Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
DNREC issues penalty notice to YMG Corporation
of Rehoboth for wastewater treatment violations
DOVER (Feb. 18, 2011) – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin P. O’Mara has issued a Notice of Administrative Penalty Assessment and Secretary’s Order to YMG Corporation for violations of regulations governing the land treatment of wastes and State of Delaware operational and repair permits. The penalty order totals $233,818, which includes reimbursement to DNREC for expenses associated with its investigation.
YMG Corporation operates The Plantations Wastewater Treatment and Spray Irrigation Facility in Rehoboth Beach. This facility is designed to treat domestic wastewater from the Plantations development and spray irrigate the treated effluent on adjacent parcels of land. On March 2, 2006, DNRECs Ground Water Protection Branch (GWPB) performed a hydrogeological review of the facility. The report from that review identified elevated nitrate concentrations in several of the facility’s monitoring wells. The report further recommended an evaluation of the facility’s aerated lagoon and, if found to be leaking, that the lagoon be repaired by installing a synthetic liner in it.
From then until March, 2009, DNREC made numerous attempts to obtain YMG’s voluntary compliance in this matter pursuant to 7 Del. C. § 6019 and eventually issued a repair permit to YMG on April 6, 2009. The permit, which authorized YMG to install the synthetic liner, expired a year later without completion of the required repairs.
On August 3, 2010, DNREC issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to YMG for elevated nitrate concentrations in several monitoring wells and for the failure to complete required repairs on the aerated lagoon. The NOV contained specific compliance requirements, which YMG has not yet met, meaning the violations are still outstanding.
YMG Corporation has 30 days to request a public hearing.
To view the penalty order, go to: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/Pages/SecOrders.aspx
Vol. 41, No. 53
