February 7, 2024

In an investigation conducted by BlackwaterReports, numerous violations and civil penalties against Currituck County’s Wastewater Treatment Plants have been uncovered. Specifically, Currituck’s two primary facilities, Moyock and Ocean Sands, have consistently violated North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) standards, as revealed by monthly reports and penalty notices sent directly to County Manager Ike McRee.

Documents and Records Related to this Report are available here and in our Reading Room

The gravity of these violations was exemplified in March 2023 when DEQ samples from the Moyock Plant indicated Nitrogen and Ammonia levels averaging 23 times higher than allowable parameters. For instance, one sample recorded Nitrogen levels at 52,000, significantly surpassing the permissible limit of 1,500. Additional samples taken on the same day reported similarly alarming figures, indicating a pattern of non-compliance that persisted through subsequent DEQ reports, including one issued in August 2023.

Moreover, these violations incur substantial financial burdens on county taxpayers. The Moyock Plant alone has accrued penalties exceeding 20,000 dollars, while the Ocean Sands facility faced fines exceeding 33,000 dollars in 2023. As the overseer of these operations, McRee bears responsibility to both the commissioners and citizens of Currituck for ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Today, February 7th, marks McRee’s 12th month as county manager, yet there appears to be no tangible improvement in meeting state-mandated parameters, highlighting ongoing challenges in wastewater management within Currituck County.