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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0028975_LV20170101_20170404Certified Mail # 7015 1520 0003 5463 4699 Return Receipt Requested April 04, 2017 RMIVEDONCOEOIDWR Fred Baisden APR 0 7 2017 City of Saluda �waterQuality� PO Box 248 Saluda, NC 28773-0248 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. NCO028975 City of Saluda Saluda WWTP Case No. LV -2017-0101 Polk County Dear Permittee: This -liter: tansmits a Notice d Violatierr%atid assessnilent of civil enal_ ;,ii�.the_amQunt,of;$216:62 $10Q.(i0 iv 1; anal +. ; $116.62 enforcement costs) against, City of Saluda. This assessment is based upon the following facts: a review has been conducted of the discharge monitoring report (DMR) submitted by City of Saluda for the month of October 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. NC0028975. The violations, which occurred in October 2016, are summarized in Attachment A to this letter. Based upon the above facts, I conclude as a matter of law that City of Saluda violated the terms, conditions or requirements of NPDES WW Permit No. NCO028975 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, G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor, Asheville Regional Office hereby make the following civil penalty assessment against City of Saluda: State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources 2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-2964500 r $100.00 1 of the 1 violations of 143-215.1(a)(6) and Permit No.NC0028975, by discharging waste water into the waters of the State in violation of the Permit Weekly Average for BOD - Cone. $100.00 TOTAL CIVIL PENALTY $116.62 Enforcement Costs $216.62 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'4nade ulirecdy--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 1 1 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 thir1y(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) 733-2698 Fax: (919) 733-3478 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 reeeived stamp (not a postmark); 11 esult in this matter being referred to the Aitorriey'Gerieral`s Office foi°= 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 Janet Cantwell with the Division of Water Resources staff of the Asheville Regional Office at (828) 296-4667 or via email atjanet.cantwell@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supee Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS Cc: WQS Asheville Regional Office - Enforcement File NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File KACE Inc./ ORC G:i4VR'�WQ\Polk',Wastewater\bfunicipallSnluda NVW'T'V 2897511-V-2017-010I.rtf Case Number: LV -2017-0101 Assessed Party: City of Saluda Permit No.: NC0028975 JUSTIFICATION FOR REMISSION REQUEST County: Polk. Amount Assessed: $216.62 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. § 14313-282.1(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. 14313-282.1(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 POLK 1N THE MATTER OF ASSESSMENT ) WAIVER OF RIGHT TO AN OF CIVIL PENALTIES AGAINST ) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING AND STIPULATION OF FACTS City of Saluda ) Saluda WWTP 1 PERMIT NO. NCO028975 ) CASE NO. LV -2017-0101 Having been assessed civil penalties totaling $216.62 for violation(s) as set forth in the assessment document of the Division of Water Resources dated April 04, 2017, 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 (3 0) 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 TELEPHONE SIGNATURE 20 fl 1 , i ATTACHMENT A City of Saluda CASE NUMBER: LV -2017-0101 PERMIT:, NCO028975 REGION: Asheville FACILITY: Saluda WWTP COUNTY: Polk LIMIT VIOLATION(S) SAMPLE LOCATION: Outfall 001 - Effluent Violation Report Unit of Limit Calculated % Over Violation Date Month/Yr Parameter Frequency Measure Value Value Limit Type Penalty Amount 10/29/2016 10-2016 BOD, 5 -Day (20 Deg. Weekly mg/I -45 >70 55.6 Weekly $100.00 C) - Concentration Average Exceeded DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES - CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSMENT (File) Violator: City of Saluda Facility Name: Saluda'WWTP Permit Number: NCO028975 County: Polk Case Number:, LV -2017-0101 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; All effluent violations may be detrimental to the receiving stream butmay not be immediately quantified. 