WQ0041136_NOVNOI2022LV0250_0251_0252_0253_20220421

Certified Mail # 7021 2720 0000 1259 4248
Return Receipt Requested

April 21, 2022

Chris Cervini, President
Cervini Farms North Carolina Inc
PO Box 32660
Detroit, MI 48232

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2022-LV-0250, NOV-2022-LV-0251, NOV-2022-LV-0252 & NOV-2022-LV-0253
Permit No. WQ0041136
Cervini Farms WWTP
Henderson County

Dear Permittee:

A review of the November & December 2021 and January & February 2022 Non-Discharge Monitoring Reports
(NDMRs) for the subject facility revealed the violations indicated below:

Limit Exceedance Violations November (NOV-2022-LV-0250):
Sample Limit Reported
Location Parameter Date Value Value Type of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) 11/16/2021 10 12 Daily Maximum Exceeded
(00310) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) 11/30/2021 5 12 Monthly Average Exceeded
(00310) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Limit Exceedance Violations December 2021 (NOV-2022-LV-0251):
Sample Limit Reported
Location Parameter Date Value Value Type of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as 12/7/2021 2 2.6 Daily Maximum Exceeded
N) (00610) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as 12/31/2021 1 2.1 Monthly Average Exceeded
N) (00610) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD7E5DE9-E2D9-4C26-B48E-45F937113143

Limit Exceedance Violation January 2022 (NOV-2022-LV-0252)
Sample Limit Reported
Location Parameter Date Value Value Type of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as 1/31/2022 1 1.4 Monthly Average Exceeded
N) (00610) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Limit Exceedance Violations February 2022 (NOV-2022-LV-0253)
Sample Limit Reported
Location Parameter Date Value Value Type of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) 2/15/2022 10 23.5 Daily Maximum Exceeded
(00310) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as 2/15/2022 2 9.2 Daily Maximum Exceeded
N) (00610) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) 2/28/2022 5 23.5 Monthly Average Exceeded
(00310) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
001 Nitrogen, Ammonia Total (as 2/28/2022 1 9.2 Monthly Average Exceeded
N) (00610) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reporting Violations-PPI-002
Per Attachment A of the permit, the permittee is required to submit monthly estimated flows of reclaimed water
distributed to the hydroponics facility. This estimation should be submitted on a separate NDMR labeled PPI-002.

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD7E5DE9-E2D9-4C26-B48E-45F937113143

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.

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 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 have any questions concerning this matter or to apply for an SOC, please contact Mikal Willmer of the
Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4686 or via email at [e-mail].

Sincerely,

G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

Ec: LF
Bob Barr, RPB Systems

DocuSign Envelope ID: DD7E5DE9-E2D9-4C26-B48E-45F937113143