NC0023736_Special Order By Consent_20150828

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory Donald R. van der Vaar
Governor Secretary
August 28, 2015
RECEIVED/DENRIDWR
CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECIEPT REQUESTED 7014 0510 00004466 8529 SEP - 3 2015
Mr. W. Lane Bailey, City Manager Water Quality
City of Lenoir Permitting Sectior
P.O. Box 958
Lenoir, North Carolina 28645-0958
Subject: Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and Environmental Management
Commission vs. City of Lenoir j
Special Order by Consent WQ S13-002
Stipulated Penalties
SP-2015-0002
NPDES Permit Number NCO023736
Gunpowder Creek WWTP
Caldwell County
Dear Mr. Bailey- !
The.City of Lenoir entered into a Special Order by Consent (SOC) WQ S13-002 with the i
North Carolina Environmental Management-Commission whereby operation of the City of Lenoir
Wastewater Treatment Plant (Gunpowder Creek WWTP) has been placed under interim effluent
limitations and an enforceable schedule while the existing WWTP is being upgraded.
Under section 3.of the Special Order by Consent, the City of Lenoir was required to
comply with interim effluent limitations as set forth in the Consent Order. The WWTP failed to
comply with the interim effluent limitations for Ammonia Nitrogen contained in "Attachment A" of
the Order for the month of May 2015.
r
After careful review of this matter, I have not found grounds for sufficient justification to
waive the stipulated penalty, therefore, and pursuant to section 3 of the Special Order by
Consent, a stipulated penalty in the amount of$1,000.00 is now due for each violation and
$159.26 in enforcement costs for a total of$3,159.26.
Payment by certified check payable to the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources must be submitted to the Department at the address given below within thirty (30)
days from receipt of this demand: i
P
Point Source Compliance/ Enforcement Unit
Division of Water Resources }
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Water Quality Regional Operations—Asheville Regional Office
2090 U.S.Highway 70,Swannanoa,North Carolina 28778
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: http://portal.nodenr.org/webtwq
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Mr. W. Lane Bailey
August 28, 2015
Page Two
You are reminded that payment of said penalties mentioned in this letter will not
foreclose further penalties for any future or continuing violations, failure to meet deadline dates,
or interim effluent violations.
If you wish to contest any portion of the civil penalty assessment, you must request an
administrative hearing. This request must be in the form of a written petition to the Office of
Administrative Hearings and must conform to Chapter 1506 of the North Carolina General
Statutes.
You must file your original petition with the:
Office of Administrative Hearings
6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-6714
Telephone [phone] Facsimile [phone]
and mail or hand'deliver a copy of the petition to:
General Counsel
Department of Environment and Natural Resources i
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601
If you have any questions concerning this notification please contact Janet j
Cantwell of this Office or me at(828) 296-4500.
t
Sincerely,
I
" S
f
G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations, NCDENR
Asheville Regional Office
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cc: WQ Asheville`Files
I
DENR General Counsel
NPDES Point Source Compliance Unit/SOC
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G,WRtWQ\CaldwelliWastewater\Municipal\Gunpowder Creek 23736\SP-2015-0002 doc
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ATTACHMENT A
City of Lenoir
CASE NUMBER: SP-2015-0002
PERMIT: NCO023736 FACILITY: Gunpowder Creek WWTP COUNTY: Caldwell REGION: Asheville
Limit Violations
MONITORING OUTFALL/ VIOLATION UNIT OF CALCULATED %OVER
PENALTY REPORT PPI LOCATION PARAMETER DATE FREQUENCY MEASURE LIMIT VALUE LIMIT VIOLATION TYPE
$1,000.00 5-2015 001 Effluent NH3-N-Conc 5/23/15 5 X week mg/I 15 21.20 41.5 Weekly Average Exceeded
$1,000.00 5-2015 001 Effluent NH3-N-Conc 5/30/15 5 X week mg/I 15 20.90 39.0 Weekly Average Exceeded
$1,000.00 5-2015 001 Effluent NH3-N-Conc 5/31/15 5 X week mg/1 10 15.80 57.8 Monthly Average Exceeded

• �v.etc.- .vnq.yn•,.,,snr��ra _ __ _��.� -
M1'•,S'�.ni:r•v .... �,tri ,�Y.&:rfe^.�i•
NPDES PERMIT NUMBER: NCO023736 ' £ 4j-]MONTH: May YEAR: 2015
FACILITY NAME: GUNPOWDER CREEK RECE f I COUNTY: CALDWELL
I Division of Wa e i.
