NC0005274_More Information (Received)_20190607

Lowell Investments 1, LLC
5320 Old Pineville load, Charlotte, NC 28217
`Iel [phone]
7 June 2019
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
Re: Unanticipated Wastewater Release
Lowell Investments 1, LLC
NPDES Permit No. NC0005274
Gaston County
Dear Mr. Basinger:
JUN 3 201
VVQROS
Via Email
Via Certified Mail
On Monday, 3 June 2019 shortly after noon I met with our contract landscapers at the facility at
1602 N. Main St. in Lowell. While reviewing the area, we discovered that stainless steel valves
and/or blind flanges had been unbolted and removed from ports at the base of Tanks 4 and 5,
presumably by vandals scavenging the metal for scrap value, resulting in release of most of the
water in those tanks. Solids in the water from Tank 4 had left a thin sediment residue on the
asphalt beneath the single opened port on that tank. Two opened ports on Tank 5 showed
evidence of forceful water release but no sediment residue. Subsequent further investigation'
revealed that a valve had been unbolted and removed from Tank 3, which had been dewatered in
a previous act of vandalism earlier this year, and some sludge from Tank 3 had been released and
water was dripping from the opened port.
Tanks 3, 4 and 5 are located in a gravel and asphalt lined slight depression on the northeast side
of the property on a hill above the South Fork Catawba River. Discoloration indicated the
presence of the released wastewater on the surrounding gravel and asphalt ground surface. There
are three grating -covered sump openings in this area with visible drain pipes connected.
Although we have been unable to find drawings for theses drains, we located a large pipe
emerging from the hill below the tank area at the beginning of a path of discoloration down a
section of larger riprap rock traceable all the way to the river below. There was no sediment or
sludge deposit evident coming from this pipe, or in the path down the hill to the river. The pipe
had an open gate valve, which we left closed.
Based on measurements taken in December 2018, approximately 575,000 gallons of water were
released from Tanks 4 and 5 sometime between 17 May 2019 (when wastewater handlers were
on -site assessing Work Plan details for upcoming planned discharge) and 3 June 2019.

tlnanticipatc d 11'Eistewaler Release
7 June 2019
p((ge 2 of 2
A back gate behind the tank area which leads down the hill to the river and which had been
padlocked shut was found open. The chain and padlock were replaced on this gate by the end of
the day Monday (3 June); however, the lock was found cut and the gate again open Tuesday
morning when NCDEQ and Gaston County representatives were on -site. A report was filed with
the Lowell Police Dept., and the lock was replaced again on Tuesday.
Other corrective actions and measures taken:
• The port on Tank 3 was sealed shut with gasket and blind flange with no further water
release by approximately 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 4 June.
• Blind flanges were bolted onto opened ports on Tanks 4 and 5.
• On all flanges and valves on all tanks, nuts were welded to bolts to make it extremely
difficult for these to be removed by vandals so that no further discharge can occur.
• Sludge solids were scraped and shoveled from the asphalt and gravel ground areas around
Tanks 3 and 4 and placed in a covered container for proper disposal.
• The three sumps in the tank area were sealed shut with impervious foam, caulk and
plastic caps to prevent any water from entering them. Pumping of liquids and solids from
these sumps and using a camera to trace pipeline pathways are planned for next week.
• Three openings cut into the property perimeter fence on the west side of the property
were repaired.
• Sampling of remaining tank wastewater is scheduled for next Tuesday (11 June).
Please contact me at [phone] or marijonAforsiteinc.com if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
MariJon Owens
Site Manager, Forsite Development
Cc: Ori Tuvia, NCDEQ by email only
Mike Templeton, NCDEQ by email only
Harry Zinn, NCDEQ by email only
Joselyn Harriger, NCDEQ by email only