2) The duration and gravity of the violation; One Weekly Average BOD exceeded the permit limit by 5 5.5 5 %. 3) The effect on ground or surface water quantity, or quality or on air quality; All effluent violations may be detrimental to the receiving stream but may not be immediately quantified. 4) The cost of rectifying the damage; The cost is unknown. 5) The amount of money saved by noncompliance; The amount of money saved is unknown. The amount of money saved would include the cost of excess solids removal and additional aeration. It would also include more operating and maintenance time on site and the cost of additional chemical treatment. The amount of money saved would include the cost of collection of the additional samples and the cost of analyzing them at a certified lab. h). Whether the violation was committed willfully -or intentionally; It -does not appear to be either. 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 There have been no'civil penalty enforcements in the twelve months -prior to this violation. 8) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures. $116.62 Date G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Reg upervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ NPDES PERMIT NO.: NCO028975 FACILITY NAME: Saluda VAVTP OWNER NAME: City of Saluda GRADE: WW -2 eDMR PERIOD: 10-2016 (October 2016) PERMIT VERSION: 4.0us.( XERWrSTAT ctive CLASS: WW -2 - R E C� FEW E! AUPolk LINTY: ORC: Jason Howard Phillips "DEC 0 &:2016 ORC CERT NUMBER: 23496 ORC HAS CEMNGED: No -CEN'oRAL IfILES STATUS: Processed VERSION- 1.0 DW� SECTION SAMPLING LOCATION: EFFLUENT.:.. .,DISCHARGE INTO.: '001 NO DISCHARGE*: NO r ing Ream W-Reuse/Rerycle; ENVWTHR = No Visitation -Adverse Weather, NOFLOW = No Flow, HOLMAY = No Visitation - Holiday Diviiil mMa r IV6 V 0 EK 1 2 2016 6 /0/ Ou.qlitv Reoional Operations E 50050 Continuous Recorder ;R 4 FLOW 00010 5 X week Cb TEMP -C 00400 weekly Grab PH 50060 2 X week Grab ICHLORM C03111 " Weekly Composite jpOD_- C C0610 C0530� Weekly Weekly Composite Corftpo;ite NH3-N- Cone I TSS - Conc, 31616 Weekly GraV FCOLIDR 0036 Weekly Grab DO MOO clock Bra MOO clock Urs URN mtd deg c So U94 mgA mg/1 w10oml MgA,. 1310 1.0 Y 0.034 2 0.034 3 0630 1.0 Y 0.025 23 1 26 4 10600 1.0 Y 0.063 22 - 39 2.7 011 5.8 12 5 1500 2.0 Y 0.021 22 6.7 5.28 6 0630 1.0 Y 0.067 21 7 1600 1.0 ly 0.029 22 8: 0.028 9 0.028 10 1 10600 2.0 Y 0.014 21 7 5.25 11 0600 1.0 Y 0.042 18 28 <2 <0.1 <5 <1 12 1600 2.0 0.021 19 13 1430 1.0 Y 0.038 19 14 1000 2.0 Y 0.035 17 46 15 0.035 16 0.035 17U33 6665 1.0--_ 19 6.6' 45 5.16 1s 0600 1.0 ly 0.036 • 20 22 3.6 012 w <5 12 19 1000 1.0 Y 0.031 21 20 11100 Lo Y 0.025 20 21 0800 1.0 Y 0.032 21 22 0.034 23 1 1030 1.0 y 0.038 18 24 0610 2.0 y 0.015 19 43 25 0610 1.0 Y 0.045 117 41 >701 0.1 -5.4 2 26 11700 2.0 ly U12 18 17.1 5.18 27 10600 Lo Y 0.045 17 28 1600 1.0 Y 0.032 19 290.032 0 0.032 31 1600 Ito Y 0.015 19 16.8 39 5.04 Monthly Average Limit 0.1 2.4 30 200 Monddy Average: 0.032419 19.636364 136.555556 19.075 .0.1575. 