Document 99Emz8ndZb27rYaYNo411zmDD
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION6
1201 ELM STREET, SUITE 500 DALLAS, TEXAS 75270-2102
May 31, 2022
TRANSMITTED VIA E-MAIL
The Honorable Cathy Skurow Mayor ofPortland 1900 Billy G. Web Portland, Texas 78374 cathy.skurow@portlandtx.gov
Re: Administrative Order; Docket Number: CWA-06-2022- 178l City ofPortland Wastewater Treatment Facility TPDES Permit Number: TX0055433
Dear Mayor Skurow:
Enclosed is an Administrative Order (AO) issued to City ofPortland for violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. 1251-138). Violations were identified during a review of the permit file and discharge monitoring reports submitted for the City of Portland Wastewater Treatment Facility. The violations alleged are for failure to meet permit effluent limitations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests that you immediately confirm receipt of this e-mail and the attached order by a response e-mail to edelbrock.judy@epa.gov.
This AO does not assess a monetary penalty; however, it does require compliance with applicable federal regulations. The first compliance deadline is within thirty days of the effective date of the AO. EPA is committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and my staff will assist you in any way possible. Please reference AO Docket Number CWA-06-2022-178 1 and TPDES Permit Number TX0055433 on your response.
EPA acknowledges that the COVID- 19 pandemic may impact your city. If this is the case, please contact us regarding any specific issues you need to discuss. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Judy Edelbrock of my staff, at (214) 665-8582 or edelbrock.judy@epa.gov.
Sincerely,
Digitally signed by CHERYL
~j 1A,J_ ,g .,,{.,..__...,.,..___ SEAGER
~--o -~o
0atc:2022.os.31 16:S3:53
-05'00'
Cheryl T. Seager, Director
Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance Division
Enclosure(s)
ec: kristy.dcavers@tceg.tcxas.gov
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Region 6 1201 Elm St. Suite 500 Dallas, TX 75270-2102 FINDINGS OF VIOLATION AND COMPLIANCE ORDER
Docket Number: CWA-06-2022-1781 TPDES Permit Number: TX0055433
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The following findings are made and Order issued under the authority vested in the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Section 309(a) of the Clean Water Act (the Act), 33 U.S.C. 1319(a). The Administrator ofEPA delegated the authority to issue this Order to the Regional Administrator of EPA Region 6, who delegated this authority to the Director ofthe Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division.
FINDINGS
7. Section 402 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1342, authorizes states to request approval from EPA to administer their own permit programs for discharges into navigable waters within their jurisdiction. Pursuant to this provision, the State of Texas requested approval from EPA to administer its own permit program for discharges into navigable waters within Texas, and such approval was granted by EPA on September. l4, I998. Therefore, pursuant to the State's permit program, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issues Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permits. Violation of a TPDES permit is a violation of Section 30 l(a) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 13 1l(a).
1. City of Portland (Respondent) is a "person,'' as that term is de fined at Section 502(5) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1362(5), and 40 C.F.R. 122.2.
2. At all times relevant to this Order (all relevant times), Respondent owned or operated the City of Portland Wastewater Treatment Facility located at 1095 Moore Avenue, Portland, Sao Patricio County, Texas 78374, and was, therefore, an "owner or operator" within the meaning of40 C .F.R. 122.2 .
3. At all relevant times, the faci lity acted as a " point source" of a "discharge" of "pollutants" with its final wastewater discharge to Nueces Bay in Segment No. 2482 of the Bays and Estuaries, which is a "water of the United States" within the meaning of Section 502 ofthe Act, 33 U.S.C. 1362, and 40 C .F.R. 122.2.
4. Because Respondent owned or operated a facility that acted as a point source of discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States, Respondent and the faci lity were subject to the Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.
5. Under Section 301 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 13 11, it is unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant from a point source to waters of the United States, except with the authorization of, and in compliance with, an NPDES permit issued pursuant to Section 402 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1342.
6. Section 402(a) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. I342(a), provides that the Administrator of EPA may issue permits under the NPDES program for the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters ofthe United States. Any such discharge is subject to the specific terms and conditions prescribed in the applicable permit.
8. Respondent applied for and was issued TPDES Permit No. TX0055433 (permit) under Section 402 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1342, which was issued on September 4, 20 I5. At all relevant times, Respondent was authorized to discharge pollutants from the facility to waters ofthe United States only in compliance with the specific terms and conditions ofthe permit.
