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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0041696_LV20150086_20150608"A 0 MUM, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Pat McCrory Governor Certified Mail # 7014 0510 0000 4466 5948 Return Receipt Requested June 08, 2015 Jeffery V Morse Town of Valdese PO Box 339 Valdese, NC 28690 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of North Carolina General Statute-(G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No. NCO041696 Town of Valdese Lake Rhodiss WWTP Case No. LV -2015-0086 Burke County Dear Permittee: Donald R. van der Vaart Secretary RECEIVEDIDENROWR JUN 16 2015 Water Quality Permitting Section This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $659.26 ($500.00 civil penalty + $159.26 enforcement costs) against Town of Valdese. This assessment is based upon the following facts: -a review has been conducted of the discharge monitoring report (DMR) submitted by Town of Valdese for the month of January 2015. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in NPDES Permit No. NC0041696. The violations, which occurred in January 2015, are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Town of Valdese violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES Permit No. NCO041696 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(6) 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). Based upon the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, and in accordance with authority provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, I, G. Landon Davidson, Regional Supervisor, Asheville Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Town of Valdese: 2090 U S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 Phone 828-296-4500 \ tnternet• www ncdenr gov <http //vvww.ncdetn gov> An Equal Opportunity \ Aflirntndve Action Employer- Made in part by recycled paper 500.00 1 of the 1 violations of 143-215.1(a)(6) and NPDES Permit No.NC0041696, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Weekly Average for TSS - Conc. 500.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY 159.26 Enforcement Costs 659.26 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 Environment and Natural Resources (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. NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 2 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 143B -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 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: _ NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit Division of Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Option 3: File a petition for an administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings: 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 §1508-23.2) 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: Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6714 Tel: (919) 733=2698 Fax: (919) 733-3478 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DENR as follows: Mr. Sam M. Hayes, General Counsel Department of Environment and Natural Resources 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. 4 If you have any questions, please contact Janet Cantwell with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Asheville Regional Office at (828) 296-4667 or via email at janet.cantwell@ncdenr.gov. Since for S Director, Division of Water Resources, NCDENR By G. Landon Davidson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDENR ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Asheville Regional Office - Enforcement File (w/attachments) NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File (w/attachments) Central Files, Water Quality Section (w/attachments) 61 Iz- JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: LV -2015-0086 County: Burke Assessed Party: Town of Valdese Permit No.: NC0041696 Amount Assessed: $659.26 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. 