NC0087084_NOVNOI2023LV0168_RESP_20230322

Town of Forest City
(P.O. 0o,728
Torest City, North Carolina 28043
March 17.2023
Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Operations Sections
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Dear Mr. Boss,
In response to the Notice of Violation dated March 9, 2023, 1 would like to provide a brief history of
what caused this issue. On Saturday, January 14, Befesa (formerly American Zinc Products) called and stated
they had a blockage in their collection system and when it had cleared was sent to the RSWWTP. On
Tuesday, January 17 at 12:18am RSWWTP dialer called with high level alarm. Upon arrival at the plant the
Pre EQ tank was full. Befesa was contacted to start looking for the problem which was causing the constant
flow into the plant. (Befesa has a dedicated line at RSWWTP.) 3rd shift maintenance called back and stated
they couldn't find anything that would cause the flow, however the flow continued into the next morning,
Wednesday the 18th. Upon arrival at RSWWTP the plant was at full capacity again. Jan Nedbal from Befesa
was contacted and she stated they had a blockage the previous day. She felt this was the cause of the
problem. However, the problem continued the evening of the 18th. On Thursday the 1911, FC staff met with
Befesa staff, Befesa stated in that meeting they had found a DI water filtration system that was running
constantly. That day the problem was fixed.
Throughout it all we received 25,000 gallons of wastewater. RSWWTP averages 3200 gallons of
wastewater per day. We ran process testing and RSWWTP ammonia went from 0.10mg/I to 30mg/I. We
believe the excessive flow and high ammonia is the cause of the fecal failures; due to the high ammonia
taking so much chlorine to treat for fecal. On January 24th we reseeded the plant to get back into
compliance.
I have attached a letter from Befesa about the continuing blockages and excessive wastewater being
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Thanks,
Jacob Hodge
146cl--
ORC

BEFESA
Befesa Zinc Metal, LLC.
484 Hicks Grove Rd
APON Mooresboro, NC 28114
Jan Nedbal
Environmental Manager
January 19, 2023
Tommy Wilson
Pretreatment Coordinator
Town of Forest City
PO Box 728
Forest City, NC 28043
Re: Sanitary Sewer issues response
Dear Mr. Wilson
Befesa Zinc Metal, LLC, (BZM) is submitting this letter in response to Sanitary Sewer issues over a 2-week
period. BZM is investigation the installation of a mechanism, possibly a grinder with strainer in the manhole in
relation to where BZM suspects the continual sewer disruption. BZM will maintain such mechanism as required
to prevent further disruption to the Town of Forest City's WWTP facility. We have also scheduled a complete
jetting of the sanitary system. BZM will provide sufficient notice to Forest City when this activity will occur.
00*41 In regards to excessive water being sent to Forest City, BZM suspects there is an issue with the DI Water
System. We are currently calculating water discharge from this system and will provide this volume via text as
requested by Forest City per their inspection of the unit.
BZM has also started an investigation into rerouting DI Water discharge water back into our system for usage
verses discharge via Sanitary to Forest City.
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