NC0045471_NOV-2019-LV-0390_20190620

June 20, 2019
W. Corey Basinger, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Tracking number: NOV-2019-LV-0390
Permit No. NCO045471
Barium Springs WWTP
Iredell County
Mr. Basinger,
e
JUN 2 4: r0i9
WQROS
=1OORESViLLE REGIONAL OFFICE"
Thank you for providing Barium Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant an opportunity to reply to
the Notice of Violation issued 11 June 2019 by the Division of Water Resources. This letter is
our response to the exceedances of effluent BOD and NH3-N for the month of April, 2019.
These parameters exceeded the permitted daily maximum on 2 April 2019 which, in turn, raised
the monthly average for both parameters above their respective monthly average limits.
In the days leading up to the sampling event that occurred on April 2, significant leaks in the
concrete distribution box caused unevenly distributed wastewater to be dispersed onto the head
of the sand filters. This led to ponding at the head of the sand filters, ultimately causing BOD
and NH3-N to both exceed permitted limits. The distribution pipes could not properly disburse
wastewater through the sand bed as designed. The water, left concentrated in one area, was
unable to utilize all of the available sand needed for filtration.
Since the discovery of the above -mentioned leaks, Barium Springs maintenance staff have
repaired the leaks in the distribution box to ensure that wastewater entering the filters maintains
an even distribution and is filtered according to the design of the filters. In addition, the
distribution lines have been jetted and flushed to remove any accumulated solids that have built
UP.

It is our belief that our wastewater treatment facility is being run in a responsible manner, and the
staff members operating and maintaining it are doing so in a manner according to rules and
regulations set forth by the Department of Environmental Quality. It is our request that the
Division of Water Resources take into consideration our frankness in this matter, as well as the
corrective measures taken, when determining enforcement action on this Notice of Violation.
Sincerely, i
S
Barium Springs WWTP
CC: Mike Myers, Envirolink
David Strum, Envirolink
Rebecca Manning, Envirolink
Chris Bitterman, Envirolink