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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0020389_LV-2022-0037_20220204ROY COOPER Governor EUZABETH S. BISER Secretory S. DANIEL SMITH Director Certified Mail # 7020 3160 0000 4109 5114 Return Receipt Requested Fred Nelson, Town Manager Town of Benson PO Box 69 Benson, NC 27504-0069 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality February 4, 2022 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES WW Permit No. NC0020389 Town of Benson Benson WWTP Case No. LV-2022-0037 Johnston County Dear Mr. Nelson: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $2,036.57 ($2,000.00 civil penalty + $36.57 enforcement costs) against Town of Benson. This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) submitted by Town of Benson for the month of September 2021. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0020389. The violations, which occurred in September 2021, are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Town of Benson violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NC0020389 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) 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). North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Raeigh Regional Office 13800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh North Carolina 27609 919.791.4200 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, Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor, Raleigh Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Town of Benson: $1,000.00 1 of 1 violations of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No. NC0020389, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Monthly Average for BOD, 5-Dav (20 Deg. C) - Concentration $1,000.00 1 of 1 violations of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No. NC0020389, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Monthly Average for Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as N) - Concentration $0.00 0 of 1 violations of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No. NC0020389, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Quarterly Average for Phosphorus, Total (as P) - Concentration $2,000.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $36.57 Enforcement Costs $2,036.57 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.md 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 27699-160I 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 Mitchell Hayes with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Raleigh Regional Office at (919) 791-4200 or via email at mitch.hayes@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Raleigh Regional Office - Enforcement File Laserfiche JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: LV-2022-0037 Assessed Party: Town of Benson Permit No.: NC0020389 County: Johnston Amount Assessed: $2,036.57 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. § I43B-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 JOHNSTON IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST Town of Benson Benson WWTP PERMIT NO. NC0020389 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS CASE NO. LV-2022-0037 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $2,036.57 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated January 31, 2022, 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 DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT Violator: Town of Benson Facility Name: Benson WWTP Permit Number: NC0020389 County: Johnston Case Number: LV-2022-0037 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; Monthly permit limit for ammonia -nitrogen was exceeded by 288%. Monthly permit limit for BOD was exceeded by 25.5%. Nutrients and pathogens to surface waters. 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; The violations occurred during September 2021. 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; The effect on surface water quality include increased nutrients and pathogens. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; The cost of rectifying the damage is not given. 5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; It is believed that no money was saved by the noncompliance. 