NC0020443_NOV and Intent to Assess_20191007

ROY COOPER
Ga rrnor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
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LINDA CULPEPPER
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NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental QuoU►y
Certified Mail # 7018 1830 0000 9509 8461
Return Receipt Requested
October 07, 2019
Rhett B White
Town of Columbia
PO Box 361
Columbia, NC 27925-0361
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF VIOLATION & INTENT TO ASSESS CIVIL PENALTY
Tracking Number: NOV-2019-PC-0677
Permit No. NCO020443
Columbia WWTP
Tyrrell County
Dear Mr. White:
The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted a site visit of the Columbia WWTP on September
7, 2019. This site visit was conducted to see if the facility suffered any issues from Hurricane Dorian. The
site visit was conducted by Robbie Bullock and Chris Pullinger of the Division of Water Resources. The following
violation was noted during the inspection:
Inspection Area Description of Violation
Facility Site Review Robbie Bullock and Chris Pullinger visited the facility on 9/7/2019 to see if the facility had
any issues from Hurricane Dorian. Upon arrival we noticed there had been a sludge spill at
the WWTP. The unreported spill was estimated at 198,000 gallons and flowed offsite at three
different locations.
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 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.
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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 Robbie Bullock with the Water Quality
Regional Operations Section in the Washington Regional Office at 252-946-6481.
Sincerely,
ROW TA4,-"
Robert Tankard, Assistant Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Washington Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
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