CERTIFIED LABORATORY(1)LOWER CRE€ , P LAB CERTIFICATI N NJMBER: 71
(additional laboratories on the backside/pag is form)
OPERATOR IN RESPONSIBLE CHARGE: R' NTE L.W'*UG .j*AA6j5V C TIFICATION NUMBER: 4488
PERSON(S)COLLECTING SAMPLES: LAB RA RY STAFF ORC PHONE: (8 )757-2198
CHECK D,OR BLOCK HERE IF ] 0• OW�FL' /DISCHA GE FROM THIS SITE' [ j:
. �."' ..�,' 6/30/2015
MAIL ORIGINAL AND ONE COPY TO: :': na
ATTENTION: CENTRAL OFFICE J U L > Ig ature dfOpOFAtor in Re§•o K il3te arge�U D 015
N.C.DIVISION OF WATER RES�PURC g3•+ _.._� #sus{ " A` � �`` '7'" Y •-____.__N d ,� 01
1617 MAIL SERVICE CENTER`-ENT -E THIS REPORT IS ACCURATE AND
RALEIGH,NORTH CAROLINA ;PW431ION COMPLETE T HE ST LEDGE.
Lu 50050 00010 00400 50060 00 0530 31613 00300 00625 00600 00665
Lu
co
W hW_- o
Q � V 0 z 0LLL ~ Jui �j az W � � � W Jz z O'
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Q:O H W, Q_ LL ?.. �. z O z='UW' ' Z Q W.Q J W Q L7
> U � C0 W a 0_ O m 00 ¢ ao- a �- M.z 0C9• ¢ DO ¢.O O.�
W 4' o W 0 JLL 2 (nJ T � � I- fAIA UJQ � � }
DATE O ¢ N 00 ow H a � U � - � ai� tWiU � �
HOURS HOURS Y/N MGD °C s.u. Ng/I mg/I I mg/I mg/I #/100m1 I mg/I mg/l mg/I I mg/I-
1 1030 12 - Y0.927 -16.2 6.9 <20_ 8.0 9:38- 15 A 8.5 -
2 1030 12 N 0.860, <20 - ?_;;•.tr'
3 1030 12- 3 25 E
4 1030 12 Y 0.863 16.7 7.0 24 9.7 4.04- -9.4 < 1 9.1 }
5 1030 '12 Y 1.023 17.0 7.1 '33- 9.7 7.67' 9.5 > 6,000 6.2 " 1.83#' 2:05` - i
6 1030 12 Y 1.594' 17.9 7.0• -40 - 28' "9.04' 33 '< 1 8.5 71
7 1030 12 Y 0.811 18.0 6.8 -,- 44 20 15.60 8.3 2 8.1
8 -1030 ' '12- -Y "0.887 17.7 6.6. ' - 41:" : ' 21' - 19.80 20 24 8.3 3
9 1030 12 N 0.753 36_
10 1030.- 12 0.84 '<267
11 103Q_ 12 ;. .,Y , 0.717 18.1'- •6.3 44,.--. 6.7• 6.33 6.8 38 8.3
12 1030 12 Y 0.835 19.0 .6.7 -'25,"- 16 8.30 15 < 1 8.5
13 1030 12 Y 0.853, 18.4 6.7 <20- -38,: 11.30 120 140 7.4
14 1030 12 Y 0.814 18.8 6.8 46 44 13.10 120 120 7.6
15 1030 12 Y 0.655 18.3 6.9 44 44 21.50 34 46 8.9
16 1030 12 N 0.767 46
17 1030 12- N 0.749 42
- -
18 1030- 12 Y 0.790 20.3 -7.2 <20' 17 '19.90- 30 23 8.2 ?
-19 030, 12 Y, 0.999 20.5. 7.1 ., 44..-. 1,8 ,- 1-7.60 . 26 23 - -7.8
20 1030 12 Y 0.854 18.5 6.6 44, -19'' 20.00 27 10 8.1 =
21 1030 12 Y 0.810 19.7 7.2 28 18 29.60 23 2 7.8
22 1030 12 Y - 0.864 18.3 6.6 49 2819.00 50 11 8.0 _
23 -1030 '12 N 0.661 47 --
24 - 030 12 N 0.676 <20
25 -1030._'.__, 12 H'. 0.683 <20
26 1030 12 _ Y_= 0.757 19.8 7.2-' <20 39 ., .20.90 .' 30 21. 8.0
27 1030 12 Y 0.911 19.7 6.8 44 25 26.90 130 3 8.3 =
28 1030 12 Y 0.774 19.7 6.5 40 '32 = --17.60, 45 40 8.0
29 1030 12 Y 1.254 19.9 7.0 28 28 18.00 35 •78 7.9 33.30 33.79 5.12
30 1030 12 N, 1.163;*20.57-2
<20
31 1030 12 N 0.727 <20
MONTHLY MAXIMUM 1.594 49 44 2 0 130 > 6,000 9.1 33.30 33.79 5.12Comp.(C)/Grab(G) CONT. G C C C G G C _ C C =
MM
WEEKLY PERMIT LIMIT I(D.Max) 45,,; j 15.0 1 70 1,000 ; _
@ Averages for parameters with values below-detection limit of test(BDL)computed using BDL=O; for Fecal Coliform,G.M.,computed using,BDL=1.,-
'�*"` Any entered flags indicate that not all BOD QC criteria were met: This does not necessarily mean that the data are invalid.
