HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0057720_PC20230035_20231101ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
CERTIFIED MAIL 7020 3160 0002 0860 6405
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
November 1, 2023
Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC
Attn: Kellen P. Buss, Owner
2310 South Miami Blvd, Suite 238
Durham, NC 27703
SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT of CIVIL PENALTIES
for Violations of NPDES Permit NCO057720
Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park Wastewater Treatment Plant
Case Number: PC-2023-0034
Stokes County
Dear Mr. Buss:
This letter transmits a notice of a civil penalty assessed against Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC in
the amount of $6,941.84 ($6,500.00 civil penalty + $441.84 in enforcement costs). This
assessment is based upon the following facts:
Division of Water Resources, Winston-Salem Regional Office (DWR/WSRO) staff conducted a
compliance evaluation inspection (CEI) of the Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park
Wastewater Treatment Plant on January 19, 2023, pursuant to the facility's NPDES discharge
permit number NC0057720. Several permit violations were noted during the inspection and a
Notice of Violation with Intent to Enforce, tracking number NOV-2023-PC-0069, was issued. A
follow up inspection was conducted on May 22, 2023. As a result, DWR issued the owner of the
facility Notice of Continuing Violation (NOV-2022-PC-0069) on July 20, 2023.
Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC
violated the terms, conditions, or requirements of NPDES Permit NCO057720 in the manner and
extent shown above. In accordance with the maximums established by G.S. 143-215.6A(a), 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 Environmental Quality and the Director of the
Moan D_,E,
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
Division of Water Resources, I hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against Jones
Estate Hidden Lakes LLC:
4 000.00 For 1 of 1 violation(s) of NPDES Permit No. NC0057720, Part 11. Section C.
Paragraph 2. by failing to properly operate and maintain at all times all
facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances)
which are installed or used by the Permittee to achieve compliance with the
conditions of this permit.
1 000.00 For 1 of 1 violation(s) of NPDES Permit No. NC0057720, Part 11. Section C.
Paragraph 7. by failing to maintain adequate safeguards (as required by 15A
NCAC 02H .0124) to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately
treated wastes during electrical power failures either by means of alternate
power sources, standby generators, or retention of inadequately treated
effluent.
1 000.00 For 1 of 1 violation(s) of NPDES Permit No. NC0057720, Part 11. Section D.
Paragraph 3. by failing to install appropriate, Director -approved flow
measurement devices which can be accurately calibrated at a minimum of
once per year and maintained to ensure that the accuracy of the
measurements is consistent with the accepted capability of that type of
device.
500.00 For 1 of 1 violation(s) of NPDES Permit No. NC0057720, Part 11. Section D.
Paragraph 6. and NC Administrative Code 15A NCAC 02B .0506(a)(1)(D)(i) by
failing to maintain required records for a period of at least 3 years from the
date of the sample, measurement, report, or application.
6 500.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY
441.84 Enforcement Costs
6,941.84 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. 14313-
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
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
(8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures.
Within thirty days of receipt of this notice, you must do one of the following:
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:
Wren Thedford
NC DEQ/DWR/Water Quality Permitting Section
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
OR
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 Water Resources will review your evidence
and inform you of his decision in the matter of your remission request. The response will provide
NORTH CAROLINAD��` ��I
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
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:
Wren Thedford
NC DEQ/DWR/Water Quality Permitting Section
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
OR
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 original and one (1) copy of the petition must be filed with
the Office of Administrative Hearings. The petition may be faxed provided the original and one
copy of the document is received in the Office of Administrative Hearings within five (5) business
days following the faxed transmission. The mailing address for the Office of Administrative
Hearings is:
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Office of Administrative Hearings
6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6714
Telephone (919) 733-2698 Facsimile: (919) 733-3478
AND
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
Mail or hand -deliver a copy of the petition to:
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 about this letter, please contact Ron Boone of the Winston-Salem
Regional Office at 336.776.9690 or via e-mail at ron.boone@deg.nc.gov.
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
4.
OD2D3CE3F1 B7456...
