HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0015052_LM-2021-0035_Enforcement (Letter)_20211004 (2)DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT
Violator: Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc
Facility Name: Village at Ocean Hill WWTP
Permit Number: W00015052
County: Currituck
Case Number: LM-2021-0035
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 — No documented fish kills or health risk to the public. Exceeding permitted limits for Fecal Coliform and
Total Suspended Solids could cause Water Quality Standard Violations. Not reporting Turbidity as required in the
event that there is a significant Turbidity limit violation could cause Water Quality Standard Violations and limit the
Department of Environmental Quality's ability to respond to such a violation.
2) The duration and gravity of the violation;
During the month of February 2021, the facility exceeded permitted limits for Fecal Coliform and Total Suspended
Solids. The daily maximum for Fecal Coliform was exceeded on 02/25/2021 by approximately 9580% and 2648% on
02/26/2021. The monthly geometric mean for Fecal Coliform was exceeded by approximately 87% for the month of
February 2021. The daily maximum for Total Suspended Solids was exceeded by approximately 40% on 02/25/2021
and the monthly average for Total Suspended Solids was exceeded approximately 118% for the month of February
2021. Turbidity is required to be reported continuously and it was not reported on the 27t' and 28t' of February 2021.
3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality;
Unknown — No documented fish kills or health risk to the public. Exceeding permitted limits for Fecal Coliform and
Total Suspended Solids could cause Water Quality Standard Violations. Not reporting Turbidity as required in the
event that there is a significant Turbidity limit violation could cause Water Quality Standard Violations and limit the
Department of Environmental Quality's ability to respond to such a violation.
4) The cost of rectifying the damage;
Unknown
5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance;
Unknown — Money has likely been saved via withholding funds to properly operate and maintain the facility.
6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally;
Unknown
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
Over the last 24 months the facility received 1 NOD. 2 NOV, 5 NOI and an enforcement package. The facility has a
chronic history of exceeding TSS, Ammonia and Fecal Limits. The facility also has a history of various monitoring
and frequency violations. Recent inspections have shown the facility is currently in a state of disrepair and is not
being properly operated or properly maintained.
8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures.
$58.82
10/4/2021 Rottil Te0,141441
Date
Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Washington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretory
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
Certified Mail # 7019 2970 0001 3139 8985
Return Receipt Requested
William Galen Freed
113 Duck Woods Dr
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
October 4, 2021
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty
for Violations of Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0015052
Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc
Village at Ocean Hill WWTP
Case No. LM-2021-0035
Currituck County
Dear Mr. Freed:
This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $858.82 ($800.00 civil penalty
+ $58.82 enforcement costs) against Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc.
This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the Non -Discharge Monitoring
Report (NDMR) submitted by Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc for the month of February 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. WQ0015052. The violations, which occurred in February 2021, are summarized in Attachment A to this
letter.
Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc violated the terms,
conditions or requirements of Non -discharge Permit No. WQ0015052 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).
D_Q
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Washington Regional Office 1943 Washington Square MaEI I Washington, North Carolina 22889
252946.6481
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 Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc:
$200.00 2 of 2 violations of the Permit Daily Maximum for Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC Broth, 44.5 C per
the limits established in Permit No. WQ0015052
$100.00 1 of 1 violations of the Permit Daily Maximum for Solids, Total Suspended per the limits
established in Permit No. WQ0015052
$250.00 1 of 1 violations of the Permit Monthly Average for Solids, Total Suspended per the limits
established in Permit No. WQ0015052
$250.00 1 of 1 violations of the Permit Monthly Geometric Mean for Coliform, Fecal MF, MFC Broth,
44.5 C per the limits established in Permit No. WQ0015052
$0.00 for 0 of the 2 failures to properly monitor Turbidity, HCH Turbidimiter in violation of Permit No.
WQ0015052.
$800.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY
$58.82 Enforcement Costs
$858.82 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: (919) 431-3000
Fax: (919) 431-3100
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 Paul Mays with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Washington
Regional Office at (252) 948-3940 or via email at paul.mays@ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
Zdua Te.4•144.44
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-2021-0035
Assessed Party: Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc
Permit No.: WQ0015052
County: Currituck
Amount Assessed: $858.82
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
OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST
Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc
Village at Ocean Hill WWTP
PERMIT NO. WQ0015052
WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND
STIPULATION OF FACTS
CASE NO. LM-2021-0035
Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $858.82 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division
of Water Resources dated October 4, 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
Enviro-Tech of North Carolina Inc
CASE NUMBER: LM-2021-0035
PERMIT: WQ0015052
FACILITY: Village at Ocean Hill WWTP
REGION: Washington
COUNTY: Currituck
LIMIT VIOLATION(S)
SAMPLE LOCATION:
Violation Report Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Violation Penalty
Date Month/Yr Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Type Amount
2/25/2021 2-2021 Coliform, Fecal MF, 2 X month #/100m1 25 2,420 9,580.0 Daily
MFC Broth, 44.5 C Maximum
Exceeded
$100.00
2/26/2021 2-2021 Coliform, Fecal MF, 2 X month #/100m1 25 687 2,648.0 Daily
MFC Broth, 44.5 C Maximum
Exceeded
$100.00
2/28/2021 2-2021 Coliform, Fecal MF, 2 X month #/100m1 14 26.21 87.2 Monthly
MFC Broth, 44.5 C Geometric
Mean
Exceeded
$250.00
2/25/2021 2-2021 Solids, Total
Suspended
2 X month mg/I 10 14 40.0 Daily
Maximum
Exceeded
$100.00
2/28/2021 2-2021 Solids, Total
Suspended
2 X month mg/I 5 10.9 118.0 Monthly
Average
Exceeded
$250.00
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
2/27/2021 2-2021 Turbidity, HCH
Turbidimiter
Continuous ntu
Frequency
Violation
$0.00
2/28/2021 2-2021 Turbidity, HCH Continuous ntu Frequency
Turbidimiter Violation
$0.00