WQ0003299_Civil Penalty Assessment_20240424

I. . 'osta ervuce
CERTIFIED MAIL° RECEIPT
7 Domestic Mail Only
3
- For delivery information,visit our website at www.usps.com°'.
1
., T� ter;, ,-.::$ s..:,
Certified Mail Fee -1
- Extra Services&Fees(check box, fee as appropriate) `).I
❑Return Receipt(hardcopy) $ t
❑Return Receipt(electronic) $ �jp_y A
3 0 Certified Mall Restricted Delivery $ /..
Adult Signature Required $
❑Adult Signature Restricted Delivery$ C,
3 Postage
9 $
- TotalP CITY OF NEWTON
$ PO BOX 550
j SentTc NEWTON NC 28658
j Street. ATTN:SEAN HOVIS,CITY MANAGER
- dwr/jh 4/24/24
City,S.

I A receipt(this portion of the Certified Mail label). for an electronic return receipt,see a retail
I A unique identifier for your mailpiece. associate for assistance.To receive a duplicate
I Electronic verification of delivery or attempted return receipt for no additional fee,present this
delivery. USPS®-postmarked Certified Mail receipt to thi
A record of delivery(including the recipient's retail associate.
signature)that is retained by the Postal Service'" -Restricted delivery service,which provides
for a specified period. delivery to the addressee specified by name,or
to the addressee's authorized agent.
mportant Reminders: -Adult signature service,which requires the
You may purchase Certified Mail service with signee to be at least 21 years of age(not
First-Class Mail°°,First-Class Package Service°, available at retail).
or Priority Mail°service. -Adult signature restricted delivery service,whic
I Certified Mail service is notavailable for requires the signee to be at least 21 years of ac
international mail. and provides delivery to the addressee specifiei
Insurance coverage is not available for purchase by name,or to the addressee's authorized agen
with Certified Mail service.However,the purchase (not available at retail).
of Certified Mail service does not change the •To ensure that your Certified Mail receipt is
insurance coverage automatically included with accepted as legal proof of mailing,it should bear.
certain Priority Mail items. USPS postmark.If you would like a postmark on
For an additional fee,and with a proper this Certified Mail receipt,please present your
endorsement on the mailpiece,you may request Certified Mail item at a Post Office'"for
the following services: postmarking.If you don't need a postmark on this
-Return receipt service,which provides a record Certified Mail receipt,detach the barcoded portior
of delivery(including the recipient's signature). of this label,affix it to the mailpiece,apply
You can request a hardcopy return receipt or an appropriate postage,and deposit the mailpiece.
electronic version.Fora hardcopy return receipt,
complete PS Form 3811,Domestic Return
Receipt;attach PS Form 3811 to your mailpiece; IMPORTANT:Save this receipt for your records.
'S Form 3800,April 2015(Reverse)PSN 7530-02-000-9047

•ENDER: COMPLETE THIS SECTION COMPLETE THIS SECTION ON DELIVERY
■ Complete items 1,2,and 3. A. Signature
■ Print your name and address on the reverse X / /4/ ❑Address Agent
so that we can return the card to you.
■ Attach this card to the back of the mailpiece, Or by -rinte. . C. Dat,-.2 Deliver)
or on the front if space permits. ( '
D. Is delivery address different from item 1? ❑Yes
CITY OF NEWTON If YES,enter delivery address below: ❑ No
PO BOX 550
NEWTON NC 28658
ATTN:SEAN HOVIS,CITY MANAGER
dwr/jh 4/24/24
III
IIIIII IIII III I III I 'II III III II I I 3. Service Type 0 Priority Mail Express®
0 Adult Signature 0 Registered MaiIT"
Adult Signature Restricted Delivery 0 Registered Mail Restrict(
9590 9402 3908 8060 7351 00 Certified Mail® Delivery
❑ riffled Mail Restricted Delivery 0 Return Receipt for
❑Collect on Delivery Merchandise
?. Article Number(Transfer from service label) ❑Collect on Delivery Restricted Delivery 0 Signature Confirmationrr
-- -- -;l 0 Signature Confirmation
7022 0 410 0000 7789 5985 I Restricted Delivery Restricted Delivery

USPS TRACKING#
.' : It ,n t' 270 First-Class Mail
Postage&Fees Paid
USPS
AVI 4 L Permit No. G-10
9590 9402 3908 8060 7351 00
United States •Sender: Please print your name, address, and ZIP+4®in this box*
Postal Service
o� NCDEQ/WQROS
009 '� 610 E. CENTER AVENUE
,,t
V)L f
/Q� SUITE 301
<(' ty MOORESVILLE NC 28115
FP S
Z
i 5-2,7;--e99 �PT Iililiia1l"IPIili'I' I'lli!'11,nllli""i""I1i111"1'Ilnvill'I'II

