NC0077615_NOV-2022-DV-0204_20220725

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
July 25, 2022
CERTIFIED MAIL # 7018 3090 0001 2322 8628
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED:
Brian Foor, Plant Manager
Origin Food Group, LLC.
306 Stamey Farm Road
Statesville, NC 28677
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation
Unpermitted Discharges of Coconut Oil
Violations of G.S. 143-215.1(a)
Origin Food Group, LLC.
Iredell County
Tracking No. NOV-2022-DV-0204
Dear Mr. Foor:
Chapter 143, Article 21 of the North Carolina General Statutes (G.S.) authorizes and directs the
Environmental Management Commission of the Department of Environmental Quality to protect and
preserve the water resources of the State. The Division of Water Resources (DWR) has the delegated
authority to enforce adopted water pollution control rules and regulations.
On July 21, 2022, this Office received a complaint (including photographs) regarding a white milky
substance that had been previously discharged (apparently on multiple occasions) onto the asphalt
driveway and into the stormwater drainage system at the Origin Food Group, LLC. (hereinafter OFG)
business site located at 306 Stamey Farm Road, Statesville, Iredell County. DWR staff performed a site
inspection the same day and observed stained asphalt and grass/soil along the asphalt driveway towards
the stormwater drainage system. OFG staff confirmed that the spill of coconut oil did occur and the
asphalt was power washed during the initial cleanup activities. The wastewater generated during the
cleanup activities was not properly collected and disposed.
As a result of the unpermitted discharges of coconut oil onto the ground and waters of the State,
OFG violated North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1(a)/Control of Sources of Pollution —
Permits Required. Please be advised that G.S. 143-215.6A provides for a civil penalty of not more than
twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), or twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per day when
the violation is of a continuing nature, against any person who is required but fails to apply for or to
secure a permit required by G.S. 143-215.1(a). Penalties may also be assessed for any damage to
surface waters of the State that may result from the violation.
NORTH CAROLINADEQ
N
oep.m.m orEMr nment oN.i�
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1601 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, NC 28115
704.663.1699

To comply with the regulations, all impacted areas including asphalt driveway, ground/grass
surfaces and any off -site conveyances (ditches, streams, etc.) must be properly remediated and restored
as close as possible to the conditions prior to the discharges. In addition, the facility must improve the
housekeeping and drum storage practices (leakages were observed) to prevent future impacts to the
stormwater runoff and waters of the State. Note: The application (Notice of Intent) for an Industrial
Stormwater Permit was previously emailed to you and must be completed and submitted to the address
listed on the form as soon as possible.
It is requested that a written response be submitted to this Office by August 16, 2022, addressing all
cleanup activities and the actions taken to prevent any future discharges from recurring. In responding,
please address your comments to the attention of Mr. Wes Bell.
Should you have any questions concerning this Notice, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at
[phone] or at [e-mail].
Cc: DWR Laserfiche
D_E
NORTH CAROLINA
gaparMeM of Environment,/quay
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
R4•4.u4 / EI Nue
F161 FB69A2D84A3...
Andrew H Pitner, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Mooresville Regional Office 1601 East Center Avenue, Suite 301 I Mooresville, NC 28115
704.663.1699