Agenda - 06-01-2010 - 8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Inspections Department that it will need to obtain a special use permit for the planned expansion. The University has responded to the reported problems by shutting down portions of the facility, reorganizing the facility administration and overseeing the planned expansion, and working to improve communication with the Bingham community. The University has also hired consulting engineers to assess the facility design and to recommend possible improvements. A tour of the facility was provided to Commissioners Pelissier, Jacobs, Yuhasz, and Hemminger along with County staff on May 18. Attendees learned about the history of the facility, plans for expansion of the facility, and the treatment of animals on site. The following is a summary of the current problems that have been identified by DWQ and the County, and the status of how those problems have been addressed. Environmental and Environmental Health Issues: The facility has been cited by the State of North Carolina for the following surface water quality violations: ➢ In February 2010, DWQ issued a notice of violation for the December 2009 discharge of an unknown quantity of treated wastewater into an unnamed stream that flows into Collins Creek, a tributary of the Haw River and Jordan Lake. ➢ In March 2010, DWQ issued a notice of violation after broken pipes spilled a reported 1,800 gallons of treated wastewater onto the ground in late February. ➢ In April 2010, DWQ issued a notice of violation to the University for construction activities that occurred in 2008, including the filling of two small wetland areas and the unauthorized installation of piping and riprap in a stream. Current Status: All of these items are subject to regulation by the N.C. Division of Water Quality with limited monitoring provided by the Environmental Health Division of the Orange County Health Department. The status of resolving the violations is not yet known. UNC could be subjected to significant monetary penalties, or be required to complete other remedial measures in order to resolve each of the violations. Letters received by UNC regarding these violations are included as Attachment 5. The University's Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Bob Lowman, has stated that past problems with the wastewater treatment system involved leaks of highly treated wastewater approved for spray irrigation. As such, it is argued that there was no contamination of the soil, groundwater or streams, although it is not known if there is data to either support or contradict this claim at this time. Environmental Health staff has had regular contact with UNC regarding its plans, and the permitting process that it is committed to following, including any monitoring inspections by Environmental Health. It is staff's understanding that the actual permit will be a state issued DWQ permit and not an "Orange County" permit. From staff's perspective, the County will likely need to see final proposed plans before informed comment may be made about any future concerns, or in the possible abandonment plan for the systems as