FILES
,,,,...,..,„..,
Wt
ROY COOPER41
Governor
ELIZABETH S.BISER `•4 •,
Secretory
RICHARD E.ROGERS,JR. NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
Certified Mail#7022 0410 0000 7789 5985
Return Receipt Requested
April 24,2024
Sean Hovis,City Manager
City of Newton
PO Box 550
Newton,NC 28658
SUBJECT: Notice of Violation and Assessment of Civil Penalty
for Violations of North Carolina General Statute(G.S.) 143-215.1(a)(6)
and Collection System Permit No. WQCS00044
City of Newton �I
Newton Collection System N
Case No. DV-2024-0052 (j\.l1/
Catawba County 'ce‘
Dear Mr. Hovis:
This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of$898.97($750.00 civil penalty+
$148.97 enforcement costs)against City of Newton.
This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the Sanitary Sewer Overflow(SSO)
5-Day Report submitted by City of Newton. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the
requirements found in Collection System Permit No. WQCS00044 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1). The violation(s)that occurred
are summarized in Attachment A to this letter.
Based upon the above facts,I conclude as a matter of law that City of Newton violated the terms,conditions or
requirements of Collection System Permit No. WQCS00044 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1)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).
.DE Q North Caroina Department of Environmental Quality Divis on of Water Resources
Mooresvllk Regional 01fln el0 East Center Avenue.Suite 301!MooresvUk.North Carolina 28115
04.6631649

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 Division of Water Resources,I,Andrew
H. Pitner,Regional Supervisor,Mooresville Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against City
of Newton:
$750.00 For 1 of the 6 violations of Collection System Permit No.WQCS00044 and G.S. 143-215.1(a)(1)for
Sanitary Sewer Overflow(s)resulting in a discharge without a valid permit.
$750.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY
$148.97 Enforcement Costs
$898.97 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 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:
Attn: PERCS Branch
Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617

♦
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 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:
Attn: PERCS Branch
Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
AND
Andrew H. Pitner,P.G.,Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources,NCDEQ
610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Mooresville,NC 28115

t
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 §150B-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 r garding 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:
6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699 6714
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
One(1)copy of the petition must also be served on DEQ as follows:
Mr.William F.Lane,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,please contact Joanna Harbison with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Mooresville
Regional Office at(704)663-1699 or via email at ioanna.harbison( dea.nc.gov.
Sincerely,
l—DocuSigned by:
A+ w H
`—F 161 FB69A2D84A3...
Andrew H.Pitner,P.G.,Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources,NCDEQ
ATTACHMENTS
Cc: WQS Mooresville Regional Office-Enforcement File
PERCS Compliance/Enforcement Unit-Enforcement File

JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST
Case Number: DV-2024-0052 County: Catawba
Assessed Party: City of Newton
Permit No.: WQCS00044 Amount Assessed: $898.97
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:

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
COUNTY OF CATAWBA
IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN
OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADNIINISTRATIVE HEARING AND
) STIPULATION OF FACTS
City of Newton )
Newton Collection System )
)
PERMIT NO.WQCS00044 ) CASE NO. DV-2024-0052
Having been assessed civil penalties totaling$898.97 for violation(s)as set forth in the assessment document of the Division
of Water Resources dated April 24,2024,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 ,20
SIGNATURE
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE

ATTACHMENT A
City of Newton
CASE NUMBER: DV-2024-0052
PERMIT NO: WQCS00044 REGION: Mooresville
FACILITY: Newton Collection System COUNTY: Catawba
Other Violations
INCIDENT VIOLATION TOTAL VOLUME PENALTY
NUMBER DATE VIOLATION TYPE VIOLATION DESCRIPTION (GALLONS) AMOUNT
202400092 1/9/2024 CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 252 $0.00
202400090 1/9/2024 CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 270 $0.00
202400086 1/9/2024 CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 7,410 $0.00
202400083 1/9/2024 CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 16,200 $0.00
202400080 1/9/2024 CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 129,000 $0.00
202400348 1/25/2024 CSO/SSO(Sewer Overflow) Discharge without valid permit 12,375 $750.00

DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES-CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT
Violator: City of Newton
Facility Name: Newton Collection System
Permit Number: WQCS00044
County: Catawba
Case Number: DV-2024-0052
ASSESSMENT FACTORS
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;
Harm was not documented;however,the unpermitted discharge of untreated wastewater has the potential to adversely
impact natural resources,public health and private property.
2) The duration and gravity of the violation;
As documented in Attachment A.
3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality;
Effects were not documented;however,the unpermitted discharge of untreated wastewater has the potential to adversely
impact surface water quality.
4) The cost of rectifying the damage;
Costs were not documented.
5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance;
Money was not saved by noncompliance.
6) Whether the violation was committed willfully or intentionally;
There is no evidence suggesting that Newton acted willfully or intentionally in regard to these incidents.
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
Newton reports and addresses SSOs.
8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures.
$148.97
DocuSlpned by:
I A4 hcw H Pa444
2.24.2024 F161F869A2D64A3...
Date Andrew H.Pitner,P.G.,Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources,NCDEQ