Jennifer F. Graznak, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Attachments:
1. Waiver of Right to an Administrative Hearing and Stipulation of Facts
2. Justification for Remission Request
3. Findings and Decision and Assessment of Civil Penalties
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF Stokes
IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT
OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST
Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC
Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park Wastewater
Treatment Plant
PERMIT NO. NCO057720
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN
ADMINSTRATIVE HEARING AND
STIPULATION OF FACTS
FILE NO. PC-2023-0034
Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $6,941.84 for violation(s) as set forth in
the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated November 1, 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 120
NORTH CAROLINAD E Q
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PRINTED NAME
SIGNATURE
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST
DWR Case Number: PC-2023-0034
Assessed Entity: Jones Estate Hidden Lakes, LLC
Permit No.: NCO057720
County: Stokes
Amount Assessed: $6,941.84
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 (i.e., 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:
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT
Violator: Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC — Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park Wastewater
Treatment Plant
County: Stokes
Case Number: PC-2023-0034
�j11Fi1:10112I t*LOW
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;
The NPDES permit directs the permittee to maintain the system to prevent a range of
problems, which could lead to harm to the natural resources of the state.
2) The duration and gravity of the violation;
The gravity of the violations is considered moderately significant because they have
persisted for nearly a year.
3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality;
The existence of the issues noted above presents risk of such violations becoming more
frequent and damaging.
4) The cost of rectifying the damage;
These costs have not been calculated specifically but are assumed to equal the amount
of money the permittee would spend to maintain permit compliance.
5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance;
The amount of money saved by noncompliance has not been specifically calculated but is
assumed to equal the amount of money the permittee would have spent to maintain
permit compliance.
6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally;
DWR has no evidence that the violations are either willful or intentional.
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
DE North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
NORTH CAROLINA 336.776.9800
onparhnem of EmironmanW 9uallly
The facility has experienced 52 effluent violations over the five years previous to this
inspection.
8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures.
$441.84
The assessment factors listed above were considered. However, since this case pertains
to the non -submittal of required information, impacts are unknown.
D°occuSSiigneedd by:
11/1/2023
OD2D3CE3F167456...
Date Jennifer F. Graznak, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NC DEQ
REQ� North Carolina Department ofEnvironmental Quality I Division ofWater Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
NORTH CAROLINA 336.776.9800
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF STOKES
IN THE MATTER OF
CASE NO. PC-2023-0034
Jones Estate Hidden Lakes, LLC
Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park
Wastewater Treatment Plant
FOR VIOLATIONS OF:
NPDES PERMIT NO. NCO057720
AND NC General Statute 143-215.1
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FINDINGS AND DECISION
AND ASSESSMENT OF
CIVIL PENALTIES
Acting pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.6A, I, Jennifer F. Graznak, of the
Division of Water Resources (hereby known as DWR), make the following:
FINDING OF FACT
A. Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC is a person organized and existing under the laws
of the State of North Carolina.
B. On September 1, 2022, Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC was issued NPDES Permit
Number NCO057720 effective October 1, 2022, for the operation and
maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant located at the Hidden Lakes Village
Mobile Home Park Wastewater Treatment Plant, with the discharge of treated
effluent into an unnamed tributary to Timmons Creek, which is classified as Class
C waters, in the Roanoke River Basin, in accordance with the provisions of Article
21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of North Carolina.
C. Timmons Creek is classified as Class C waters in the Roanoke River Basin.
D. On February 15, 2023, the Winston-Salem Regional Office of DWR issued a Notice
of Violation/Notice of Intent to Enforce NOV-2023-PC-0069 to Jones Estate Hidden
Lakes, LLC. This NOV-NOI was issued in response to a compliance evaluation
inspection the RO conducted on January 19, 2023.
E. The violations DWR noted during this inspection are detailed in the table below:
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
PERMIT VIOLATIONS
1. There is currently no bar screen installed or operational in the treatment
system. Multiple system components (including diffusers, blowers,
chlorinator, and de -chlorinator) are either not present or insufficient. There
is an uncontained leak in the pipe going from the post -chlorination tank to
the meter well.
