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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQCS00179_DV-2023-0049_20230317 DIVISION 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-2023-0049 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; A total of 14,200 gallons of wastewater overflowed from the Youngsville Regional pump station due to Hurricane Ian. 10,000 gallons of wastewater flowed 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 09.30.2022 at 09:25 pm and ended the same day at 11:45 pm. 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; The effect on surface water quality include nutrients and pathogens to surface waters. 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 2 enforcement cases within the past 12 months. $) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. $95.72 Date Scott Vinson,Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources,NCDEQ �lr,',�-.i STATE M it ROY COOPER �y Governor 'I ELIZABETH S.BISER .� Secretary - RICHARD E.ROGERS.JR. NORTH CAROL-INA Direcfol Environmental Quality Certified Mail#7020 3160 0000 4109 0843 Return Receipt Requested March 17, 2023 Christopher Doherty, Director Public Utilities Franklin County Public Utilities 1630 U S Hwy 1 Youngsville, NC 27596-9661 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute(G.S.) 143-215.l(a)(1) and Collection System Permit No. WQCS00179 Franklin County Public Utilities Franklin County Collection System Case No. DV-2023-0049 Franklin County Dear Mr. Doherty: This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of$595.72 ($500.00 civil penalty - $95.72 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 Pen-nit 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), Dc l n!Erniranmmtal Q I Dlvi%ionol WaterReamlrccs RAcIgh kegiortul Office R,Te!ghNollCru1ina2'60q o...w. s.+ 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: 500.00 For 1 of the 1 violations of Collection System Permit No. WQCS00179 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(]) for Sanitary Sewer Overflow(s) resulting in a discharge without a valid permit. 500.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY 95.72 Enforcement Costs 595.72 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: (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; (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) Submit payment of the penalty, OR (2) Submit a written request for remission,OR (3) 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 14313-282.1(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 request 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 this notice. The Division of Water Resources also requests that you complete and submit the enclosed"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 Hearinp-s: 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 §15013-23.2) 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) 791-4200 or via email at mitch.hayes@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Fl?ea",t-� _Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Laserfiche JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: DV-2023-0049 County: Franklin Assessed Party: Franklin County Public Utilities Permit No.: WQCS00179 Amount Assessed: $595.72 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. 14313-282.1(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 fixture 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 ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS Franklin County Public Utilities ) Franklin County Collection System ) PERMIT NO. WQCS00179 ) CASE NO. DV-2023-0049 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling$595.72 for violation(s)as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated March 17, 2023,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-2023-0049 PERMIT NO: WQCS00179 REGION: Raleigh FACILITY: Franklin County Collection System COUNTY: Franklin Other Violations INCIDENT VIOLATION TOTAL VOLUME PENALTY NUMBER DATE VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION DESCRIPTION (GALLONS) AMOUNT 202201496 9/30/2022 CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 14,200 $500.00 . 2 @ « Go Cl) J § B $ 1 2 z z z z z z $ 8 S E 8 § \ a 2 k k k k § / E , ® n coo k j � k v k � ) 7 P \ y § - \ c 2 af � a k Q 6 k 7 & § fg ) 2 § « k dd; 1 c CL ) � / 0 j § ) \ cc E a ww \ / 0 © ] \ § wz = & C) ° ' a ' ; & ] k » 2 w OC J - - G § g O f ® c f 2 K LU x § m f m $ OD s 0 a 2 \ ƒ 2 ; a W & co \ ƒ cm \ . R o t W $ i ® E \ o / k E ) co a rl 2 � � .. c 0 � k Co � / k / » - © r 2 c u 2 ° ° E § R q o q o o E S 2 a « o 0 0 0 0 0 < F 8 k \ k k ± 6 } ¥ _ � I , Q _ _ ; $ . m / � j § 2 OD 2 a § q § a — f « 0 ) \ IL c o & k / co $ ® § § ., % 2 2 % % k © § \ \ \ § § ° 2 § ■ § > > > > > > ) te a ■ u z o 0 o c o c Public Utilitie F n kl i n 1630 US#1 Hwy ount Youngsville, NC 27596 w)R'h c"O'It" A Reseamb Triangle Region Community Phone:919.556,6177 Fax:919-556-6709 www.franklincountvnc us October 21, 2022 Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, NC 27609 RE: NOV-2022-DV-0291 Dear Mr. Vinson, Franklin County Public Utilities is in receipt of the Notice of Violation dated October 10, 2022. The NOV was received by my office on October 20, 2022. On September 30, 2022, FCPU experienced heavy rain and wind resulting from Hurricane Ian. At 9:25 pm staff observed an overflow from the second manhole upstream of the Youngsville Regional lift station. The overflow condition ended at 11:45 pm. FCPU staff called the NC Division of Water Resources on October 1st at 11:16 am to report the overflow and spoke with MaryAnn Nicolaysen. FCPU staff cleaned the area of any debris/solids and put lime down to neutralize the pH. If you require any further information, please contact my office. Regards, (92a