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Home My WebLink AboutNC0023736_Response_NOVNOI2024DV0288_20240710clrr ea 1[Ipl CITY OF LENOIR LENOIRA PUBLIC UTILITIES iJ noxrx uxwlu Public Services Department Jon Hogan SLOB Greer Circle Dr. Jeff Ch urch Public Works Director Lenoir, NC28645 Public Utilities Director Jon. hogan 00ci.lenoir.nc. us 828-757--2175 Jeff churchc0ci.lenoir.nc. us NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources Asheville Regional Office 2090 US 70 Highway Swannanoa, NC 28778-8211 DELIVERED VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL DELIVERY AND READ RECEIPTS July 10, 2024 Attention: Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor daniel.boss@ncdenr.gov Rachel Rose, Environmental Specialist I rachel.rose&deq.nc. gov Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ISSUE CIVIL PENALTY Gunpowder Creek WWTP City of Lenoir Tracking Number: NOV-2024-DV-0288 Incident Number: 2024401118 Permit Number: NCO0237636 Unauthorized Bypass Dear Mr. Boss and Staff, This letter is in response to the Notice of Violation and Intent to Issue Civil Penalty referenced above dated July 10, 2024. As of the date of this letter the conditions resulting in the violation have been remedied. As noted in the reporting of the incident a failure in the battery backup for the computer programming that operates the five SBR tanks at Gunpowder Creek WWTP failed in the early morning of July 2, 2024. The failure caused the plant to go into safe mode and opened all tanks to influent. SBR tanks 3 and 4 have less capacity than the remaining tanks. It is my understanding the failure occurred at approximately 5:30 am and was noticed by the night operator and the assistant maintenance superintendent at approximately 6:00 am. The flow was immediately diverted from SBR tank 3 into adjacent tanks. Lisa Triplett, plant superintendent and backup ORC was also immediately informed and reported to the site. Mrs. Triplett reported the incident to Rachel Rose later that morning. Lenoir �I NcedlrUnerlry 'III1' 2008 Scott Hrldehran, City Manager Lenoir Al Mrexca CllY 'III1F 2008 Upon investigation, it was determined that less than 1,000 gallons of unchlorinated decant wastewater flowed into Gunpowder Creek. As a precaution, Mrs. Triplett ordered her sample technicians to collect regular stream samples for the plant including upstream and downstream samples. Technicians, additionally, collected samples at a pond located a little further downstream. Sample results received were less than the plant effluent. Water treatment plant staff replaced the backup batteries that morning and have contacted the SCADA software company to investigate the possibility of adding an audible alarm on the monitoring program to facilitate the recognition of and repair of any unforeseen future equipment failure. Please accept this letter of explanation of the referenced NOV and rest assured remedial actions are in place and repairs have been completed. I will gladly discuss in person if needed. I can be reached at 828-757-4459. Respectfully, Jeff Church, EdD, UMC City of Lenoir Public Services Department Public Utilities Director Ec: Lisa Triplett (Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent) Donnie Hawkins (ORC)