9. The permit includes "Monitoring and Reporting Requirements" that require Respondent to sample and test its effluent and monitor its compliance with permit conditions according to specific procedures, in order to determine the facility's compliance or noncompliance with the permit and applicable regulations. The permit also requires Respondent to file with TCEQ certified Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) of the results of monitoring and Noncompliance Reports when appropriate.
I0. The permit contains "Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements" that place certain limitations on the quality and quantity of effluent discharged by Respondent The relevant discharge limitations are specified in Attachment A, which is incorporated herein by reference.
11. Certifi ed DMRs filed by Respondent with TCEQ pursuant to the permit show discharges of pollutants from the fac ility that exceed the permitted effluent limitations established in the permit, as specified in Attachment B, which is incorporated here in by reference.
12. Each instance in which Respondent discharged pollutants to waters of the United States in amounts exceeding the efl1uent limitations contained in the permit was a violation of the permit and Section 301 of the Act, 33 U_.S.C. 13 I l.
Docket No. CWA-06-2022-1781 Page2
SECTION 309(a)(3) COMPLIANCE ORDER
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Based on the foregoing Findings and pursuant to the
Respondent may seek federal judicial review of the Order
authority of Section 309(a)(3) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. pursuant lo Chapter 7 of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5
l319(a)(3), EPA hereby orders Respondent to take the U.S.C. 701-706.
following action:
A. Take such measures as are necessary to comply with all permit conditions, including Effiuent Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements, no later than thirty (30) days from the effective date of the Order.
B. Within thirty (30) days ofthe effective date ofthis Order, Respondent shall submit a list of the specific actions taken to correct the Total Suspended Solids, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (5-day), Flow and Enterococci violations.
C. Within thirty (30) days ofthe effective date ofthis Order, Respondent shall provide written certification to EPA Region 6 that the v iolations cited herein have been corrected and the facility is compliant with the requirements of the permit.
D. lo the-event the Respondent believes complete correction of the violations cited herein is not possible within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Order, Respondent shall, within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Order, submit a comprehensive written plan for the elimination of the cited violations within the shortest possible time. Such plan sbalJ describe in detail the specific corrective actions to be taken and why such actions arc sufficient to correct the violations. The plan shall include a detailed schedule for tl1e elimination of the violations within the shortest possible time, as well as measures to prevent these or similar violations from recurring.
Issuance of this Section 309(a)(3) Compliance Order shall not be deemed an election by EPA to waive any administrative, judicial, civil or criminal action to seek penalties, fines or other relief under the Act for the violations cited herein, or other violations that become known to EPA. EPA reserves the right to seek any remedy available under the law that it deems appropriate.
Failure to comply with this Section 309(a)(3) Compliance Order or the Act may result in further administrative action, or a civil judicial action initiated by the United States Department of Justice.
This Order does not constitute a waiver or modification of the terms or conditions of Respondent's NPDES pennit, which remain in full force and effect. Compliance with the tenns and conditions of this Order does not relieve Respondent of its obligation to comply with any applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation.
The effective date of this Order is the date it is received by Respondent.
May 31, 2022
Date
,9 _,{,_.,.~ Digitally signed by CHERYL
E. Any information or correspondence submitted by /11-u.,J... -~ l )
SEAGER
- --o
Date: 20220531 16:52:21 -05'00"
Respondent to EPA under this Order shall be addressed to the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
following:
Ms. Judy Edelbrock Water Enforcement Branch (ECDWA) U.S . EPA, Region 6 1201 Elm St. Suite 500 Dallas, TX 75270-2102 and edelbrock.judy@epa.gov
Cheryl T. Seager, Director Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance Division
Attachment A TX0055433
Effluent Limits
F rtl Ul'nt Characteristics
Discharge Limitations
Outfall 001 Total Suspended Solids
Daily Avg mg/L (lbs/day)
20 (417)
Daily Max mg/L 45
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
20 (417)
45
(5-day)
Enterococci
14 CFU or MPN/ 100 ml
35 CFU or MPN/ 100 ml
The annual average flow of effluent shall not exceed 2.5 million gallons per day (MGD), nor shall the average discharge during any two-hour period (2-hour peak) exceed 5,208 gallon per minute (gpm).
