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Home My WebLink AboutNC0030473_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20190912�ry 44, NORTH CAROLINA ROY COOPER EnNlmnmrrtfnlQuality Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER Director CERTIFIED MAIL 7017-1450-0001-6450-4700 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED September 10, 2019 Ms. Penny Hodge Mill Ridge Property Owners' Association 229 Clubhouse Drive Banner Elk, NC 28604 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection and Notice of Deficiency NOD Tracking Number: NOD-2019-PC-0200 Mill Ridge Development WWTP NPDES Permit No. NCO030473 Watauga County Dear Ms. Hodge, On August 29, 2019, Kelli Park and Mike Turner, of this office, met with Brandon Hughes, Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection at the Mill Ridge Development wastewater treatment plant. This type of inspection consists of two basic parts: an in -office file review and an on -site inspection of the treatment facility. The attached EPA inspection form details the areas that were evaluated during this inspection. Deficiencies noted during the inspection are outlined below: 1) The ultraviolet radiation system was not operational at the time of inspection. Please get the system repaired immediately. Once the repair is completed please contact Ms. Park. If you have any questions regarding the inspection or this report, please contact Kelli Park or me at (336) 776-9800 or by email at kelli.park(a)_ncdenr.gov or lon.snider(j�ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: J� T SMdcr 1451349E225C94EA... Lon Snider Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Division of Water Resources Attachments: EPA Water Compliance Inspection Report cc: WSRO United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved. EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report Approval expires 8-31-98 Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS) Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 IN I 2 IF I 3 I NCO030473 111 12 I 19/08/29 I17 18 I S J 19 L G] 201 I 211111 I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I f6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 671 70 I I 71 I I 72 I r I 73 I I 174 751 I I I I I I I80 u I� I I i Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES oermit Number) 11:00AM 19/08/29 18/01/01 Mill Ridge Development WWTP NC Hwy 105 Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Banner Elk NC 28604 11:45AM 19/08/29 22/09/30 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Brandon K Hughes/ORC/828-260-5213/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Penny D Hodge,229 Clubhouse Dr Banner Elk NC 28604/Business Manager/828-963-4900/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance 0 Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Program 0 Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) (See attachment summary) Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s) Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Kelli A Park WSRO WQ//336-776-9689/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Docusigned by: Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Luti ? Snider 9/11/2019 EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO030473 I11 121 19/08/29 117 18 JCJ Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On August 29, 2019, Kelli Park and Mike Turner, of this office, met with Brandon Hughes, Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), to perform a Compliance Evaluation Inspection at the Mill Ridge Development wastewater treatment plant. This type of inspection consists of two basic parts: an in -office file review and an on -site inspection of the treatment facility. The attached EPA inspection form details the areas that were evaluated during this inspection. Deficiencies noted during the inspection are outlined below: 1) The ultraviolet radiation system was not operational at the time of inspection. Please get the system repaired immediately. Once the repair is completed please contact Ms. Park. If you have any questions regarding the inspection or this report, please contact Kelli Park or me at (336) 776-9800 or by email at kelli.park@ncdenr.gov or lon.snider@ncdenr.gov. Page# Permit: NCO030473 Owner - Facility: Mill Ridge Development WWTP Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ application? Is the facility as described in the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑ Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is all required information readily available, complete and current? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the chain -of -custody complete? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Dates, times and location of sampling Name of individual performing the sampling Results of analysis and calibration Dates of analysis Name of person performing analyses Transported COCs Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? ❑ ❑ ❑ Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? ❑ ❑ ❑ (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator ❑ ❑ ❑ on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 3 Permit: NCO030473 Owner - Facility: Mill Ridge Development WWTP Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical ❑ Are the bars adequately screening debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Debris are removed, out in a bucket to dry, bagged, and disposed of at a landfill. Equalization Basins Yes No NA NE Is the basin aerated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the basin free of excessive grease? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are audible and visual alarms operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is basin size/volume adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 2 pumps in the basin Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are surface aerators and mixers operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the diffusers operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the DO level acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCO030473 Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Owner - Facility: Mill Ridge Development WWTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: DO is reported to be aroud 3.5 mg/L. ORC says the plant runs best at this level. Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of weir blockage? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is scum removal adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the drive unit operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? E ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/ of the sidewall depth) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: There was pin floc suspended in the clarifier, trace amounts were petting over the weirs. Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are UV bulbs clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is UV intensity adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is transmittance at or above designed level? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there a backup system on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent clear and free of solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The UV system was down at the time of insDection. The ORC reported that about a week before the inspection date a wire had caught on fire, and that he has a work order for it to be fixed as soon as possible. Chlorine tablets are being used until the system is repaired. Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? X ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NCO030473 Owner - Facility: Mill Ridge Development WWTP Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Tablets are being put in the wiers De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Tablet Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 0 Comment: Tablets are being put in the holding tank before the UV system Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: There were trace amounts of pin floc in the effluent. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the tubing clean? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flow meter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NC0030473 Owner - Facility: Mill Ridge Development WWTP Inspection Date: 08/29/2019 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is the flow meter operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, and E ❑ ❑ ❑ sampling location)? Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? S ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator fuel level monitored? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Page# 7