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; It does not appear that the violations were 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; There have been 2 enforcements against the violator within the past 12 months. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. $36.57 7�tc 2, ?c`2Z Date tit- Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ PERMIT: NC0020389 FACILITY: Benson WWTP ATTACHMENT A Town of Benson CASE NUMBER: LV-2022-0037 LIMIT VIOLATIONS) SAMPLE LOCATION: Outfall 001 - Effluent REGION: Raleigh COUNTY: Johnston Violation Report Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Violation Penalty Date Month/Yr Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Type Amount 9/30/2021 9-2021 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. 5 X week mg/I 5 6.28 25.5 Monthly $1,000.00 C) - Concentration Average Exceeded 9/30/2021 9-2021 Nitrogen, Ammonia 5 X week mg/I 1 3.88 288.4 Monthly $1,000.00 Total (as N) - Average Concentration Exceeded 9/30/2021 9-2021 Phosphorus, Total (as Weekly mg/I 2 2.3 15.1 Quarterly P) - Concentration Average Exceeded $0.00 . NPDES PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 PERMIT VERSION: 5,0 FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP CLASS: WW-4 OWNER NAME: Town of Benson ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt GRADE: WW-4 ORC HAS CHANGED: No eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 2021) VERSION: 1.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active COUNTY: Johnston ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 STATUS: Submitted SAMPLING LOCATION: EFFLUENT DISCHARGE NO.: 001 NO DISCHARGE*: NO t> 1' c,+ F { 8¢ O 1 i A 50050 00010 00160 50060 C0310 C0610 C0530 31616 00300 condnuous 5 X week 5 X week 5 X week 5 X week 5 X week 2 X week 2 X week 5 X week Recorder Grab Grab Grab Composite Composite Composite Grab Grab FLOW TEMP.0 pH CHLORINE B00 - Coae NHAN-Coot TSS-Cone RCOLI BR t10 MO dock Be 2400clock 1ln Yr61N mgd deg su nil mgA mg1 mg11 81100mI mg/ I 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 0.49! 28.5 6.91 < 10 5 2 0.45 < 2.5 2 7 03 1 0730 24 0646 9.2 Y 1.902 28 4 6.87 < 10 6,3 0.65 7.07 3 0730 24 0650 9.3 Y 1.882 28.5 6.87 <10 5 0.36 < 2 5 31.8 7 0.923 5 0,67 6 0.686 H H H H H H H H 7 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 0.801 27.6 6.9 12 3 0.37 <2.5 717 a 0730 24 0655 9.4 Y 0.929 27.8 6.8 < 10 2.2 035 6.3 713 9 0730 24 0700 9.5 Y 0.693 26.6 6,91 <10 5.4 0,44 <2.5 712 10 0730 24 0700 9 B 1.016 26.3 6.94 <10 4.5 0.22 4.1 7 13 it 0.656 12 0.707 13 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 0.802 26.4 6.86 13 4,s 0.34 31 6.96 14 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 0.911 26 2 7.01 <. 10 5.5 0.35 • 2 5 6.78 15 0730 24 0655 9.4 Y 0.946 26.3 6.82 c 10 3 8 0.14 1 6 83 16 0730 24 0655 9.5 Y 0.521 26 1 6.84 c 10 6.1 0.44 2 5 6.9 17 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 0.642 261 6.83 .::0 6.5 1.28 6.88 10 0.629 19 0.573 20 0730 24 0700 9.5 Y 0.514 27 5 6,87 < 10 3.8 0,47 2 6 94 11 0730 24 0700 9.4 Y 1.297 26.7 6.93 <10 2.8 0.68 < 2 5 6 84 12 0730 24 0646 9.9 Y 0.476 26.9 6.8 < 10 4 9 1 13 6.88 23 0730 24 0646 9.4 Y 1.071 26 6.81 < 10 4.7 2.91 c 2 5 3 1 6 93 21 0730 24 0655 9.1 Y 1.11 25 7 6.9 <10 7.2 7 97 6.99 25 1.011 26 1.096 27 0730 24 0650 10.8 Y 0.633 24.4 6.79 < 10 7 16.6 : 2.5 19 7 61 22 0730 24 0640 9.7 Y 0.812 24.5 6.83 <10 2.1 18 ..4 39 0730 24 0640 9.7 Y 0.956 24.7 6.91 r 10 25 17.3 K 2 5 8 5 11 30 0730 24 0646 9.2 Y 0.774 24.9 6.86 < 10 16 12 12 5.29 Mommy Aware Limit i 9 4 5 t 30 200 Moor>t1y Arente: 0.871 26.480952 1 190476 6.27619 3,884286 0 4 712426 6 856ab? 0114 Ma.lmam: 1902 28 5 7 01 13 25 !B 0 31.13 7 17 Daily M aimum: 0.476 24.4 6.79 0 2.1 0 14 0 1 6 11 •bee No Reporting Reason: ENFRUSE - No Flow-Reuse/Recycle; ENVWT I-IR - No Visitation Adverse Weather; NOFLOW - No Flow; HOLIDAY - No Visitation - Holiday Discharge Monitoring Report - Copy Of Record (COR NC0020389 Ver 1.0_9 2021.pdf) NPDES PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 PERMIT VERSION: 5.0 FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP CLASS: WW-4 OWNER NAME: Town of Benson ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt GRADE: WW-4 ORC HAS CHANGED: No eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 2021) VERSION: 1.