Codes: 1)DW Blank depletion greater than 0.2 mg/I. 2)Seed control depletion iess than 2 mg/I or final D.O.less than 1 mg/I. 3)All sample
depletions are less than 2 mg/I. 4)All final D.O.readings less than 1 mg/I. 5)Evidence of toirkity in samples(BOD decreases with coneentraton). -
6),Glucose/glutamic acid standard outside of 167.5 to 228.5 mg/l range.
## Total Phosphorous for 5/5/15 performed by Blue Ridge Labs,P.O.Box 2940,Lenoir,NC 28645
(/N�O/T,�E�/: SOC limits were ii�naeffect on October 1, �6 Zo #NI-V
o TKN performed for ple; alue is` r NO3+NO2, rfo by Blue Ridge Labs. '
if Z - 8 z, /�Y U V z41�-I� -D�'O �lL r

-Facility Status:(Please check one of the following)
J 3
All monitoring data and"sampling frequencies meet permit requirements
(including weekly averages;if applicable)
, i
r Compliant
i
All monitoring data and sampling frequencies do NOT meet permit requirements }
Noncompliant ' 1
The permittee shall report to the,Director or the approplate Regional Office any noncompliance that potentially threatens public
health or the environment.,Any information shall be prbvidcd orally"within-24 hours from the time the permittee became aware of the
circumstances.-A written submission shall also be provided within 5 days of the time the permittee becomes aware of the '
circumstances:
If the facility is noncompliant,please attach a list of-corrective actions being taken and a time-table for improvements to be
made as r"equired by Part H.E.6 of the NPDES permit.
"I certify,under penalty of law,that this-document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance
with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted.,Based on my
Jnquiry'.of the person or persons who-managed the system,or those persons directly responsible for gathering-the information,the' -
information-submitted is;to•the best of my knowledge and belief,true,accurate,and complete.,I am aware that there are significant -
'penalties for submitting false4nformation;-including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations." a
Mr.Monte L.Wall;,Superintendent Wastewater Treatment
_ Permitte - (Please Tint or e)
­15—
Date
5—Date " -
(Required unless submitted electronically)
City of Lenoir;P.O.Box 958,Lenoir,NC 28645 (82&)751-2198 mlwall(cacHenoir.nc.us 3/31/2019 -
Permittee Address -= Phone Number e-mail address'. Permit-Expiration Date-
ADDITIONAL CERTIFIED LABORATORIES
Certified Laboratory(2) B1ue.Ridge Labs(metals,.CN)' : .Certification No. -
Certified Laboratory 3 Pace Analytical As Pb Se Certification No.- • 67
Certified-Laboratory(4) ETT-Environmental-(ChronioBioas%ays)- - : -. Certification No.: _ 'SCO0505(EPA labcode) '
Certified Laboratory(5) Environment 1,Inc.(Hg-1631) ;' : " Certification No., 243 '-. 7
PARAIVI);TER CODES
Parameter Code assistance,may,be-obtained by.calling the 1VDES Unit at(919)733-5083 or.by-visiting the Surface Water Protection q
Section's-web siteath2o.enr.state.nc.us/was and linkin 'ao tre is information pages.:'.
Use-only units of measurement designated in the reporting facility's NPDES permit for reporting data
* No Flow/Discharge 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 document visitation of facility as"required per 15ANCAC 8G.0204.
*"Signature of,Permittee:-If signed by other than the permittee,then the delegation of the'signatory authority must,be on
file with the state per 15A NCAC 2B.0506(b)(2)(D).

4
City of Lenoir
Public Utilities Department
Gunpowder Creek VWVTP
P.O. Box 958 -
Lenoir,, North Carolina 28645
August '10, 2015
G. Landon Davidson,,P.G.
Regional$upeivisor,ARCS
Water-QL!plity-'Regional'Operations, 'NC D1 N-R
2090 US',Highway 70
Swannanoa, N0,2877.8
Subject: Notice of-.,Violation ! City of Lenoir; Gunpowder Creek VWVTP, NPDES
Permit.#,NC0023736; NOV-2015-LV 051,0; -M -3
Dear Mr. Davidson:
This.lettecis in response to the Notice.of Violation letterdated August,13, 2015.
