201800303_NOV2018DV0050_20180220

s
Water Resources
Environmental Quality
20 February 2018
CERTIFIED MAIL #: 7016 1370 0000 2595 7924
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. Vernon Coates
Piedmont Airlines
5504 Josh Birmingham Parkway
Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
Dear Mr. Coates:
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Interim Director
Subject: Notice of Violation
Unpermitted Wastewater Discharge
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Mecklenburg County
Tracking #: NOV-2018-DV-0050
Chapter 143, Article 21 of the North Carolina General Statutes (G.S.) authorizes and directs the
Environmental Management Commission of the Department of Environmental Quality to protect and
preserve the water resources of the State. The Division of Water Resources (DWR) has the delegated
authority to enforce adopted water pollution control rules and regulations.
On February 12, 2018, DWR staff observed a Piedmont Airlines employee washing wastewater
and debris (toilet paper, etc.) out of the centralized wastewater disposal site (Triturator) for airplane lavatory
waste and into an adjacent stormwater drainage system. This stormwater drainage system discharges into
Coffee Creek. Piedmont Airlines had not applied for or received a permit to discharge wastewater from the
Division.
Please be advised that G.S. 143-215.6A provides for a civil penalty assessment of not more than
twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00), or twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) per day when the
violation is of a continuing nature, against any person who is required but fails to apply for or to secure a
permit required by G.S. 143-215.1(a). Penalties may also be assessed for any damage to surface waters of
the State that may result from the unpermitted discharge.
It is requested that a written response be submitted to this Office by March 16, 2018, detailing the
actions taken to address this violation and all efforts to prevent the recurrence of any future violations. In
responding, please address your comments to the attention of Mr. Wes Bell.
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality) Water Resources I Water Quality Regional Operations
Mooresville Regional Office 1610 East Center Avenue, Suite 310 1 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
704-663-1699

Mr. Vernon Coates
Page Two
February 20, 2018
Should you have any questions concerning this report, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Bell at
[phone], or via email at wes.bell(cr�,ncdenr.gov.
Sincerely,
EDocuSigned by:
A14CC681 AF27425...
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Enclosure:
Pictures
cc: Earnest Taylor, American Airlines (via E -copy)
Jimmy Jordan, CDIA (via E -copy)
Rusty Rozzelle, MCWQP
MSC -1617 Central -Basement
MW