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active COUNTY: Johnston ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 STATUS: Submitted SAMPLING LOCATION: DOWNSTREAM DISCHARGE NO.: 001 p 1 I, I x 00900 Quarterly . Grab TOT HARD 2600e1nh mgll 1 2 3 S 6 7 a 9 10 11 13 13 14 IS 16 17 10 19 20 21 22 23 26 2S 26 27 20 29 30 MeuMy Avenge IJmIt Mpaihtr Avenge: Duly Ms.imnm: D0117 Minimum; "" No Reporting Reason ENFRUSE No Flow-Reuse/Retytle; ENVWTHR No Visitation Adverse Weather; NOFLOW - No Flow; HOLIDAY • No Visitation Holiday Discharge Monitoring Report - Copy Of Record (COR_NC0020389_Ver 1.0 9_2021.pdf) NPDES PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 PERMIT VERSION: 5.0 FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP CLASS: WW-4, OWNER NAME: Town of Benson ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt ORC HAS CHANGED: No GRADE: WW-4 eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 202I/ VERSION: 1.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active COUNTY: Johnston ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 STATUS: Submitted SAMPLING LOCATION: EFFLUENT DISCHARGE NO.: 001 NO DISCHARGE*: NO (Continue) 1 ,.1 g t- y i. 8 u O 1 A QY600 QM600 C0600 C0665 00094 01310 00900 00630 00625 01067 Annually Monthly Weekly Weekly 5 X week Monthly Quarterly Weekly Weekly Calculated Calculated Calculated Composite Grab Calculated Composite Composite Composite Calculated TOTAL N- TOTAL N- TOTAL N- TOTAL P- CNDUCTYY TOT FLOW TOT HARD NOMANO2 TOT KJEL NICKEL 2400 clock Nss 2400 clock Hrs WINN Ibs/yr Ib/mon mg/1 mgll umhos/an mgal/month mgA mgA mg/1 mgll 1 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 6.94 3.49 220,5 4.26 2.68 3 0730 24 0646 9,2 Y 2419 3 0730 24 0650 9.3 Y 229.5 4 5 6 H 7 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 2215 8 0730 24 0655 9.4 Y 7 72 2.02 237 $ 5.59 2.13 9 0730 24 0700 9.5 Y 2279 10 0730 24 0700 9 B 226.9 11 12 13 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 233.3 14 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 233 7 10 0730 24 0655 9.4 Y $.25 2.4 230.9 6 37 1 88 16 0730 24 0655 9.5 Y 241.5 17 0730 24 0655 9.2 Y 237 4 10 19 20 0730 24 0700 9.5 Y 238 21 0730 24 0700 9.4 Y 2171 23 0730 24 0646 9.9 Y 7 93 3 214.6 4.86 3 07 33 0730 24 0646 9.4 Y 245.2 u 0730 24 0655 9.1 Y 232.6 Ls se 17 0730 24 0650 10.8 Y 245.8 ss 0730 24 0640 9.7 Y 249 7 29 0730 24 0640 9.7 Y 18.19 3.47 251.2 0.61 17 58 30 0730 24 0646 9.2 Y 2136.96 230,9 26.13 •' 10 Moodily Average Ltroht MaadayArenie 2136.96 9 806 2.876 233.695238 26.13 4 338 5 468 0 Day Ma.imam: 2136.% 18.19 3 49 251 2 26.13 6.37 17 58 0 Daily Minimum 2136.96 6.94 2 02 214.6 26.13 0.61 1 88 0 ••" No Reporting Reason: ENFRUSE -, No Flow-Reuse/Recycle; ENVWTHR - No Visitation Adverse Weather; NOFLOW - No Flow; HOLIDAY - No Visitation Hol day Discharge Monitoring Report - Copy Of Record (COR_NC0020389 Ver_l.0_9_2021.pdt) NPDES PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP OWNER NAME: Town of Benson GRADE: WW-4 eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 2021) PERMIT VERSION: 5.0 CLASS: WW-4. ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt ORC HAS CHANGED: No VERSION: 1.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active COUNTY: Johnston ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 STATUS: Submitted SAMPLING LOCATION: INFLUENT DISCHARGE NO.: 001 e ,.11 pip t! 1 41 1g g A C0310 C0530 5 X week 2 X week Composite Composite SOD -Cox TSS-Cox 2400 On mgil mgtl 1 0740 24 184 127 2 0740 24 248 3 0740 24 182 121 4 5 6 H H 7 0740 24 71 115 8 0740 24 85 9 0740 24 1.15 127 10 0740 24 11:4 11 12 13 0740 24 55 14 0740 24 57 104 15 0740 24 99 16 0740 24 62 145 17 0740 24 95 10 19 20 0740 24 117 21 0740 24 54 105 21 0740 24 114 23 0740 24 88 115 24 0740 24 60 25 26 27 0740 24 196 114 28 0740 24 58 29 0740 24 114 116 30 0740 24 67 Montkly Awn, Wile Monthly Avenue 107 142857 118.9 D.ap Maximum: 246 145 D10p Minimum:54 104 e•ie No Reporting Reason: ENFRUSE No Flow-Reuse/Recycle; ENVWTHR No Visitation Adverse Weather; NOFLOW No Flow, HOLIDAY - No Visitation Holiday Discharge Monitoring Report - Copy Of Record (COR NC0020389_Ver_1.0_9 2021.pdf) NPDES PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP OWNER NAME: Town of Benson GRADE: WW-4 eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 2021) PERMIT VERSION: 5.0 CLASS: WW-4. ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt ORC HAS CHANGED: No VERSION: 1.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active COUNTY: Johnston ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 STATUS: Submitted SAMPLING LOCATION: UPSTREAM DISCHARGE NO.: 001 AJ e1 2 Quarterly Gab TOT HARD 2400 dark mg4 1 2 i 5 6 7 e 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 29 30 Monthly A.sn`e Limit: Maalbtr Msrase: Daily Maaimom: Daily Minimum: •aea No Reporting Reason: ENFRUSE - No Flow-Reuse/Recycle; ENVWTHR - No Visitation - Adverse Weather; NOFLOW • No Flow; HOLIDAY a No Visitation • Holiday Discharge Monitoring Report - Copy Of Record (COR NC0020389 Ver_1.0_9 2021.pdi) NPDES PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 PERMIT VERSION: 5.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP CLASS: WW-4. COUNTY: Johnston OWNER NAME: Town of Benson ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 GRADE: WW-4 ORC HAS CHANGED: No eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 2021) VERSION: 1.0 STATUS: Submitted COMPLIANCE STATUS: Non -Compliant CONTACT PHONE #: 9198942373 SUBMISSION DATE: 10/282021 Electronically Certified by Brian Leavitt on 2021-10-27 11:07:46.734 ORC. Certifier Signature:Brian Leavitt I certify that this report is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. Phone #1:919-902-9599 Date The permittee shall report to the Director or the appropriate Regional Office any noncompliance that potentially threatens public health or the environment. Any information shall be provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee became aware of the circumstances. A written submission shall also be provided within 5 days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances. The written submission shall be made as required by part II.E.6 of the NPDES permit. Electronically Signed by Tim Robbins on 2021-10-28 09:51:30.043 Permittee/Submitter Signature: ***Tim Robbins Phone #:919-427-9053 Date Permittee Address: 770 Hannah Creek Rd Benson NC 27504 Permit Expiration Date: 04/30/2026 I certify, under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who managed the system, or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations. CERTIFIED LABORATORIES LAB NAME: Benson POTW Lab CERTIFIED LAB #: #196; 2nd Lab Environment 1 #10 PERSON(s) COLLECTING SAMPLES: Staff Names on tile PARAMETER. CODES Parameter Code assistance may be obtained by visiting https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/edmr/user-documentation. FOOTNOTES Use only units of measurement designated in the reporting facility's NPDES permit for reporting data. * No Flow/Discharge From Site: YES indicates that No Flow/Discharge occurred and, as a result, no data is reported for any parameter on the DMR for the entire monitoring period. ** ORC on Site?: ORC must visit facility and document visitation of facility as required per 15A NCAC 8G .0204. *** Signature of Permittee: If signed by other than the permittee, then delegation of the signatory authority must be on file with the state per 15A NCAC 2B ,0506(b)(2)(D). Discharge Monitoring Report - Copy Of Record (COR_NC0020389_Ver 1.0 9_2021.pdf) NPDFS PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 PERMIT VERSION: 5.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP CLASS: WW-4. COUNTY: Johnston OWNER NAME: Town of Benson ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 GRADE: WW-4 ORC HAS CHANGED: No eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 2021) VERSION: 1.0 STATUS: Submitted Report Comments: Equipment breakdown resulted in poor mixing and settling of activated sludge in anoxic ditch, The effect of the settling was to reduce treatment and increase TP, BOD, and NH3. The replacement mixer is on a long lead time to replace We have implemented countermeasures to increase mixing and aeration to bring the treatment back under control, but exceeded parameters in the last week of the month and monthly averages for BOD and NH3_ NPDES PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 PERMIT VERSION: 5.