NC0026573_NOV-2019-PC-0235 Response_20190417

CITY OF MORGANTON
NORTH CAROLINA
WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
April 17th, 2019
G. Landon Davidson, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ-Division of Water Resources
2090 US Highway 70
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Subject: Notice of Violations: NOV-2019-PC-235
Dear Mr. Davidson,
I have reviewed the permit violation referenced in NOV-2019-PC-235. After
reviewing and discussing this incident with plant staff, it was determined that the
violation was directly attributed to the heavy rainfall events during the week of February
18th 2019. The area received over 5 inches of rain. Plant staff utilized all influent pumps
to maintain the incoming flow & operated all available treatment units to maintain solids
within the facility. The hydraulic overload resulted in the bypass of primary effluent for a
short time.
I believe my staff made every attempt to mitigate the effects of the increased
influent volume. All available tanks were put online to help handle the high volume of
flow during the days of violation. Our plant is currently under construction with
improvements that will help in controlling these heavy rainfall events in the future. The
final completion date, where all processes will be online, has been pushed out until May
2019 due to the high amount of rainfall at the plant. Eli Self, plant ORC, contacted a
member of your staff (Linda Wiggs) to inform her of this violation as soon as it was
determined.
I hope that the details explained in this letter will be taken into consideration
when the determination of a civil penalty assessment is made. I prefer to spend my
department dollars on capital projects and infrastructure improvements.
Telephone [phone] East Union Street, Suite A100 PO Box 3448
www.ci.tnorganton.nc.us Morganton, NC 28655 Morganton, NC 28680-3448

If there are any questions please call 828-438-5276.
Sincerely,
Bract Boris
Water Resources Director
Telephone [phone] East Union Street, Suite A100 PO Box 3448
www.ci.moreanton.nc.us Morganton, NC 28655 Morganton, NC 28680-3448