143B -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 (Le., explain the steps that you took to correct the violation and prevent future 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 ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES COUNTY OF BURKE IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS Town of Valdese ) Lake Rhodiss WWTP 1 PERMIT NO. NCO041696 ) CASE NO. LV -2015-0086 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $659.26 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated June 08, 2015, 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 720 ADDRESS TELEPHONE SIGNATURE C ATTACHMENT A Town of Valdese CASE NUMBER: LV -2015-0086 PERMIT: NCO041696 FACILITY: Lake Rhodiss WWTP COUNTY: Burke REGION: Asheville Limit Violations MONITORING OUTFALL I VIOLATION UNIT OF CALCULATED % OVER PENALTY REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE LIMIT VIOLATION TYPE $500.00 1-2015 001 9 Effluent TSS - Conc 1/10/15 5 X week a mg/l 45 61.00 35.6 Weekly Average Exceeded DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT (FILE) Violator: Town of Valdese/ NCO041696 (January 2015 DMR) County: Burke Case Number: LV -2015-0086 8 ASSESSMENT FACTORS As required by G.S. 143-214.6A(c), in determining the amount of the penalty I considered the factors set out in 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; All effluent violations may be detrimental to the receiving stream but may not be immediately quantified. 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; One Weekly Average TSS, exceeded the permit limit by 35.6 %. 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality All effluent violations may be detrimental to the receiving stream but may not be immediately quantified. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; The cost is unknown. 5) • The amount of money saved by noncompliance; The amount of money saved would include the cost of excess solids removal. 6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally; It does not appear to be either. 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 There have been no civil penalty enforcements in the twelve months prior to this violation. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. $159.26. g /5 Y� ate G. La or 06/08/2015 r idson, Regi6nal Supervisor Regional Operations Section mal Office, NCDENR ao D� m m O M co (D LO O n O N M M M m N y y _ U co — C- 1l W W N - G m m O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O x CL a z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 us 0 vs 0 to 0 us 0 urs 0 av 0 u4 0 O 0 0 0 6% 0 u9 0 u4 0 urs 0 w 0 19 0 w N tm1 W G A 10 0 O CD 0 co (D (D co O O 0 O a v v V st O 0 v O O O O o ('M O •- Di O 0 Di C� O (N M Di N W Di N M O O O O O O O 0 Of N N O O Ir -_A to- a 61), d, v, vi w is O (D C)Den 0» O w 64 - vs vs M w M yr w m E Q m c 0 N C 0 E E O c 0 - � c i m E G c w m m W x S d C o 3 G O O y Q O O O O CA 603, .Q W N M M yr N w eo N (D N (D o v � d d $ m � rc z rc m � m W E w, o • Y m a m 7 m` 0 (D 7 (D V (D Q (D V. 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Q Q N cc 'O m O f0 Cl) O M O <n O _ N N y O O O O O N - N N N N N N N Y L N r N r MCC) fl. r o U y F- J Z Q V O) (D O) co Cl) st I— OD N (p (D U7 m N N V V M fA 01 O O h O Cl) O O O N O O a O N O M O Cl) O MO O O N O N O N O N0 O O r coa) O O m Cl) 0 Ui D - o a O rn O rn O o N O o N O O N O o N O o N O O N O o N O 0 N O N 0 N 0 N 0 N 0 N 0 N •V € m y E T D '- U i i i V2 LL d U 2 J PC -2014-0001 1/6/14 $1,250.00 $137.00 6/8/2015 2 $1,387.00 $0.00 No 2/5114 LV -2014-0041 12-2013 4/24/14 $2,000.00 $147.50 5/15114 6/3/14 $1500 $647.50 $0.00 No 7/2/14 LV -2008-0247 1-2008 $1,550.00 $145.00 $1,69500 No Total Cases: 19 Total Penalty Amount: $25,050 Total Enforcement Cost: $2104.28 Sum Of Total Paid: $19,859.28 Total Balance Due. $2,295.00 Sum of Total Case Penalties. $27,154.28 Total Penalties After Remissions: $22,154.28 EFFLUENT r t NPDES PERMIT NO.: NCO041696 DISCHARGE NO.: 103 MONTH JANUARY YEAR: 2015 FACILITY NAME: LAKE RHODHISS WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CLASS: IV COUNTY: BURKE OPERATOR IN RESPONSIBLE CHARGE (ORC): GREG PADGETT GRADE: IV PHONE: CERTIFIED LABORATORIES W W T P #230 MERITECH #165 BLUE RIDGE LABS # 275 CHECK 80X IF ORC HAS CHANa prY' e., ER, .N(S) COLLECTING SAMPLES: CHRIS BORTNICK & NORMAN COOK Mail ORIGINAL and ONE COPY to: FEB 2 015 ATTN: CENTRAL FILES x \�✓/ ,.� DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY c (SIGNATURE OF 0 BATOR IN RESPON IBL ARGE) FY THAT T�WREPCRT IS J a / BY THIS N,DMAILSERVICE CENTER GEI j ' RAI, FILES ACCURATE AND COMPLETECERTIOTHE BEST OFMYYKNOWLEp7���, RALEIGH, NC 27699.1617 DY' R SE MON"'MR 05 201g 828-879-2131 DATE m - *u u uu41u uublu 00530 39616 00300 00600 00665 32730 TGP38 c E ` FLOW EFF W =) (j) -j U1 QW JO W Jai W Z J W O ? a� o « H INF ❑ a? �y = �� 0 O U Qo OO ZC7 O 7 QZp ~ W- a0 ` U W.. >W JO O QO I --O J� a0 F -x j -/ O Z F U o aN CL O C �� W -I �U Q W= CO C4 �� 00)W LLoE NX O� F- z Q O p9 V QZ �� (1 W 7O Z z CL a a HRS HRS YINI MGD ° C S.U. I </> UGIL </ MG/L <P MGIL MGIL q A/1100ML MG/L MGIL MGIL 1 800 5 H 1.402 2 600 16 Y 1.321 15 7.0 21 2.54 5.00 6 9,0 ;a/FP 3 800 4 1.255 4 800 5 600 16 Y 2.526 13 677 < 20 i 33.7 268 20 8.8 6 000 16 Y 1.958 13 6.9 32 1 18.5 16.3 1 8.7 7 600 16 Y 2.139 14 6.9 41 1 3.03 7.00 24 89 8 600 16 Y 1.912 12 7.1 23 3.31 < 0.50 1 8.60 6 9.4 S44 0.55 9 600 1.6 Yj 1.717 12 7WT 26 3.02. 