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP CLASS: WW-4. COUNTY: Johnston OWNER NAME: Town of Benson ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 GRADE: WW-4 ORC HAS CHANGED: No eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 2021) VERSION: 1.0 STATUS: Submitted Outfa11001 - Downstream Comments: No sampling NPDES PERMIT NO.: NC0020389 PERMIT VERSION: 5.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active FACILITY NAME: Benson WWTP CLASS: WW-4 COUNTY: Johnston OWNER NAME: Town of Benson ORC: Brian Peter Leavitt ORC CERT NUMBER: 1007653 GRADE: WW-4 ORC HAS CHANGED: No eDMR PERIOD: 09-2021 (September 20212 VERSION: 1.0 STATUS: Submitted Outfall 001 - Upstream Comments: No sampling ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretory S. DANIEL SMITH ReticolembaBowestal Frederick D Nelson, Interim Manager Town Town of Benson 303 E Church St Benson, NC 27504-0069 NORTH CAROLINA EnvIroarmartaiQuaay November 4, 2021 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY Tracking Number: NOV 2021-LV-0839 Permit No. NC0020389 Benson WWTP Johnston County Dear Mr. Nelson: A review of the September 2021 Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) for the subject facility revealed the violation(s) indicated below: Limit Exceedance Vlolation(s)t Sample Limit Reported Location Parameter Date Value Value Type of Violation 001 Effluent BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) - 9/30/2021 5 6.28 Monthly Average Exceeded Concentration (C70310) 001 Effluent 001 Effluent Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as N) - Concentration (0O610) Phosphorus, Total (as P) - Concentration (C0665) 9/30/2021 1 3.88 Monthly Average Exceeded 9/30/2021 2 2.3 Quarterly Average Exceeded 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 fadlity's NPDES WW Permit. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a dvil 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. Norio: ow Depremint of Endmmienuectudirt I DAM=of YViargnoUan IMO'!Willard 01fksIWOO Dirndl Dan IUN" NorthOmRr MOO 11119.11114200 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 information provided on the submitted Monitoring Report(s). 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 antidpate 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 induding 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 have any questions concerning this matter or to apply for an SOC, please contact Mitchell Hayes of the Raleigh Regional Office at 919-791-4200. Sincerely, Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Cc: WQS Raleigh Regional Office - Enforcement File Laserflche Nerds dthisOtp.rormtd6wbtr i *y 9AM$041Water Remoras R�eph7M/miMee I7100Omen OA.f PM" WelCaria17R00 aU .42a0 ROY COOPER Governor EUZABETH S. BISER Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director Certifipd Maihr 7020 3160 ONO 4115 6361 turn Rif* Ritameated Frederick D Nelson, Interim Manager Town Town of Benson 303 E Church St Benson, NC 27504-0069 NORTH LINA eal lty November 4, 2021 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY Tracking Number: NOV-2021-LV-0839 Permit No. NC0020389 Benson WWTP Johnston County Dear Mr. Nelson: A review of the September 2021 Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) for the subject facility revealed the violation(s) indicated below: Limit Exceedance Vlolation(s): Sample Limit Reported Location Parameter Date Value Value Type of Violation 001 Effluent BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) - 9/30/2021 5 6.28 Monthly Average Exceeded Concentration (C0310) 001 Effluent Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as 9/30/2021 1 3.88 Monthly Average Exceeded N) - Concentration (C0610) 001 Effluent Phosphorus, Total (as P) - 9/30/2021 2 2.3 Quarterly Average Exceeded Concentration (C0665) 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 falls to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. North mbuDeoaraMntafFnwaraerialQuaRry 1 OBAtlenonVatertteeaaeaa IWO/lib"lons10111ce ! 3110011errwt Dee I ReletaltUMrtACaraRna2fW9 9w0«.9Zo0 s Complete Itema 1, 2, end 3. s Pdnt yvllr name and address on the reverse so that we oan return the crud to you. • Attach tills cant to the back of the maIlplece, or on the aunt It space. pemilts. 