2,8 2.632149 5.182 Da4 Ma.iimium: 0.067 23 7.1 146 70 10.3-1 8 5.8 112 528 Wi Daily riiamum: - 0.012 17 6.6 122 0 1 0 .0 10 5.04 r ing Ream W-Reuse/Rerycle; ENVWTHR = No Visitation -Adverse Weather, NOFLOW = No Flow, HOLMAY = No Visitation - Holiday Diviiil mMa r IV6 V 0 EK 1 2 2016 6 /0/ Ou.qlitv Reoional Operations r NPDES PERMIT NO.: NCO028975 PERMIT VERSION: 4.0 PERMIT STATUS: Active r FACILITY NAME: Saluda WWTP CLASS: WW -2 COUNTY: Polk OWNER NAME: City of Saluda : ORC: Jason Howard Phillips ORC CERT NUMBER: 23496 GRADE: WW -2 ORC HAS CHANGED: No eDMRPERIOD: 10-2016 (October 2016) VERSION: 1.0 STATUS: Processed COMPLIANCE: CONTACT PHONE #: 8286571810 SUBMISSION DATE: 11/29/2016 11/29/2016 ORC/Certifier Signature:achael' G tame E-Mail:rachae,l@kaceinc.com Phone #:828-657-1810 Date By this signature, I certify that this report is accurate. and complete to the best of my knowledge. The permittee shall report to the Director or the appropriate Regional Office any noncompliance that potentially threatens public health or the environment. Any information shall be provided 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 required by part II.E.6 of . the NPDES permit. . 11/29/2016 Permittee/Submitter. Signature:* *..Rachael G as er E.-Mail:rachael@kaceinc.com Phone #:828-657-1810 Date Permittee Address: Pearson Falls Rd SaludaNG28773 Permit Expiration Date: 07/31/2018 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 inquiry 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 false information, including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations. CERTIFIED LABORATORIES LAB NAME: Environmental Testing Solutions, Inc.; KACE Environmental, Inc. CERTurIED LAB #: 600; 5424 PERSON(s) COLLECTING SAMPLES: Jason Phillips PARAMETER CODES Parameter.Code assistance may be obtained by calling the NPDES Unit (919) 807-6300 or by visiting http://portaLncdenr.org/web/wq/swp/ps/npdes/forms. . FOOTNOTES 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 entire. monitoring period. ** ORC on Site?: ORC-must visit facility and document visitation of facility as required per 15A NCAC 8G.0204. *** Signature of Permittee: If signed by other than the permittee, then delegation of the signatory authority must be on file with the state per 15A NCAC 2B .0506(b)(2)(D). a NPD'ES PERNIIT NO.: NCO028975 FACILITY NAME: Saluda WWTP OWNER NAME: City of Saluda GRADE: WW -2 eDMR PERIOD: 10-2016 (October 2016) PERMIT VERSION: 4.0 CLASS: WW -2 ORC: Jason Howard Phillips ORC HAS CHANGED: No VERSION: 1.0 P PERMIT STATUS: Active COUNTY: Polk ORC CERT NUMBER: 23496 STATUS: Processed Report Comments: On 10/25/2016 the BOD was out of compliance due to an over -feed of de -chlorination agent. The De -chlorination system was upgraded and modified to correct the issue. Sample results on 11/1/2016 showed DOD levels had returned to levels within the permitted parameters. Permit Enforcement History Details by Owner 4/3/2017 1 Owner: City of Saluda i Facility: Saluda WWTP Permit: NCO028975 Region : Asheville County Polk LV -2007-0020 Penalty 1/19/07 $500.00 Remission ;': Enf Enf EMC EMC OAH Collection Has $0.00 No Case Assessment Penalty MR Enforcement Request :., Conf Remission Hearing Remission Remission MemoSent Total Balance Pmt Case Number Approved PP Amount Costs Damages Received ' Held Amount Held Amount Amount To AGO Paid Due Plan Closed LV -1999-0420 10/22/99 $1,800.00 $80.00 $1,880.00 $0.00 No 12/1/99 LV -1999-0421 10/22/99 $800.00 $80.00 • $880.00 $0.00 No 1212/99 LV -2003-0551 5-2003 8/19/03 $750.00 $100.00 $0.00 $0.00 $850.00 No 7/11/06 LV -2007-0020 7-2006 1/19/07 $500.00 $126.82 $626.81 $0.00 No 2/21/07 LV -2007-0406 4-2007 11/7/07 $250.00 $70.00 $0.00 $320.00 $0.00 No 11/26/07 LV -2007-0418 5-2007 11/14/07 $250.00 $70.00 • $320.00 $0.00 No 11/26/07 LV -2009-0094 12-2008 4/1/09 $175.00 $64.00 $239.00 $0.00 No .4/16109 LV -2009-0162 1-2009 5/14/09 $125.00 $64.00 6/11/09., 5/1/09 $0.00 $189.00 $0.00 No 6/17/09 LV -2009-0168 2-2009 5/15/09 $300.00 $64:00 t $364.00 $0.00 No 6/17/09 LV -2009-0268 4-2009 8/6/09 $1,562.50 $64.00 12/28/09 $1,626.50 $0.00 No 2/23/10 LV -2009-0435. 6-2009 12/11/09 $507.50 $67.00 5/7/10 $574.50 No LV -2017-0101 10-2016 3/31/17 $100.00 $116.62 $216.62 No LV -2008-0298 5-2008 $750.00 $70.00 $820.00 No Total Cases: 13 Total Penalty Amount: $7,870 Total Enforcement Cosf: ' $1,036.44 Sum Of Total Paid: $6,445.31 Total Balance Due: $2,461.12 Sum of Total Case Penalties; $8,906.44 Total Penalties After Remissions: $8,906.43 z