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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQCS00179_DV-2022-0086 Case File_20220815DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT Violator: Franklin County Public Utilities Facility Name: Franklin County Collection System Permit Number: WOCS00179 County: Franklin Case Number: DV-2022-0086 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; 13,200 gallons overflowed from Youngsville Regional Pump Station due to severe natural conditions. 11,000 gallons reached an UT to Richland Creek, a class C-NSW in the Neuse River Basin. Nutrients and pathogens to surface waters. 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; The SSO started on 03.17.2022 at 6:30 am and ended the same day at 12:00 pm. 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; „J to. c/L`4A- 1 The effect on surface water quality include increased nutrients and pat ogenskrwt 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 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; There have been two enforcements within the past 12 months. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. $36.57 Date Scot Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Certified Mail # 7020 3160 0000 4109 6357 Return Receipt Requested Christopher Doherty, Director Public Utilities Franklin County Public Utilities 1630 U S Hwy 1 Youngsville, NC 27596-9661 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality August 15, 2022 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(1) and Collection System Permit No. WQCS00179 Franklin County Public Utilities Franklin County Collection System Case No. DV-2022-0086 Franklin County Dear Mr. Doherty: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $786.57 ($750.00 civil penalty • $36.57 enforcement costs) against Franklin County Public Utilities. This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) 5-Day Report submitted by Franklin County Public Utilities. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the requirements found in Collection System Permit No. WQCS00179 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1). The violation(s) that occurred are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Franklin County Public Utilities violated the terms, conditions or requirements of Collection System Permit No. WQCS00179 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1) 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). ,I1E,9'.) North Carolina Department of EnvirmvnentaI Quality I Division of Water Resources Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh. North Carolina 27609 919.7914200 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 Franklin County Public Utilities: $750.00 For 1 of the 1 violations of Collection System Permit No. WQCS00179 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1) for Sanitary Sewer Overflow(s) resulting in a discharge without a valid permit. $750.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $36.57 Enforcement Costs $786.57 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: (I) 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) (2) (3) Submit payment of the penalty, OR Submit a written request for remission, OR 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: Attn: PERCS 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 guest 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 thit notice. The Division of Water Resources also requests that you complete and submit the inclosed "Justification for Remission Request." Both forms should be submitted to the following address: Attn: PERCS Branch Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 AND Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ 1628 Mail Service Center, Raleigh Raleigh, NC 27699-1628 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 Mitchell Hayes with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Raleigh Regional Office at (919) 79I-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: DV-2022-0086 Assessed Party: Franklin County Public Utilities Permit No.: WQCS00179 County: Franklin Amount Assessed: $786.57 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. § 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 FRANKLIN IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST Franklin County Public Utilities Franklin County Collection System PERMIT NO. WQCS00179 WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS CASE NO. DV-2022-0086 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $786.57 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated August 15, 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 ATTACHMENT A Franklin County Public Utilities CASE NUMBER: DV-2022-0086 PERMIT NO: WQCS00179 FACILITY: Franklin County Collection System Other Violations INCIDENT VIOLATION NUMBER DATE VIOLATION TYPE REGION: Raleigh COUNTY: Franklin VIOLATION DESCRIPTION TOTAL VOLUME PENALTY (GALLONS) AMOUNT 202200419 3/17/2022 CSOISSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 13,200 $750.00 ii&F nklin 1 ism. ounty NORTH CAROLINA A Research Triangle Region Community May 2, 2022 Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Division of Water