1. AWUNtI Addressed*. FREDERICK D. NELSON, INTERIM TOWN MANAGER TOWN OF BENSON 303 E. CHURCH STREET BENSON, NC 27504.0069 NOV 2021-LV-0839 / NOV-INTENT TO ASSESS / 20211109 BENSON BMWs / NE0020389 / lOHNSTON COUNTY REC: 7020 3160 0000 4115 6365 / M 11/04/2021 1IIIII1I1Emaiu9ixn 1�APO ©Addrre C Date Del D. IB - address different ten Item 1? Yell (RYES, enter delivery often below Q No 8. Bente'lype Q Onflfedefeile RnbbledOreYery CI Onreled MIS Ruefebed Dainty Dairy 2. Article Number lllanelbr!}arrr a�erwce labelO en Ca bot en Delmriamblated Wray 7020 3160 0000 4115 6365 rioted Dream PS Fam13611. Ju y 2Qt8 psN 1 i-0oo-oo53 m m a r C3 CI C3 D CI -u m O nJ M1 O Pdally MfeS Emms3 O Roglie ed MIS cr MIS RMb1oSsd D kiallebrunVptfor 0 Bgmtwe Ca 0mdlon Reseloted Deter/ Domestb Realm Receipt 1 U.S. Postal Service" CERTIFIED MAIL` RECEIPT ii71,.1iii II'C'7 - ',II V. • OF I IAL USE Dime=I eaptIwdoovW $ ORwFFnnrarNtBl.oawAq $ CIWNW I 1IN oled°Airy e DAM *aim WOW e pD * AuldolidDam $ 19 FREDERICK D. NELSON, INTERIM TOWN MANAGER TOWN OF BENSON ti' 303 E. CHURCH STREET BENSON, NC 27504-0069 5fr NOV-2021.LV-0839 / NOV-INTENT TO ASSESS / 20211109 BENSON WWTP / NC0020389 /JONNSTON COUNTY of REC: 7020 3160 0000 4115 6365 / M 11/01/2021 F�i�Ir i . •...• I}!.7;} i i MPS v 1L 9590 9402 3415 722? 6612 88 Un !}, t FE.... art I{II hu',I�ucLons Mai Postage & FeesPaid USPS Pemdt No. 0-10 "le Sender. Please print your name, address, and ZIP+4• In this box* NCDEQ DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY RALEIGH REGIONAL OFFICE 3800 BARRETT DRIVE RALEIGH, NC 27609 '1161111s rhithriehiph illi op rig fp, 111 II ill ei lialitorl !Ias! DocuSign Envelope ID: D57B5FFD-136C-4BC7-8A1C-5788CF31DC0D Permit NC0020389 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES PERMIT TO DISCHARGE WASTEWATER UNDER THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM In compliance with the provisions of North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1, other lawful standards and regulations promulgated and adopted by the North Carolina Water Quality Commission, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Town of Benson is hereby authorized to discharge wastewater from a facility located at the Benson Wastewater Treatment Facility 770 Hannah Creek Road (south of I-95) Four Oaks Johnston County to receiving waters designated as Hannah Creek in the Neuse River Basin in accordance with the discharge limitations, monitoring requirements, and other conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III and IV hereof. This permit shall become effective: May 1, 2021. This permit and authorization to discharge shall expire at midnight on April 30, 2026. Signed this day: April 12, 2021. 1DocuSIgned by: C464531431644FE... for S. Daniel Smith, Director Division of Water Resources By Authority of the Environmental Management Commission DocuSign Envelope ID: D5785FFD-136C-48C7-9A1C-5788CF31DCOD Permit NC0020389 PART I A. (1.) EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS [15A NCAC 02B .0400 et seq., 02B .0500 et seq.] Grade IV Biological Water Pollution Control System [15A NCAC 08G .0302] Beginning on the effective date of this permit and lasting until expiration, the Permittee is authorized to discharge treated wastewater from Outfall 001. Such discharges shall be limited and monitored' by the Permittee as specified below: PARAMETER CHARACTERISTICS Parameter Code EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Weekly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location = Flow 50050 1.9 MGD Continuous RecordingInfluent or Effluent Total Monthly Flow (MG) 3 82220 Monitor and Report Monthly Recorded or Calculated Effluent BOD 5-day, 20°C (April 1—October 31) 4 C0310 5.0 mg/L 7.5 mg/L Daily Composite Influent & Effluent BOD 5-day, 20°C C0310 (November 1— March 31) 4 10.0 mg/L 15.0 m 2/week 14 Composite p° Influent & Effluent Total Suspended Solids C0530 (TSS) 4 30.0 mg/L 45.0 mg/L 2/week 14 Composite Influent & Effluent Ammonia (NH, as N) C0610 (April 1- October 31) 1.0 mg/L 3.0 mg/L Daily Composite Effluent Ammonia (NH3 as N) C0610 (November 1- March 31) 2.0 mg/L 6.0 mg/L 2lweek 14 Composite Effluent