NC0026042_Response to NOV-2023-LV-0169_20230517

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ROBERSONVILLE
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March 17, 2023
Mr. Robert Tankard, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Subject: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty
Tracking Number: NOV-2023-LV-0169
Permit No. NC0026042
Robersonville WWTP
Martin County
Mr. Tankard,
The Town of Robersonville appreciates the opportunity to respond to the above -mentioned Notice of
Violation. The Town of Robersonville does not dispute the BOD Monthly Average Exceedance that
occurred on the January 2023 period; however, the Town has taken immediate corrective measures to
resolve the issues and bring to the system into compliance.
The Monthly Exceedance on the BOD with a value of 6.44mg/L is equivalent to 28% above the
established limit and this resulted for external circumstances that could not be controlled by the ORC
and the staff personnel at the facility, however all the possible efforts were performed to maintain the
system in compliance, the series of incidents that occurred are described below:
1. 01/04/2023 Robersonville plant lost power 2:30-3:30 p.m. and went on generator due to heavy
winds and rain in the amount of 0.5 inches,
a. Corrective Action: Performed plant check to reset tripped Aerators and check clarifier
functions.
2. 01/09/2023 Arriving at the plant the Sediment Basin Aerator was off due to power flicker.
a. Turned the aerator back on at the aeration basins in the building.
3. 01/10/2023 Effluent flow chart indicated increased flow around 8:45 p.m. 0.270 MGD, 1/9/23
to 4:30 a.m. 0.513 MGD, 1/10/23.

a. Corrective Actions: Richard Sink the Public Works Director made a visit to Flagstone
and noticed them discharging milky wastewater and had them close the valves.
b. Wasted from the Clarifiers to remove sludge and milky wastewater in our process.
4. 01/11/2023 influent and grit chamber presented a very "milky" tint.
a. Envirolink staff notified Robersonville Richard Sink for further discussions with
Flagstone.
5. O1/13/2023 the return pump # 1 lost prime. Rainfall of 0.1 inches occurred overnight.
a. Corrective Actions: Opened clarifier returns to remove some blanket from the
Clarifiers and Clarifiers 1-4 were 2 foot or below on sludge judge.
6. O1/19/2023 Wasted solids from plant.
7. 01/20/2023 Flow charts showed increased flows from 5:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
8. 01/23/2023 Robersonville plant experienced a power outage (went on generators) and the
main 800 breaker was tripped for Clarifier and back end of the plant operations. Belts on
Return pump 1 and pump 2 broke and the return pumps weren't operating, except 43.
a. Corrective Actions: Replaced return pump belts on # 1 & 42 and align the belts for
normal operations.
9. 01/24 /2023 the influent pump #1 tripped and was diagnosed. Had elevated flows of .621
MGD for the day.
a. Pearson Pumps was contacted by town personnel to pull the pump and will be
replaced. This is a triplex station with pump # 2 and pump #3 still in operations.
10. 01/25/2023 Return pump #1 lost prime and we wasted to the digestor.
11. 01/26/2023 Clarifier # 5 back online for increased detention time due to increased flows of
1.33 MGD on 1/26/2023 and 1.15 MGD on 1/27/23.
We understand the reasons for the Notice of Violation but respectfully request that the Division
consider no further action. As noted, the Town has expended significant effort and funds to resolve
the issues at the WWTP and this civil penalty further strains our financial resources, and we hope the
Division will take this into consideration.
Thank you for your consideration of this Notice of Violation response. Please feel free to contact either
Daniel Sears at 252-235-4900 or myself at 252-508-0320 with questions or additional details.
Sincerely,
A A—�
Chris Roberson
Town Manager
cc: Tracy Miller, Envirolink, Inc.
William Lamm, Envirolink, Inc.
Mr. Robbie Bullock, NCDEQ