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Schenone Specialty Foods, Inc. <br /> 18819 E. Hwy 88 <br /> `J`HE OESg EeV S ' PO Box 730 <br /> Clements, CA 95227 <br /> Phn: (209) 759-3340 Fax: (209) 759-3350 <br /> Email: ernie@gourmetchocolate.com <br /> Website: gourmetchocolate.com <br /> 05 May 2009 <br /> Ms. Mary Serra <br /> California Regional Water Quality Control Board <br /> Central Valley Region <br /> 11020 Sun Center Drive #200 <br /> Rancho Cordova, California 95670-6114 <br /> Subject: Schenone Specialty Foods, Inc. <br /> Chocoholics Divine Deserts, Clements, CA <br /> WDR Order No. R5-2004-0034 <br /> Dear Ms. Serra <br /> We operate a small chocolate factory with wastewater flows on the order of 600 to 1000 <br /> gallons per day. We have a multiple tank passive grease/septic treatment system followed by <br /> pressure dosed leach fields and seepage pits. We are currently regulated under order number <br /> R5-2004-0034. <br /> Our-original system designer did not measure BOD from our previous facility nor <br /> incorporate aerobic BOD reduction in our system. Because of this we have generally been <br /> unable to meet the BOD discharge limit of 400 mg/L in our permit. We have been unable to <br /> get our system in compliance with cooperation of the designer. Because of these difficulties, <br /> we have had to resort to seeking a resolution with the designer on this issue through the court <br /> system and legal negotiations. We had expected resolution of this in October of 2008, but the <br /> trial date was delayed. The next hearing date is set for July 2. I understand that the legal <br /> issues of our system is not relevant to compliance with our WDR, and I mention it in this <br /> letter only to illustrate the seriousness and commitment we have made in attempting to <br /> comply with the order. <br /> In order to meet compliance we would like to press forward with the installation of a biofilter <br /> system to further treat our wastewater BOD to levels typical of those found in a residential <br /> system. We would like to install a system sufficient to not only satisfy our current BOD limit <br /> oC400 mg/L, but to reduce effluent BOD concentrations reliably below typical domestic <br /> septic tank effluent strength of 150 mg/L. The reason for meeting a stricter limit would beto <br /> enable the Regional Water Board to allow regulatory oversight for the system to return to <br />