The Gunpowder Creek VWVT`P (NPDES Permit # NC00237,36) was cited for permit
violations- for-Ammonia as. Nitrogen for:the,-month of May 2015., The violations were
Ammonia"res -N; ,5/17',23!15,'21.22 mgp.,weekly .average (SOC limit, is 15.0 mg/1);
Ammonia as,N, 5/24-30/15„ 20.85 mg/l weekly ,average; Ammonia as, N, May 2015,
15.78 mg/l monthly average (SOC limit is ,1 d_0 rrig/l) The following is the response:to
these.violations (some of which is reiterated`and/or expounded upon from the May 2015
DMR °corrective action.".page):
in early.April 2015. chemical smells,were,noted in the plant influent. At.thattime, i
and.-during most,of. that',month,,this Gunpowder.-Creek WVVTP-appeared to be f
unaffected. The effluent remained,clear with BOD, Ammonia as N., and TSS in �
tha`expected normal range. During ,the last week of April, and during May 2015,
largerquantities of:pat(oleum prod;uct(s?were found to be coming. into.-the plant.
The smells were quite strong, with 'the scent,of diesel fuel most notable. There
was so much of the product in the influent-that it was being collected in the wet
well,("several inches of product on the surface). . The collection system- was
investigated, but no-obvious source could.be found.
s
Starting May 13, floating degreaser was added to the wetwell in an attempt to i
retain and dissolve the,product. The degreaser was not effective, and some of
the petroleum-product entered into the biological treatment (SBR tanks). On May
15, STAT, .Inc. was hired to pump off the product from the surface of the wetwell..
However, the product was still entering the plant. Plant personnel manually
i
dipped off the wet well to- try to keep more from entering -the. plant. Rising
ammonia levels were noted in the SBR and plant effluents,as wellas increasing i
BQD -and TSS. On May 21, we .began the process of seeding the SBR tanks
with concentrated, sludge from the City's Lower Creek VWVfP (NC0023981). All i
:i -

i 1
Q e i r F t ♦ -3
r r r y
sludge wasting was turned off, in an attempt to regrow nitrifers and other
organisms.
3 :
In early June 2015, the influent had: petroleum products coming in on an l
intermittent basis.. On ,tune 9, the. smelt Was so bad that.our staff could finally
trace it up the collection line. It was discovered that STAT, Inc. was the culprit of
the petroleum-. A large amount was found in the manhole at their discharge
point. The company's owner, Garry Sparks,, said, that their oil/water separator
from-the truck wash down area was clogged, thus causing.the discharge iifto the
collection system. The discharger would only happen when truck cleaning-was s
being done, making the collection' system investigation difficult. The company
had the oil/water separator cleaned out, and the influx of-product into the plant
ceased. The company sent a truck down to the plant again fo clean off,the
wetWell t .as weas tuff
ace the suace oe $ June } Y
f the tanks ( 9, 10, 23 ., On Jul 5, y
_ l � I
261"511 STAT was sent a Notice of Violation, Mr. Sparks responded on July 9,
stating that their cleaning:cycle of their separator would be more frequent. City 1 l
WWTP personnel are performing frequent checks on the company's discharge to
ensure that no petroleum discharges.are,occurring. t
Also on'June r9-1=0,r we r-e-seeded-the SBRs, with-sludge from the Lower Creek
WMR, ioblocks" were added,to the,wetwell to-help with arty residual surfaee
organic materials "Biopacs`' 'were added to; each SBR to aid in biological
treatment. When these,efforts were seen to-'not have an effect on the level of �
,treatment in the SBRs, we decided to do,a complete cleanout rof.existing-sludges
tri eacfi.SBR, r►vastirxg to our sludge holding tank. On June 24-25, the plant was i
rt-seeded with more sludge-from the Lower Creek WWTP.
4
The Gunpowder Creek WWTP effluent continued to have compliance. issues fo_r
the months of June 2015 and, July 2015. SBR #1 became compliant, for
amh*ia in lafe .July, but the rest of the SBRs had, high levels of ammonia .
discharged. SBR#2 and the plant effluent'became compliant for ammonia and 5
All,other parameters during the second week of August,2015. During,the period
of Hort=compliance,. wer have remained in contact with Linda Wiggs',
Environmental Senior Specialist with fete'-Ashevi(Ie Regional office, informirig� her
of altof our efforts to achieve compliance. `.
If you have any, questions, please call Monte Wall., Superintendent of Wastewater `
Treatmerit.atr 828-757-2198, or Radford Thomas at-828-757-2219.
Since-rely,
Monte Wall;'
Superintendent Wastewater Treatment
CC: Radford L.Thomas,-Director of Public Utilities, City,of Lenoir
Scott Hildebran,,Manage, City of Lenoir j
Linda Wiggs,Environmental Senior specialist,WO,Regional,Operations;ARO
r