5.20 16 9A 0 800 4 1.365 600 16 Y 1.587 10 6.9 22 1 4.26 7.40 3 101 n, 3 600 16 Y 1.998 12 7.0 < 20 1 12.0 8.00 6 9.3 4 600 16 Y T 114 15 6.9 31 1 2.59 < 0.50 < 5.00 -6----0-.5 7.34 0.53 5 600 16 Y 1.960 15 7.0 25 <1 2.00 1 < 5.00 1 89 6 600 16 Y 1.185 15 7.0 23 < 2.00 < 5.00 1 8.8 7 800 4 0.818 9 800 5 H 1.686 _..... _._ .._. 0 600 16 1 Y 1 1.788 12 7.0 < 20 3.82 8.40 17 9.2 PASS 1 600 1 16 Y 1.726 13 71 24 4.05 5.80 2 8,6 2 600 1 16 Y 1.611 15 7,0 34 2.63 6.40 1 8.7 PASS 3 600 16 Y 1.697 16 71 < 20 2.96 < 0.50 < 5.00 I1 8.6 8.27 1.29 4 800 4 1.273 5 800 5 600 16 Y 1.660 12 7.1 28 < 2.00 < 0.50 < 5.00 3 9.5 9.46 1.09 7 600 16 Y 1.554 12 71 20 2.56 5.20 3 4.2 3 600 16 Y 1.899 13 7.0 24 2.34 < 5.00 < 1 8.9 1 600 16 Y 1.925 14 7.2 32 < 2.00 < 5.00 2 9.0 600 16 Y 1.351 15 6.8 < 20 2.06 < 5.00 10 8.8 I AVERAGE 1.599 1 21 5.44 < 0.50 18.5 4 9.1 7.75 0.87 #i#W ASS N1AXD" 3.37 16 7.2 41 33.7 < 0.50 268 24 10.1 10. 1.29 0.000 PASS NDNDIU-M 0.683 10 6.7 < 20 < 2.00 < 0.50 < 5.00 < 1 8.6 5.44 0.53 4.000 PASS mp. (C) I Grab (G) j (G) (G) (G)C) (C) (C) (G) (G) (C} O (G,) Monthly Limit 1.6 to 9 30.01 30.0 200 Test Blank Out of QC. (H) Denotes Observed Holidays: 1/1 New Year's Day & 1/19 Martin Luther King, Jr. LL REPORTED DATA ASSOCIATED WITH FLAGGED CONDITIONS ARE VALID NUMBERS. - WEEKLY TSS VIOLATION: 115 THROUGH 119. DWQ � fC� 0 `tvxe Lv- 0 a 5- �.d- ;5016--oa8� s Facility Status: (Please check one of the following) All monitoring data and sampling frequencies meet permit requirements (including weekly averages, if applicable) Compliant All monitoring data and sampling frequencies do NOT meet permit requirements - • Noncompliant T' a ermittee shall report to the Director or the, appropriate Regional Office anynoncompliance thatpotentially . P � _ aPP oP- - ld P threatens public health or the environment: Any information shall be provided orally within 24 hours from the time the permittee became aware of, the circumstances: A written submission shall also be providedwithin 5 days of the time the permittee.becomes aware of the circumstances. Tm If the facility &non6tapliant, please attach a., list of corrective -actions being taken and a time table for improvements to be.made as required by Part ILE.6 of.the NPDES permit. -i cerary, unuer penalty of law, teat tnrs aocument and au ,aitactiments=were preparea unser my (irection or ; supervision in accordance' with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the ' -;information submitted. Based on:my inquiry of the person or persons who managed the system, or those persons i _ a', :directl ie ' onsible for atherin the informatio the information;submitted is to the best of knowledge and Y sP g g n, mY g 5 . belief, ti ue, accurate, and complete.: I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information, ' :. _ •: includiixg the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowip violations.°' - .. Perini e r type) of P *** Date _ unless submitted electronically). s a _Town -of Valdese _ r.:::: - :------ •-PO;Box 339;Valdese, NC 28690 828-879=2117 - :.' jmorse�ci.valdese.nc.us ;Febrtiaiy:28;;2015 Pemuttee Address' Phone Niunber ' e-mail address Permit E cation Date i i . _..'..•.- . ._. - , r ADDITIONAL CERTIFIED LABORATORIES - Certified Laboratory (2) : - . Certification No: Certified Laboratory. (3) Certification No. Certified: Laboratory -(4) Certification No. _Certified,Labo'ratory (5) Certification No. , .PARAMETER CODES - Parameter -Code assistance may be obtained by. calling the NPDES Unit at (919) 733-5083 or by_visiting the'Surface " ::Water'Protection Section's web site at*h2d.'b& state:nc:usJwas-and linking to the unit's information pages. -Use only unit§ of measurement designated in thereporting facility's NPDES permit for reporting data No FlowANscharge From Site:. Check, this,box if no discharge occurs and, -as a•result, there are no data to be entered for all of the parameters on the DMR for the entire monitoring period. ORC On Site?: ORC must visit facility and doeument'visitation of facility as required per 15A NCAC 8G.0204. Signature of Permittee: If signed by.btlier_ than the permittee, then the delegation of tho�gignatory authority must be V : : file,with•ihe state per '15A NCA, C 2B :05(i6(h�(2)(D)• Page 2