average
Exceeded ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MONITORING VIOLATION(S) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SAMPLE LOCATION:

Violation Report Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Violation Penalty
Date Month/Yr Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Type Amount ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6/12/2021 6-2021 pH 5 X week su Frequency $0.00
Violation ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________