Resources Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Road Raleigh, NC 27609 RE: NOV-2022-DV-0104 Permit Number: WQCS00179 Dear Mr. Vinson, Public Utilities 1630US1N Youngsville, NC 27596 Phone: 919.556.6177 www.fcpu,us Franklin County Public Utilities is in receipt of MOV-2022-DV-0104 dated April 18, 2022. Events that led to this sanitary sewer overflow was heavy rain. This area received three inches of rain in a time span of less that 4 hours. Franklin County Public Utilities has in the capital improvement plan for FY 23 a project to design a larger force main that discharges the pump station where the overflow occurred. Franklin County is confident that this project will greatly lessen the chance of future SSO's occurring within the system. if you have any further questions, please contact our offices at 919-556-6177. Regards, ilillrYr %1114-1-. • . e • ohe Public Utilities Director ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABEfH S. BISER sinewy RICHARD E ROGERS,)R. Director Certified Mall # 7020 3160 0000 4109 5602 Christopher Doherty, Director Public Utilities Franklin County Public Utilities 1630 U S Hwy 1 Youngsvllle, NC 27596-9661 NOA RTH April 18, 2022 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ISSUE CIVIL PENALTY Traddng No.: NOV-2022-DV-0104 Sanitary Sewer overflows - March 2022 Collection System Permit No. WQCS00179 Franklin County Collection System Franklin County Dear Mr. Doherty: A review has been conducted of the self -reported Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO's) 5-Day Reports submitted by Franklin County Public Utilities. The Division's Raleigh Regional Office condudes that the Franklin County Public Utilities violated Permit Condition I (2) of Permit No. WQCS00179 by failing to effectively manage, maintain, and operate their collection system so that there is no SSO (Sanitary Sewer Overflow) to the land or surface waters and the SSO constituted making an outlet to waters of the State for purposes of G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1), for which a permit is required by G.S. 143-215.1. The Raleigh Regional Office is providing the Franklin County Public Utilities an opportunity to provide evidence and justification as to why the Franklin County Public Utilities should not be assessed a dvil penalty for the violation(s) that are summarized below: Inddent Start Duration Number Date (Mlns) Location Cause Total Vol Total Surface Vol Water (Gals) (Gals) DWR Action 202200419 3/17/2022 330 Youngsville Regional Severe Natural 13,200 11,000 Notice of Violation - Pump Station Condition Notice of Intent WWI Careen. o.oirtment Envlionenmrd Quay I Madan al%/bar Ramon ROW Realandallot 43100linen Drive RielpkNorth e eai.rRiM 919.19$A:00 This Notice of Violation / Notice of Intent to Enforce (NOV/NOI) is being issued for the noted violation. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a cvil 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. This office requests that you respond to this Notice, in writing, within 10 business days of its receipt. In your response, you should address the causes of non-compliance, remedial actions, and all other actions taken to prevent the recurrence of similar situations. The response to this correspondence will be considered in this process. Enforcement decisions will also be based on volume spilled, volume reaching surface waters, duration and gravity, impacts to public health, fish kills or recreational area closures. Other factors considered in determining the amount of the civil penalty are the violator's history of non-compliance, the cost of rectifying the damage, whether the spill was intentional and whether money was saved by non-compliance. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mitchell Hayes with the Water Quality Section in the Raleigh Regional Office at 919-791-4200 or via email at mltch.hayes@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Cc: Raleigh Regional Office - WQS File Laserfidie Moe6AioNMDAwuimtsti eramablaa.q 1 ol.iosal a.rrbeams RMpellglwrlalte 380011arentmti.1 nrn"lioeaearaezmo► "-Related Permits rcs Details Comments Details 1 r Details 2 Billing Permit QCS00179 J History rinspections r ClassJDesig_ Incidents En of rcements Violations Events Version: ,3.0 Permit Type: Collection system management and operation Permtt Classification: Program Category: Fadlity: Owner. Issued: Effective: Expire: SOC: Last Updated By: J individual Non -discharge Reg. ActMties r- Status: Affiliations bdiVe Primary Related Permit Franidin County Collection System Details... Franklin County Public Utilities Dgtalls__. 11121/2017 06f0112018 05/3112028 — Dates — Orig Issued: Statutory: Inactive: Details 08/22/2005 02/05/2018 bfmsprod_cron Admin Region: 'Raleigh County: Project Type: r❑ Major Permit ❑ Has Subsurface Drains Franklin Renewal 0 New Farm 0 Existing Farm Irac Farm #: ❑ Innovative Avail. Acres: ❑ Rainbreaker Device ❑ OIC Present Last Updated On: 8/1/2018 1:13 AM r Sf-NDCH: f:or=PLE "(HOZ; SL1CTrOP. • Complete items 1, 2, and 3. • Pant your name and °Mena cn the mverse so that we can mtum the crud to you. a Attach this card to the back of the mailpiecer or on the tront 8 spew permd 1. Mob Addreaaed toe L.hristopher Doherty, Dir. Pub. Utility Franklij County Public Utilities 1630 Hwy Young • ;le, NC 27596-9661 Franklin unty Collection System NOV-202-DV-0104 WQCS00179 SV IIIIIIIII11111I11111I1111111111111111111111111 9590 9402 3415 7227 6725 50 C. 