EPA v. LYNCH, KY, CITY OF (LYNCH WWTP)

Case summary

9/28/12 - ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON CONSENT ISSUED. ALLEGATIONS: ON SEPT 21, 2011, EPA CONDUCTED A COMPLIANCE EVALUATION INPSECTION REPORT (CEI) OF THE WWTP TO EVALUATE LYNCH'S COMPLIANCE SWITH THE NPDES PERMIT AND THE CWA. THE CEI IDENTIFIED VIOLATIONS RELATED TO THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS FOR COLLECTION AND TREATMENT, AND INCLUDED DEBRIS FROM THE CHLORINE CONTACT CHAMBER, BROKEN PIPES AND FAULTY VALVES, OVERGROWTH FROM SLUDGE DRYING BEDS, AND LACK OF DOCUMENTATION OF BUFFERS USED AND FLOW RECORDS. ON JUNE 12, 2012, EPA SENT A LETTER OF CONCERN TO LYNCH REGARDING DEFICIENCIES IDENTIFIED DURING THE INSPECTION. THE LOC LETTER OUTLINED THE DEFICIENCIES IDENTIFIED IN THE CEI AND REQUESTED INFORMATION ON CORRECTIVE ACTIONS PLANNED OR TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE DEFICIENCIES. THE LOC LETTER ALSO INCLUDED A SCHEDULE FOR ACTIONS PLANNED. THEREFORE, LYNCH HAS FAILED TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE WWTP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NPDES PERMIT. THEREFORE, EPA HAS DETERMINED THAT LYNCH HAS VIOLATED CWA 301(a) AND THE NPDES PERMIT BY FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF ITS PERMIT. ORDER REQUIRES: A. WITHIN 30 DAYS, LYNCH SHALL PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION TO THE EPA THAT ALL SLUDGE DEBRIS HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CHLORINE CONTACT CHAMBER. B. WITHIN 15 DAYS, LYNCH SHALL PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION SHOWING THE BUFFERS UTILIZED ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF THE DISSOLVED OXYGEN METER CALIBRATION LOGS. C. WITHIN 30 DAYS, LYNCH SHALL SUBMIT TO EPA DOCUMENTATION THAT SHOWS FLOW TOTALIZER CHARTS AND LOG RECORDS WERE MAINTAINED. THE RECORDS SUBMITTED SHALL COVER THE MOST RECENT 6 MONTHS OF MONITORING. D. WITHIN 30 DAYS, LYNCH SHALL PROPERLY CALIBRATE ITS FLOW METER AND PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION TO EPA WITHIN 15 DAYS OF CALIBRATION. E. WITHIN 90 DAYS, LYNCH SHALL REMOVE THE OVER GROWTH FROM THE SLUDGE DRYING BEDS SO THAT HTE UNIT IS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. F. WITHIN 90 DAYS, LYNCH SHALL REPLACE BROKEN PIPES AND FAULTY VALVES IN THE SLUDGE DIGESTER SO THAT THE UNIT AND FLOATING COVER IS OPERABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS.

Defendants (1)

• LYNCH, KY, CITY OFNamed in settlement

Facilities (4)

• LYNCH STP

  217 E MAIN ST, LYNCH, KY, 40855

  Registry ID: 110009960024

• LYNCH STP

  217 E MAIN ST, LYNCH, KY, 40855

  Registry ID: 110009960024

• LYNCH STP

  217 E MAIN ST, LYNCH, KY, 40855

  Registry ID: 110009960024

• LYNCH STP

  217 E MAIN ST, LYNCH, KY, 40855

  Registry ID: 110009960024

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• LYNCH, KY, CITY OF (LYNCH WWTP)entered 2012-09-28

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2012-09-28Final Order Issued
• 2012-09-29Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2013-01-01Enforcement Action Closed
• 2013-01-01NPDES Closed