Source: NCDEQ, 1/13/21
The N.C. Department of
Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources (DWR) issued a Notice of
Violation and Intent to Enforce to DC Mills Farms, Inc. related to a December 21
animal waste lagoon failure. Due to the lagoon failure, DC Mills Farm released
an estimated one million gallons of untreated animal waste in Jones County. The notice describes the multiple violations
under General Permit AWG100000 including: failure to prevent the discharge of
animal waste to surface waters, failure to designate an Operator in Charge, and
failure to notify the public. The notice also lists several required
actions, including providing to DWR a plan of action for the repair of the
lagoon, designating an operator with a valid certification and issuing a press
release. DWR staff inspected DC Mills Farm and
determined the animal waste discharge originated from a hole that formed
allowing wastewater to exit approximately 100 feet southeast of the lagoon. The
animal waste flowed into Tuckahoe Creek, which feeds into the Trent
River. DWR continues to investigate the extent of the environmental
impact and the cause of the failure. Violations of state water quality
standards or other regulations will be subject to further enforcement. The Notice of Violation directs DC Mills
Farms, Inc. to provide its written response within 10 days. The information
provided by the permit holder will be reviewed and considered by division staff
before the agency determines whether to issue a civil penalty. A copy of the Notice is available here.
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