pH 00400 Between 6.0 and 9.0 standard units Daily Grab Effluent Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 00300 Daily Average a 6.0 mg/L Daily Grab Effluent Fecal Coliform 31616 (. eometric mean) 200/100 mL 400/100 mL 2/week 14 Grab Effluent Temperature (°C) 00010 Monitor and Report Daily Grab Effluent Conductivity (mohmslcm) 00094 Monitor and Report Daily Grab Effluent Total Residual Chlorine 50060 (TRC) 5 17 pg1L Daily Grab Effluent TKN (mg/L) 6 00625 Monitor and Report Weekly Composite Effluent NO3-N + NO2-N (mg/L) 6 00630 Monitor and Report Weekly Composite Effluent TN (mg/L) 3,6 C0600 Monitor and Report Weekly Composite Effluent 0M600 TN Load 3 0Y600 Monitor and Report (pounds/month) Monthly Calculated Effluent 33,070 pounds/year (annual mass loading)? Annually Calculated Effluent Total Phosphorus C0665 2.0 mg/L (Quarterly Average)° Weekly Composite Effluent Total Nickel 9 01067 62.1 pg/L 558.9 pg/L Monthly Composite Effluent Chronic Toxicity 1a TGP3B Monitor and Report Quarterly Composite Effluent Effluent Pollutant Scan NC01 Monitor and Report See Footnote 11 Effluent Total Hardness [as 00900 CaC031(mg1L)12 Monitor and Report po QuarterlyComposite po . Effluent Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 00300 Monitor and Report Variable 2 Grab U & D Fecal Coliiform (geometric 31616 mean) Monitor and Report Variable 2 Grab U & D Temperature (°C) 00010 Monitor and Report Variable 2 Grab 11 & D Cont. on next page Page 1 of 10 1locublgn I nye lope IL} IJb/k35hI-0-13be-4bUF-9A1e-5( el-31DCUD Permit NC0020389 PARAMETER CHARACTERISTICS Parameter Code EFFLUENT LIMITS MONITORING REQUIREMENTS Monthly Average Weekly Average Daily Maximum Measurement Frequency Sample Type Sample Location 2 Conductivity (mohms/cm) 00094 Monitor and Report Variable 2 Grab U & D Total Hardness 3as 00900 CaCO3I (mglL) Monitor and Report Quarterly Grab U & D Footnotes: 1. Submit discharge monitoring reports electronically using the NC DWR's eDMR application system. See section A. (8.). 2. U: Upstream at the culvert on NCSR 1158. D: Downstream at NCSR 1227. Stream samples shall be grab samples collected 3/Week from June to September and 1/Week during the remaining months of the year. As a participant in the Lower Neuse River Basin Association, the instream monitoring requirements as stated above are waived. Should your membership in the association be terminated, you shall notify the Division immediately and the instream monitoring requirements specified in your permit shall be reinstated. 3. Total Nitrogen Load is the mass quantity of Total Nitrogen (TN) discharged in a given period of time and requires Total Monthly Flow (TMF). See condition A. (3.). Calculation of Total Nitrogen Loads. 4. The monthly average effluent BOD5 and Total Suspended Residue concentrations shall not exceed 15% of the respective influent value (85% removal). 5. Total Residual Chlorine compliance is required if chlorine or chlorine derivative is used for disinfection. The Division shall consider all effluent TRC values reported below 50 ug/1 to be in compliance with the permit. However, the Permittee shall continue to record and submit all values reported by a North Carolina certified laboratory (including field certified), even if these values fall below 50 ug/l. 6. For a given wastewater sample, Total Nitrogen (TN) = TKN + (NO3-N + NO2-N) where TKN is Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, and (NO3-N + NO2-N) is Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen. 7. Compliance with this limit shall be determined in accordance with conditions A. (4.) Annual Limits for Total Nitrogen. and A. (5.) Total Nitrogen Allocations. 8. The quarterly average for total phosphorus shall be the average of composite samples collected weekly during the calendar quarter (January -March, April -June, July -September, October -December). 9. Monitoring for Nickel shall be conducted in conjunction with the Chronic Toxicity monitoring. 10. Chronic Toxicity (Ceriodaphnia dubia) P/F at 90%: January, April, July, and October [see condition A. (2.)]. Toxicity monitoring shall coincide with metals monitoring. 11. The permittee shall perform three Effluent Pollutant Scans during the term of this permit [see A. (7.)]