NC0069841_Other Correspondence_20190328 (4)

Department of Public Works
Water/Wastewater Division
4600 Goldmine Road
Monroe, NC 28110
T.704-289-1434
F. 704-289-7395
www.unioncountync.gov
March 28, 2019
Mr. W. Corey Basinger
Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Dear Mr. Basinger,
This letter is in response to NOV-2019-LV-0185, permit limit exceedances at the Crooked
Creek WRF.
These exceedances were caused by a failure of a check valve on the waste activated sludge
(WAS) piping. This valve, when operating correctly, prevents the WAS in the digesters from
returning to the plant. By the time of the first exceedance, we were already investigating the
increase in solids in the plant. Around the third week in January, we discovered that the check
valve was not closing properly.
Maintenance staff removed the top of the valve and found a broken tool had made its way
through the pumps and lodged in the check valve causing a large buildup of debris which was
preventing the valve from closing. This resulted in all the solids wasted out of the plant each day
flowing back into the RAS/WAS pit at night. These solids were then returned via the RAS pumps
into the plant, causing increased solids throughout the train and higher than normal BOD and
TSS sample results.
After the blockage was removed, maintenance staff re -assembled the valve and put it back into
service. However, after a few days, and no change in plant solids concentrations, it became
apparent that the valve was blocked open again. Upon further investigation it was discovered
that a large deposit of debris had entered the pit, probably due to elevated flows from the
collection system. The pit and valve have both been cleaned and are once again we will
continue to monitor the situation and believe our corrective actions should prevent
reoccurrence.
Sincerely,
Andre 4
Water/Wastewater Division Director
Union County Public Works
Cc: Aubrey Lofton, Public Works Administrator
N coi Josh Brooks, Assistant Division Director
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Bart Farmer, Water Reclamation Superintendent
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ROY COOPER
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MIC14AEL S. RECAN
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LINDA CULPEPPER
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Certified Mail # 7017 2620 0000 6788 5429
Return Receipt Requested
Mark Watson, County Manager
Union County
500 N Main Street, Suite 918
Monroe, NC 28112
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
March 19, 2019
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-LV-0185
Permit No. NCO069841
Crooked Creek WWTP #2
Union County
Dear Mr. Watson:
A review of the January 2019 Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) for the subject facility revealed the violation(s)
indicated below:
Limit Exceedance Violation(s):
Sample Limit Reported
Location Parameter Date Value Value Type of Violation
001 Effluent BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) - 1/12/2019 15 80.9 Weekly Average Exceeded
Concentration (C0310)
001 Effluent Solids, Total Suspended - 1/12/2019 45 228.77 Weekly Average Exceeded
Concentration (00530)
001 Effluent BOD, 5-Day (20 Deg. C) - 1/31/2019 10 18.07 Monthly Average Exceeded
Concentration (C0310)
001 Effluent Solids, Total Suspended - 1/31/2019 30 51.47 Monthly Average Exceeded
Concentration (CO530)
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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 WW 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 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 10-day period, a civil penalty assessment may be
prepared.
Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the
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.
Reminder: 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.
If you have any questions concerning this matter or to apply for an SOC, please contact Roberto Scheller of
the Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-1699.
Sincerely,
DocuSigneduby*
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W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
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NPDES Compliance/Enforcement Unit - Enforcement File
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