2. There are no adequate safeguards (including standby power) to prevent
the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes during electrical
power failures for the facility.
3. Records for the flow meter were not available on -site during the inspection.
All records, including those pertaining to installation, calibration, and
maintenance, should be retained and readily available on -site.
4. Data records prior to July 2022 were not available at the time of inspection.
F. NPDES PERMIT NO. NCO057720 contains the following relevant permit conditions:
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part II. Section C. Paragraph
2.
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part II. Section C. Paragraph
7.
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part II. Section D. Paragraph
3.
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part II. Section D. Paragraph
6.
G. A DWR file review confirmed that Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC is not allowed as
a condition of any permit, special order, or other appropriate instrument issued
or entered into by the Commission under the provisions of this Article to violate
water quality standards applicable to an assigned classification or to violate any
effluent standards, limitations, permit conditions, or rules/regulations established
for any point source.
H. DWR never received a letter from Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC in response to
the Notice of Violation -Notice of Intent to Enforce NOV-2023-PC-0069.
A follow up inspection was conducted on May 22, 2023, to determine whether
any of the above violations identified in the January 2023 inspection had been
corrected. The follow up inspection revealed that all four violations noted in the
January 2023 inspection persisted in the May 2023 inspection. Moreover, the May
2023 inspection revealed an additional violation.
J. Therefore, the violations noted in the May 2023 inspection are detailed in the
table below:
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
ICI
PERMIT
VIOLATIONS
1.
Corrosion and disrepair of treatment units as detailed below:
a. The aeration basin has severe corrosion.
b. The air header and laterals are in very poor condition and were observed
to provide insufficient air diffusion throughout the tank.
c. The clarifiers have severe corrosion. The inlet/scum box on the southern
clarifier is so overgrown with weeds that have taken root in the scum layer
that you cannot see the box. The northern clarifier's inlet/scum box is
visible but only about 50 percent of the original structure remains due to
corrosion, allowing the scum to flow right back into the clarifier.
d. The sludge holding tank has two large open holes in it just above the
level of the current inlet pipe. Sludge could flow out onto the ground, and
possibly to the stream, if it reaches the level of these holes.
2.
There are still no adequate safeguards (including standby power) to
prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes during
electrical power failures for the facility.
3.
The flow meter was installed in early 2022. The meter has been installed
for longer than a year and still has not been calibrated. The operator stated
that they cannot find someone to calibrate it.
4.
Data records prior to July 2022 were still not available at the time of
inspection.
5.
The bar screen, chlorinator, and dechlorinator are all still missing from the
plant. Removal of these processes, without adequate equivalent
replacements, capable of providing comparable treatment, was not
authorized by the NCDWR. The operator uses a single tube each for
chlorination and dechlorination that is only leaning against the wall of the
component it has been placed in, with minimal flow contact. Also, the
operator uses a cloth and rope type of contraption as a makeshift bar
screen.
NPDES PERMIT NO. NCO057720 contains the following relevant permit conditions:
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part II. Section C. Paragraph
2.
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part II. Section C. Paragraph
7.
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part II. Section D. Paragraph
3.
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part II. Section D. Paragraphs
6.
• NPDES Permit NCO057720
Part III. Section A. ParaRraahs
a.
L. A DWR file review again confirmed that Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC is not
allowed as a condition of any permit, special order, or other appropriate
instrument issued or entered into by the Commission under the provisions of this
Article to violate water quality standards applicable to an assigned classification
or to violate any effluent standards, limitations, permit conditions, or
rules/regulations established for any point source.
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1 Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
M. DWR/WSRO never received a written response from the permittee and no further
communication has been received from the permittee.
N. The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures in this matter totaled
$441.84.
Based upon the above Findings of Fact, I make the following:
A. Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC is a 'person' within the meaning of G.S. 143-215.6A
pursuant to G.S. 143-212 (4).
B. Timmons Creek, located at the site, constitutes waters of the State within the
meaning of G.S. 143-212 (6).
C. Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC was issued NPDES Permit No. NCOO5772O in
accordance with G.S. 143-215.1(a) for the operation and maintenance of a
wastewater treatment plant and the discharge of wastewater in compliance with
permit limits and conditions.
D. On May 22, 2023, Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC violated NPDES Permit
NCOO5772O;
• Part II, Section C. Paragraph 2. by failing to properly operate and maintain at
all times all facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related
appurtenances) which are installed or used by the Permittee to achieve
compliance with the conditions of this permit;
• Part II. Section C. Paragraph 7. by failing to maintain adequate safeguards (as
required by 15A NCAC O2H .0124) to prevent the discharge of untreated or
inadequately treated wastes during electrical power failures either by means
of alternate power sources, standby generators, or retention of inadequately
treated effluent;
• Part II. Section D. Paragraph 3. by failing to install appropriate, Director -
approved flow measurement devices which can be accurately calibrated at a
minimum of once per year and maintained to ensure that the accuracy of the
measurements is consistent with the accepted capability of that type of
device;
• Part II. Section D. Paragraph 6. & NC Administrative Code 15A NCAC O2B
.O5O6(a)(1)(D)(i) by failing to maintain required records for a period of at least
3 years from the date of the sample, measurement, report, or application;
and,
NORTH CAROLINAD � ��
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
• Part III. Section A. Paragraph a. & NC General Statute 143-215.1(a)(3) by
failing to obtain proper authorization to construct permits from the Division
prior to changing the plant's treatment processes.
E. Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC may be assessed civil penalties in this matter
pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A (a)(2), which provides that a civil penalty of not more
than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per violation per day may be assessed
against a person who is required but fails to apply for orto secure a permit required
by G.S. 143-215.1, or who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms,
conditions, or requirements of such permit or any other permit or certification
issued pursuant to authority conferred by this Part.
F. The State's enforcement cost in this matter may be assessed against Jones Estate
Hidden Lakes LLC pursuant to G.S. 143-215.3 (a)(9) and G.S. 143B-282.1(b)(8).
G. Jennifer F. Graznak, of the Division of Water Resources, pursuant to delegation
provided by the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality and the
Director of the Division of Water Resources, has the authority to assess civil
penalties in this matter.
Based upon the above Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, I make the following:
III��]�y[.9[�I►1
Accordingly, Jones Estate Hidden Lakes LLC is hereby assessed a civil penalty of:
4 000.00 For 1 of 1 violation(s) of NPDES Permit No. NCO057720, Part II. Section C.
Paragraph 2. by failing to properly operate and maintain at all times all
facilities and systems of treatment and control (and related appurtenances)
which are installed or used by the Permittee to achieve compliance with the
conditions of this permit.
1 000.00 For 1 of 1 violation(s) of NPDES Permit No. NCO057720, Part II. Section C.
Paragraph 7. by failing to maintain adequate safeguards (as required by 15A
NCAC O2H .0124) to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately
treated wastes during electrical power failures either by means of alternate
power sources, standby generators, or retention of inadequately treated
effluent.
1 000.00 For 1 of 1 violation(s) of NPDES Permit No. NCOO5772O, Part II. Section D.
Paragraph 3. by failing to install appropriate, Director -approved flow
measurement devices which can be accurately calibrated at a minimum of
once per year and maintained to ensure that the accuracy of the
measurements is consistent with the accepted capability of that type of
device
NORTH CARCLINAD ��R
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1 Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800
500.00 For 1 of 1 violation(s) of NPDES Permit No. NC0057720, Part II. Section D.
Paragraph 6. and NC Administrative Code 15A NCAC 02B .0506(a)(1)(D)(i) by
failing to maintain required records for a period of at least 3 years from the
date of the sample, measurement, report, or application.
6 500.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY
441.84 Enforcement Costs
6,941.84 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE
As required by G.S. 143-215.6A (c), in determining the amount of 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 violations;
(2) The duration and gravity of the violations;
(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 violations were 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.
DocuSigned by:
11/1/2023 (�o����,�, "-,
oozoscESF1B7456_.
Date Jennifer F. Graznak
Division of Water Resources
NORTH CAROLINAD � ��
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800