. 12. Effluent Total Hardness sampling shall be performed in conjunction with testing for hardness - dependent metals (cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, silver, and zinc). 13. The permittee shall sample instream hardness upstream of the facility's discharge. The sample shall be representative of the hardness in the receiving stream. If the permittee is a member of a monitoring coalition program, sampling for instream hardness may be waived as long as the monitoring coalition agrees to sample hardness at the nearest upstream location, at a minimum frequency of quarterly, and the permittee has obtained approval from DWR-NPDES Permitting Unit that the upstream station being monitored by the Coalition is representative of the receiving stream for this discharge. The permittee is responsible for submitting instream hardness test results with its permit renewal application package. If Coalition membership is cancelled or the Coalition terminates instream hardness sampling at the approved station, the permittee will immediately notify the Division and resume sampling for instream hardness upstream of its discharge. 14. 2/week sampling must occur on any two non-consecutive days during the calendar week. There shall be no discharge of floating solids or visible foam in other than trace amounts. Page 2 of 10 Hayes, Mitch From: Brian Leavitt <bleavitt@townofbenson.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 6, 2021 1:54 PM To: Hayes, Mitch Cc: Tim Robbins Subject: [External] Town of Benson permit limit exceedence CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to Report Spam. Mr. Hayes, I am contacting you to report that the Town of Benson WWTP, NPDES Permit #0020389, has experienced an interruption in our treatment process that will result in limit violations for weekly Ammonia Nitrogen, quarterly Total Phosphorous and weekly BOD. We had some equipment failures in our aeration ditches earlier in the year that resulted in less ability to provide good aeration and mixing. Our numbers have been trending upward over the last few months while waiting on the replacement equipment to be delivered, but unfortunately there are excessive delivery times on the mixers we ordered back in April. We had been able to remain in compliance up until this point, but believe we may have had something dumped on us that has thrown the system out of balance. We got an exceedance warning from our commercial lab for Ammonia Nitrogen and BOD. We have investigated and introduced countermeasures that are looking for be turning things around, but wanted to notify you that the September eDMR will be in non- compliance. Please let me know if you have any questions or require further information. Thank you, Brian Leavitt Superintendent / ORC Town of Benson WWTP (919)902-9599 1 Permit Enforcement History Details by Owner Town of Benson :( O H (• co ) 0 c E • da • d To W I- 0. O • co 4.1 m O Q 2Ea cl2l- c O N O 0w 0 m C N 3 ✓ E O W K co z • O m W S Remission m 3 0 g C co 0 0 01 CR E v • € m2 {L d S 0 2 O co O O z O O 0 0 O O fA O 0 69 3/21/90 $150.00 LR-1990-017( 0) rn O Z O O O 61 to o) tet cd a 0 0 O 4, 10/14/93$7,000.00 WQ-1993-001 O z 0 0 O ER 0 O t9 O 0 O V9 3/27/96 $500.00 LT-1996-0003 $0.00 No 8/3/99 N 69 6/17/99 $1,000.00 PC-1998-001: 0 O z O 0 O u9 8 0 O 0 d9 O O 69 O fR 3/6/02 $1,000.00 LT-2002-0001 O 0 0 z O 0 O 4, 0 0 N N CO CO 0 0 0 O 0 0 (0 DV-2001-002: o O z O 0 0 to 3 E9 3/17/03 $1,000.00 LV-2003-018C 0 Ih 0 z O O O a z O 0 0 N9 TX-2014-000' 12-2013 3/5/14 u0 0 2 O 0 0 69 0 0 In 69 0 fH LV-2014-009f 8-2013 7/14/14 $500.00 0 O z 0 0 0 d9 8(^ A M to T 0 0 LV-2014-010C 10-2013 7/14/14 $3,500.00 0 0 O z 0 0 0 CO aS O M 64 co LV-2014-0101 11-2013 7/14/14 $3,000.00 110 O z O 0 0 fH 8 a 0 69 0) O O z 0 0 0 69 CO n 0 EA ti M w N 0 N 00, N O N 0 z 0 0 6 69 CV 0 z O O O 69 8 b '9 O O 0 0) 3/1/19 5/30/19 $0.00 0 0i 0 O <p 1/18/19 $57,000.00 PC-2018-001! 0 z O 0 0 69 ti lD 69 O O 0 69 7/20/21 912/21 co co 69 0 z 0 O O 69 LM-2021-005: 6-2021 12/2/21 $525.00 Total Balance Due : $3,000.00 Sum Of Total Paid:$90,289.45 Total Enforcement Cost: $2,464.45 Total Penalty Amount: $91,325 0 Total Cases: Total Penalties After Remissions : $93,289.45 Sum of Total Case Penalties: $93,789.45