Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0021881_LV20160161_20160902kY'Qi'erResource's V vtRbIOUNY', i.CiiJ.A sry Certified Mail # 7013 2630 0002 1133 5986 Return Receipt Requested September 2, 2016 Harry W Foley Town of Lake Waccamaw PO Box 145 Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450-0145 PAT IVICCRORY Ga�-emer DONALD R. V ANI DER VAA.RT JAY 21:1NII ERMAN 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 WW Permit No. NCO021881 Town of Lake Waccamaw Lake Waccamaw WWTP Case No. LV -2016-0161 Columbus County Dear Permittee: RECEIVEDINCOEQUIVR SEP 0 8 2015 water Quality Permitting Section This letter transmits a Notice of Violation and assessment of civil penalty in the amount of $429.50 ($312.50 civil penalty + $117.00 enforcement costs) against the Town of Lake Waccamaw. This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the discharge monitoring report (DMR) submitted by the Town of Lake Waccamaw for the month of May 2016. This review has shown the subject facility to be in violation of the discharge limitations and/or monitoring requirements found in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0021881. The violations, which occurred in May 2016, are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that Town of Lake Waccamaw violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NCO021881 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 Environmental Quality and the Director of the Division of Water Resources, I, James H. Gregson, Regional Supervisor, Wilmington Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against the Town of Lake Waccamaw: State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I WatenResources 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 910-796-7215 . $312.50 1 of the 1 violations of 143-215.1(a)(6) and Pi.rmit No.NC0021881, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Weekly Geometric Mean for Fecal Coliform. $312.50 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $117.00 Enforcement Costs $429.50 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: Wastewater 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 i .equest: 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: Wastewater Branch 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 §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 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) 431-3000 Fax: (919) 431-3100 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served on DEQ as follows: Mr. Sam M. Hayes, 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 Dean Hunkele with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Wilmington Regional Office at (910) 796-7215 or via email at dean.hunkele@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Ja s . Gregson, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional. Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Wilmington Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File i JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST Case Number: LV -2016-0161 County: Columbus Assessed Party: Town of Lake Waccamaw Permit No.: NCO021881 Amount Assessed: $429.50 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: A STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ~ COUNTY OF COLUMBUS IN THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS Town of Lake Waccamaw ) Lake Waccamaw WWTP ) PERMIT NO. NCO021881 ) CASE NO. LV -2016-0161 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $429.50 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated August 15, 2016, 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 ADDRESS TELEPHONE SIGNATURE o] > ATTACHIVIIENT A Town of Lake Waccamaw CASE NUMBER: LV -2016-0161 PERMIT: NCO021881 FACILITY: Lake Waccamaw WWTP REGION: Wilmington COUNTY: Columbus LIMIT VIOLATION(S) SAMPLE LOCATION: Outfall 001 - Effluent Violation Report Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Violation Penalty Date Month/Yr Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Type Amount 5/7/2016 5-2016 Coliform; Fecal MF, 3 X week #/100ml 400 630.30 57.6 Weekly $312.50 MFC Broth, 44.5 C Geometric Mean Exceeded DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT Violator: Town of Lake Waccamaw Facility Name: Lake Waccamaw WWTP Permit Number: NC0021881 County: Columbus Case Number: LV -2016-0161 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; 9 _. 2) The durtia o�d g� vitt' off h violation;m 3) The of ect on ground or surface water quantity or quality or on air quality; t41.�/la-i,vru� . 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 S 8) The cost to�ate of the enforcement procedures. $117.00 $117.00 AA Date J me H. 6regsonjRWio—nASupervisor Wkef Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ NPDES.PERMIT NO.: NCO021881 FACILITY NAME: Lake Waccamaw WWTP OWNER NAME: Town of Lake Waccamaw GRADE: WW -2 eDMR PERIOD: 05-2016 (May 2016) PERMIT VERSION: 4.0 CLASS: WW -2 ORC: Michael J Prostinak ORC HAS CHANGED: No VERSION: 1.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active COUNTY: Columbus ORC CERT NUMBER: 9587 STATUS: Processed SAMPLING LOCATION: EFFLUENT DISCHARGE NO.: 001 NO DISCHARGE*: NO q c u EU U E p E F; i E F` E50050 p - E < O O E F 1 O U O ec ' Continuous C Recorder Z C FLOW 00010 5 X week Grab TEMP -C 00400 Weekly2 Grab PH 50060 X week Grab CHLORINE C0310 WeeklyWeeklyWeekly3 Composite BOD - Cont C0610 C0530 Composite Composite NH3-N-Cont TSS -Cont 31616 X week Grab' FEC COLI 00300iz ' Weekly Grab DO 2400 dock Hrs 2400 dock Hrs YB/N tnd deg c so ugA EgIl mg11 mg1l il1100ml mgA 1 0.191 2 0900 8 Y 0.242 21.6 3 0900. 