NC0077615_NOV-2019-LV-0391_20190618

June 18, 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-0391
Permit No. NCO077615
Origin Food Group, LLC
Iredell County
Mr. Basinger,
I
WOROS
-,,Y,-4tf5VUE REGION
Thank you for providing Origin Food Group, LLC, 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 effluent Total Suspended Solids (TSS) exceedance that occurred on April 23, 2019. This
exceedance, in turn, raised the monthly average above the permitted limit.
Until April 2019, this facility has not discharged treated wastewater since August 2018, with
only 2 exceptions in October and December of 2018. This is due to the fact that the plalit
generating the domestic wastewater that is treated at this facility is very small and has few
restrooms or other sources of domestic wastewater. The two above -mentioned instances when
this wastewater plant was discharging resulted from having to pump out the clarifier and aeration
basin to perform basic maintenance. When it became necessary to resume discharging, the
operator prepared days in advance by aerating the basin, closely monitoring dissolved oxygen
and mixed liquor ratios, and pulling process control COD and TSS samples prior to the effluent.
When the process control sample results came back from the lab within the limits of the permit,
flow resumed, as did effluent sampling. In spite of the preparation and precautions taken by the
operator, the Total Suspended Solids exceeded the limits of the NPDES permit.

To correct this problem, the plant has been re -seeded. Beginning on May 17, bacterial
supplements have been added at regular intervals by the operator. To date, a total of 13 pounds
ofVitaStitn Rebuild have been added, as well as 5 Pounds of SniartBOD. Both products used
together have restored the plant to a state of compliance.
In short, it is our belief that the Origin Food Group wastewater treatment plant is being run in an
ethical and efficient manner, and the staff members operating and maintaining it are doing so in a
C�
manner according to rules and regulations set forth by governing authorities. in light of the fact
that Such precautionary measures were taken prior to the'I'SS exceedance, and such haste was
made immediately after to correct the infraction, is our request that the Division of Water
Resources take these factors into consideration when determining enforcement action on this
Notice of Violation.
Sincerely,
Origin Food (.iroup, LLC
CC: Mike Myers, Envirolink
David Strum, Envirolink
Rebecca Manning, Envirolink
Chris Bitterman, Envirolink