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Utility Franklin County Public Utilities 1630 US Hwy 1 Youngsville, NC 27596-9661 Franklin County Collection System NOV-2022-DV-0104 WQCS00179 SV ..re H�y�•r,c for DWR Division of Water Resources State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Resources Collection System Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reporting Form Form CS-SSO PART I: This form shall be submitted to the appropriate DWQ Regional Office within five business days of the first knowledge of the sanitary sewer overflow (SSO). Permit Number: WQCS00179 (WQCS# if active, otherwise use WQCSD#) Facility: Franklin County Collection System Owner: Franklin County Public Utilities City: Youngsville Source of SSO (check applicable): County: Franklin Region: Raleigh 0 Sanitary Sewer ❑ Pump Station / Lift Station Incident #: 202200419 SPECIFIC location of the SSO (be consistent in description from past reports or documentation - i.e. Pump Station 6, Manhole at Westall & Bragg Street, etc): Youngsville Regional Pump Station Manhole #: Latitude (Decimal Degrees): Incident Started Dt: 03/17/2022 Time: (mm-dd-yyyy) Estimated Volume of the SSO: 13,200 Longitude (Decimal Degrees): 6:30 am Incident End Dt: 03/17/2022 Time: 12:00 pm (hh:mm AM/PM) (mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm AM/PM) gallons Estimated Duration (Round to nearest hour): 5:30 hours Describe how the volume was determined: flow and 5 gallon bucket Weather conditions during the SSO event: heavy rain Did SSO reach surface waters? [l Yes ❑ No ❑ Unknown Surface water name: Richland Creek Volume reaching surface waters (gals): 11000 Did the SSO result in a fish kill? Yes [1No ❑ Unknown If Yes, what is the estimated number of fish killed? 0 SPECIFIC cause(s) of the SSO: Severe Natural Con( 24 hour verbal notification (name of person contacted ): Colleen Cohn DWR ❑ Emergency Mgmt Date (mm-dd-yyy): 03/18/2022 Time (hh:mm AM/PM): 08:14:00 am If an SSO is ongoing, please notify the appropriate Regional Office on a daily basis until SSO can be stopped. Per G.S. 143-215.1C(b), the responsible party of a discharge of 1,000 or more of untreated wastewater to surface waters shall issue a press release within 24-hours of first knowledge to all print and electronic news media providing general coverage in the county where the discharge occurred. When 15,000 gallons or more of untreated wastewater enters surface waters, a public notice shall be published within 10 days and proof of publication shall be provided to the Division within 30 days. Refer to the reference statute for further detail. The Director, Division of Water Resources, may take enforcement action for SSOs that are required to be reported to Division unless it is demonstrated that: 1) the discharge was cause by sever natural conditions and there were no feasible alternative to the discharge; or 2) the discharge was exceptional, unintentional, temporary and caused by factors beyond the reasonable control of the Permittee and/or owner, and the discharge could not have been prevented by the exercise of reasonable control. Part II must be completed to provide a justification claim for either of the above situations. This information will be the basis WHETHER OR NOT PART Ill IS COMPLETED, A SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED AT THE END OF THIS FORM Page: 1 S-SSO Form PART II: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FOR EACH RELATED CAUSE CHECKED IN PART I OF THIS FORM AND INCLUDE THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION AS REQUIRED OR DESIRED COMPLETE ONLY THOSE SECTONS PERTAINING TO THE CAUSE OF THE SSO AS CHECKED IN PART I (In the check boxes below, NA = Not Applicable and NE = Not Evaluated) A HARDCOPY OF THIS FORM SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE DWR REGIONAL OFFICE UNLESS IS Severe Natural Condition Describe the "severe natural condition" in detail? Heavy rain from early morning on 3-17-22 that lasted until approximately 11:00 AM How much advance warning did you have and what actions were taken in preparatio for the event? none Comments: System Visitation ORC RI Yes Backup ❑ Yes Name: pavton proctor Cert# 999734 Date visited: 03/17/2022 Time visited: 06:30 AM How was the SSO remediated (i.e. Stopped and cleaned up)? once flow stopped staff cleaned debris and Timed area As a representative for the responsible party, I certify that the information contained in this report is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Person submitting claim: Christopher Doherty Date: 03/23/22 07:34 am Signature: Title: Director Public Utilites Telephone Number: any addition information desired to be submitted should be sent to the appropriate Division Regional Office within five days of t cnowledge of the SSO with reference to the incident number (the incident number is only generated when electronic entry of th orm is completed, if used). ::S-SSO Form Page: 2