NC0042251_NOV-2023-LV-0081_20230301

March 01, 2023
Morella Sanchez -King, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Wilmington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Subject: Notice of Violation and Intent to Assess Civil Penalty
Tracking Number: NOV-2023-LV-0081
Permit No. NCO042251
Pender High School WWTP
Pender County
Mrs. Sanchez -King,
The Pender County Board of Education and Schools appreciates the opportunity to respond to the above -mentioned penalty
assessment issued February 6, 2023; received on February 13, 2023, for the BOD Daily Maximum Exceedance violation,
and Nitrogen Ammonia Monthly Average Exceedance violation that occurred during the December 2022 monitoring period.
The first issue to attend is the BOD Daily maximum exceedance that occurred on 12/15/22 with a value of 18 which
exceeded the limit only for the 20%, and as it was explained to the inspectors that visited the plant, the low flow was
promoting the sedimentation of organic material, and when the system received an increase in the influent, the BOD increase
for the movement of the sediments, for that reason, the personnel at the facility have decided to remove all the sediments
from the EQ tank, and that activity was performed on February 27, 2023, in addition, the operation time of the aeration
pumps was modified to facilitate the decomposition process of the organic material.
Regarding the Ammonia Monthly Average Exceedance, the cause of the noncompliant average levels was the accelerated
decrease in the temperature that the system went through and impacted on the respiration of the Nitrous Ammonia. This
issue incited the increased levels obtained on December 22, with a value of 9.1 mg/L and is not characteristic of the operation
of the system, which has been functioning properly, and even in the following period the values were compliant. the
personnel at the facility have treated the system for several months to regulate the Ammonia levels through the application
of Soda Ash, to adjust the levels, but with all the maintenance that are being done at the EQ tank, the Ammonia levels
should show an optimal performance.
We want to emphasize that these events were not caused by the lack of maintenance or disattending the facility by the ORC,
and the Personnel at the facility is doing what is possible to improve and maintain the facility in compliance, so we want to
ask your consideration, evaluating the general and following values obtained. It is our request that our cooperation and
action in these matters be taken into account by the Division when proceeding with enforcement.
Sincerely,
Michael Taylor,
Auxiliary Chief Officer Services
Pender County Board of Education/Schools
CC:
Tracy Miller, Envirolink, Inc.
Anthony Stevens, Envirolink, Inc.
Daniel Sears, Envirolink, Inc.