S� Christopher Doherty Public Utilities Director Cc: Payton Proctor, Collection System Superintendent Mitch Hayes, NCDEQ Division of Water Resources "Equal Opportunity Employer" ROY COOPER EUZABETH S.BISER RRK ARD E.ROGM JR. em�tn NORTH CAROLLINA DiredwCordfkd Mail #_7020 3160 0000 4109 04b4 October 10, 2022 Christopher Doherty, Director Public Utilities Franklin County Public Utilities 1630 U S Hwy 1 Youngsville, NC 27596-9661 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION &INTENT TO ISSUE CIVIL PENALTY Tracking No.: NOV-2022-DV 0291 Sanitary Sewer Overflows - September 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 concludes 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 civil penalty for the violation(s) that are summarized below: Total Vol Total Surface Incident Start Duration Vol Water Number Date (Nina) location Cause (dials) (Gals) DWR Action 202201496 9/30/2022 140 391 SW Railroad St, Inflow and 14,200 10,000 Notice of violation- Youngsville, NC,27596 Infiltration, Severe Notice of Intent Natural Condition ►od CaroWDepmbw d6rdvra•rtwl0AW OW&WOFW*n ftwit a IlaleoM IlonrORbe 3WOOrettDrft PAdgkW thCwv&r7KM R�.79LtI00 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 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. This office requests that you respond to this Mottos, 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 mitch.hayes@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Scott Vinson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Raleigh Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDFQ Cc: Raleigh Regional Office-WQS File Laserfiche igaw �c.�.ap.u.�dEnfatroatrlo.�ry,c►wa�w�.Mwuene. aaqe.p�rare.�xwo..�oe.. �A«oru�a�ernrno, State of North Carolina DWR Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Resources Collection System Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reporting Form DlrWon of Water Resources 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 Incident#: 202201496 Owner: Franklin County Public Utilities City: Youngsville County: Franklin Region: Raleigh Source of SSO(check applicable): [1 Sanitary Sewer ❑ Pump Station/ Lift Station 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): 391 SW Railroad St, Youn sville, NC, 27596 Manhole#: Latitude (Decimal Degrees): Longitude (Decimal Degrees): Incident Started Dt: 09/30/2022 Time: 9:25 pm Incident End Dt: 09/30/2022 Time: 11:45 pm (mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm AM/PM) (mm-dd-yyyy) (hh:mm AM/PM) Estimated Volume of the SSO: 14,200 gallons Estimated Duration (Round to nearest hour): 2:20 hours Describe how the volume was determined: Gal/Min Weather conditions during the SSO event: Hurricane Ian Did SSO reach surface waters? 0 Yes ❑ No ❑ Unknown Volume reaching surface waters (gals): 10000 Surface water name: Richland Creek Did the SSO result in a fish kill? ❑ Yes MNo ❑ Unknown If Yes,what is the estimated number of fish killed? 0 SPECIFIC cause(s) of the SSO: Z Severe Natural Con( 0 Inflow and Infiltration 24 hour verbal notification (name of person contacted }: Marianne Nicholaysen ❑ DWR Q Emergency Mgmt Date (mm-dd-yyy): 10/01/2022 Time (hh:mm AM/PM): 11:16:00 am If an SSO is ongoing, please notify the appropriate Regional Office on a daily basis until SSO can be stopped. Per G.S. 143-215.1 C(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 III IS COMPLETED, A SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED AT THE END OF THIS FORM CS-SSO Form Page: 1 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? Rain from Hurricane Ian. How much advance warning did you have and what actions were taken in preparatio for the event? Projections of Hurricane direction. Comments: Inflow and Infiltration Are you under an SOC (Special Order by Consent)or do you have a schedule in any D Yes [0 No NA NE permit that addresses Ill? Explain if Yes: What corrective actions have been taken to reduce or eliminate I & I related overflow at this spill location within the last year? CCTV collection system and flow monitors. Has there been any flow studies to determine Ill problems in the collection system at D Yes W No ❑ NA [1 NE the SSO location? If Yes,when was the study completed and what actions did it recommend? Has the line been smoke tested or videoed within the past year? DYesWNo DNA NE If Yes,when and indicate what actions are necessary and the status of such actions: Are there III related projects in your Capital Improvement Plan? R Yes D No NA D NE If Yes, explain: Manhole rehab Have there been any grant or loan applications for III reduction projects? D Yes No DNA [ONE If Yes,explain: CS-SSO Form Page: 2 Do you suspect any major sources of inflow or cross connections with storm sewers; ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA W NE If Yes, explain: Have all lines contacting surface waters in the SSO location and upstream been WJ Yes ❑ No ❑ NA ❑ NE inspected recently? If Yes, explain: All aerial lines and creek crossings are inspected bi-annually and after each storm event. What other corrective actions are planned to prevent future Ill related SSOs at this location? Comments: System Visitation ORC Yes Backup ❑ Yes Name: Luther P. Proctor Cert# 1009195 Date visited: 09/30/2022 Time visited: 9:15 PM How was the SSO remediated (i.e. Stopped and cleaned up)? Once flow stopped staff cleaned and limed 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: Luther Payton Proctor Date: 10/03/22 03:40 pm Signature: Title: Telephone Number: Any addition information desired to be submitted should be sent to the appropriate Division Regional Office within five days of 1 knowledge of the SSO with reference to the incident number(the incident number is only generated when electronic entry of th form is completed, if used). CS-SSO Form Page: 3