Attachment 8- Effluent Violations
TX0055433
PORTLAND, CITY OF
01/31/2020 001 01/31/2020 001 02/29/2020 001 02/29/2020 001 03/31/2020 001 03/31/2020 001 04/30/2020 001 04/30/2020 001 04/30/2020 001 04/30/2020 001 05/31/2020 001 05/3112020 001 05/31/2020 001 06/30/2020 001 06/30/2020 001 07/31/2020 001 07/31/2020 001 08/31/2020 001 08/31/2020 001 09/30/2020 001 09/30/2020 001 10/31/2020 001 11/30/2020 001 11/3012020 001 12/31/2020 001 12/31/2020 001 01/31/2021 001 01/3112021 001 02/28/2021 001 02/28/2021 001
Parameter
Monitoring
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY MX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
BOD. 5-day. 20 deg. C DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Solids. total suspended DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Solids, total suspended DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Flow, in conduit or thru trea 2HR PEAK
Enterococci
DAJLYAV
Enterococci
OAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX.
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY MX
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
OAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY MX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
OAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
OAILYMX
Unit
Limit Value
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
mg/L 20.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/ 10 35.
mg/L 20.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
mg/L 20.
CFU/10 35.
gaVmin 5208.
CFU/1 0 14.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
CFU/10 14.
CFU/10 35.
DMR Value
Reported Number of Excursions
48.54 3
2419.6 3
596.02 5
2419.6 5
184.52 6
993.2 6
22.2
782.78 5
2419.6 5
21 .5
265.71 4
2419.6 4
25.8
118.7
5852.
45.64 3
931.3 3
46.58 4
66.8 4
259.15 5
2419.6 5
249.3 2
14825 5
2419.6 5
25.78 3
145.7 3
49.37 3
2419.6 3
154.43 3
2419.6 3
03/31/2021 001 03/31/2021 001 04130/2021 001 04/30/2021 001 04/30/2021 001 05/31/2021 001 05/31/2021 001 05/31/2021 001 05/31/2021 001 05/31/2021 001 06/30/2021 001 06/30/2021 001 06/30/2021 001 06/30/2021 001 06/30/2021 001 07/31/2021 001 07/31/2021 001 07/31/2021 001 07/31/2021 001 08/31/2021 001 08/31/2021 001 08/31/2021 001 08/31/2021 001 08/31/2021 001 09130/2021 001 09/30/2021 001 10/31/2021 001 10/31/2021 001 10/31/2021 001 11/30/2021 001 11/30/2021 001 12/31/2021 001 12/31/2021 001 01/31/2022 001 01/31/2022 001 02/28/2022 001 02/28/2022 001 02128/2022 001 02128/2022 001 02128/2022 001
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
BOD, 5-day, 20 deg. C DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
BOD, 5-day, 20 deg. C DAILY AV
BOD, 5-day, 20 deg. C DAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Flow, in conduit or thru trea 2HR PEAK
BOD, 5-day, 20 deg. C DAILY AV
BOD; 5-day, 20deg. C DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Solids, total suspended DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Flow, in conduit or thru trea 2HR PEAK
Solids, total suspended DAILY AV
BOD, 5-day, 20 deg. C DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Solids, total suspended DAILY AV
Solids, total suspended DAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
'Enterococci
DAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Flow. in conduit or thru trea 2HR PEAK
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Enterococci
DAILY AV
Enterococci
DAILYMX
Solids. total suspended DAILY AV
Solids, total suspended DAILY AV
Solids, total suspended DAILYMX
CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. mg/L 20. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 ,3 5. mg/L 20. mg/L 45. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. gaVmin 5208. Ibid 417. mg/L 20. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. mg/L 20. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. gaVmin 5208. Ibid 417. mg/L 20. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. mg/L 20. mg/L 45. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. gaVmin 5208. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. Ibid 417. mg/L 20. mg/L 45.
315.44 4
2419.6 4
25.4
2135.4 5
2419.6 5
20.8
52
114.98 5
361.3 5
6972.
422.8 2
27.7 2
43.7 4
410.6 4
21.4
128.66 4
2419.6 4
5637.
417.8
25.6
231 .76 5
613.7 5
20.2
62.
1
117.81 5
299.3 5
129.43 4
223.6 4
5744.
132.38 4
244.9 4
257.96 6
923.4 6
48584. 5
2419.6 5
330.68 4
2419.6 4
467.9 5
37.2 5
76.
5
03/31/2022 001 03/31/2022 001 03/31/2022 001 03/31/2022 001
Enterococci Enterococci Solids, total suspended Solids. total sus~nded
DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY MX
CFU/10 14. CFU/10 35. mg/L 20. mg/L 45.
215.75 5 2419.6 5 22.9 47.