NC0025836_NOV and Intent to Assess_20190708

Certified Mail # 7017 2620 0000 9759 6784
Return Receipt Requested

July 08, 2019

Sidney Harrison, Mayor
Town of Hot Springs
PO Box 218
Hot Springs, NC 28743-0218

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0499
Permit No. NC0025836
Hot Springs WWTP
Madison County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Hot Springs WWTP on July 1,
2019. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and
limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0025836. A summary of the findings and comments noted
during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.

The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Asheville
Regional Office. The following violation(s) were noted during the inspection:

Inspection Area Description of Violation _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Operations & Maintenance The plant has 3 return ports that are shooting return sludge onto the catwalk leading to
the clarifier. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Aeration Basins Two of the eight diffusers are not functioning. This was first noted in the 2018 inspection. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In addition, the issues below must also be addressed:

Compliance Issue(s): The chlorine contact chamber is very rusted and should probably be refurbished or
replaced. The clarifier weirs should be cleaned more often, there was a lot of algae buildup on them.

DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A18603-95C5-4B08-8D5C-D5D52FA84065

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 additional information provided. 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 should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Daniel Boss with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500.

Sincerely,

G. Landon Davidson, P.G., Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Asheville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS

Ec: WQS ARO Server, Laserfiche
Randy Joseph, ORC
G:\WR\WQ\Madison\Wastewater\Municipal\Hot Springs WWTP 25836\20190708_NC0025836_NOVNOI2019PC0499.rtf
DocuSign Envelope ID: F4A18603-95C5-4B08-8D5C-D5D52FA84065