8 Y 0.287 21.5 7.22 115 773 7.93 4 1 1000 0900 18 Y 1 0.773 21.7 7.12 20 > 6000 7.6 5 1000 24 0900 8 Y 0.479 20.8 7.32 17 4.8 0.78 9.9 54 7.98 6 0900 8 Y 0.352 19.2 7 0.302 8 0.274 9 1 0900 8 B 0.264 21.3 10 1000 0900 8 B 0.252 21.5 7.4 18 <1 8.05 11 1000 24 0900 8 B 0.24 21.7 7.47 <10 <2 0.57 3.8 3 8.65 12 1000 24 0900 8 B 0.227 22 17.45 <10 < 1 8.07 13 0900 8 B 0.243 22.6 14 0.216 15 0.198 16 0900 8 Y 0.175 20.1 17 0900 8 B 0.179 120.2 7.73 48 < I 8.12 18 1000 0900 8 B 0.194 20.7 8.11 <10 3 8.3 19 1000 24 10900 8 B 0.193 20.1 7.8 < 10 3.1 10.63 3.1 < 1 7.5 20 0900 is I B 0.195 20.1 ' 21 0.198 22 0.186 23 0900 8 Y 0.182 20.6 24 0900 8 Y 0.185 i9A 7.2 < 10 < 1 7.49 25 1000 0900 8 Y 0.172 20.4 7.8 < 10 <1 7.86' 26 1000 24 0900 8 Y 0.169 21.5 7.46 47 12 0.08 3.3 2 6.95 27 0900 8 Y 0.155 22.5 28 0.173 29 0.215 30 0.242 H H H H H 31 0900 8 Y 1 0.219 Monthly Average Limit: 0.4 24.5 7.45 1 28 10 2 30 <1 200 7.13 Monthly Average: 0.244258 21.142857 14.846154 14.975 0.515 5.025 5.5286 7.817692 Daily Maximum: 10.773 24.5 8.11 46 12 10.78 9.9 6000 8.65 Daily Minimum: 0.155 19? 7.12 0 0 0.08 3.1 0 6.95 No Reporting Reason: ENFRUSE =No Flow-Reuse/Recycle; ENVWTHR = No Visitation - Adverse Weather; NOFLOW = No Flow; HOLIDAY = No Visitation - Holiday JUL 0 6 ?016 JUN 3 0 2016 r. i i •_JEI 4 E��y Water Quality Regional €fir l'; : , `c-:11C)N •„ ®perations Section ER MIT NO.: NC0021881 ILITY NAME: Lake Waccamaw WWTP WNER NAME: Town of Lake Waccamaw GRADE: WW -2 eDMR PERIOD: 05-2016 (May 2016) PERMIT VERSION: 4.0 CLASS: WW -2 ORC: Michael J Prostinak ORC HAS CHANGED: No VERSION: 1.0 • PERMIT STATUS: Active COUNTY: Columbus ORC CERT NUMBER: 9587 STATUS: Processed Report Comments: Heavy rainfall during the first week of the month caused the Fecal Coliform to exceed the acceptable limits. The heavy flow did not allow a sufficient detention time at the Chlorine Chamber to properly disinfect.the effluent discharge. Please note that the Geometric Mean for all other Fecal .Coliform testing was in the single digits, with most being less than 1. 9 Certified Maill # 7013 2630 0002 1 133 617691 Return Receipt Reguested July 14, 2016 Harry W Foley Town of Lake Waccamaw PO Box 145 Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450-0145 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY Tracking Number: NOV-2016-LV-0399 Permit No. NCO021881 Lake Waccamaw WV TP Columbus County Dear Permittee: .:SArYC2G1°T �TAirecttiat A review of the May 2016 Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) for the subject facility revealed the violation(s) indicated below: Limit Exceedance Violation((): Sample Limit Reported Location Parameter Date Value Valve Type of Violation 001 Effluent Coliform, Fecal MF, M -FC 5/7/2016 400 630.34 Weekly Geometric Mean Exceeded Broth,44.5C (31616) A Notice of Violation/Intent to Issue Civil Penalty is being issued for the noted violation of North Carolina General Statute (G.S.) 143-215.1 and the facility's NPDES Permit. Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. If you wish to provide additional information regarding the noted violation, request technical assistance, or discuss overall compliance please respond in writing within ten (10) business days after receipt of this Notice. A review of your response will be considered along with any information provided on the submitted Discharge Monitoring Report(s). You will then be notified of any civil penalties that may be assessed regarding the violations. If no response is received in this Office within the 910 -day period, a civil penalty assessment may be prepared. State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 ' rf Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in-t�e future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of State law. If the violations are of a continuing nature, not related to operation and/or maintenance problems, and you anticipate remedial construction activities; then you may wish to consider applying for a Special Order by Consent. Remainder: Pursuant to Permit Condition 6 in Section E, the Permittee is required to verbally notify the Regional Office as soon as possible, not to exceed 24 hours, from first knowledge of any non-compliance at the facility including limit violations, bypasses of, or failure of a treatment unit. A written report may be required within 5 days if directed by Division staff. Prior notice should be given for anticipated or potential problems due to planned maintenance activities, taking units off-line, etc. Additionally and if you have not already done so, you may wish to consider registering to use the Division's new e -DMR system for the completion and electronic submittal of monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs). For more information, please visit the eDMR Website at the following address: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wg/admin/bog/ipu/edmr. If you have any questions concerning this matter or to apply for an SOC, please contact Dean Hunkele of the Wilmington Regional Office at 910-796-7215. Si Jamesdn, Regional Supervisor Water ality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Cc: WQS Wilmington. Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Extension, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 910-796-7215 2 } m rq M OfFI C IAL M rR Postage $ r"1 Certified Fee rL i E3 ReturnRecelot Fee M (Endorsement Required) O Restricted Delivery Fee 0 (Endorsement Required) lu M a C3 tti A Postmark Here N