WQ0035049_CEI Report_7-15-20

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0035049 Effective: 04/19/16 Expiration: 03/31/21 Owner: Pender County
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Maple Hill WWTF
County: Pender 306 Maple Hill School Rd
Region: Wilmington
Maple Hill NC 28454
Contact Person: Amy E Cox
Title: Utilities Analyst
Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
Head southeast on NC Hwy 50 from intersection of Hwy 50 and NC Hwy 53. Turn left onto Maple Hill School Road, facility entrance
is on right after a blueberry farm and before post office/community building on the left.
System Classifications: SI, WW2,
Primary ORC: Christopher Kane Pickett
Certification: 995931
Phone: [phone]
Secondary ORC(s):
Kenneth Paul Keel
1007990
910-259-0212
Salvatore Speziale
12843
910-259-1570
James Richard Proctor
29132
910-259-1327
On -Site Representative(s):
On -site representative
Anthony Colon
910-259-1570
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 07/15/2020 Entry Time 01:OOPM Exit Time: 03:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Tyler G Benson Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Helen I Perez
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Permit Inspection Type: Wastewater Irrigation
Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Treatment Record Keeping
Use Records
Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment End Use -Irrigation
Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection Treatment Flow Measurement
Standby Power
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 6

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner - Facility: Pender County
Inspection Date: 07/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
A compliance inspection of the Maple Hill WWTF was conducted on July 15, 2020 for the permit renewal process. The
ORCs for both classifications of WW-2 and SI, Chris Picket and James Proctor, along with the Pender County Assistant
Public Utilities Director, Anthony Colon, were present. The treatment facility is no longer using dog food as an additional
carbon source. The second rotating mixer was not working at the time due to a gear going out, however, the part is on -site
for the maintenance technician who has been unavailable due to Covid-19. In total, the treatment facility is well maintained
and receives on average approximately 8,000 GPD of flow.
Some issues that need to be addressed:
1. The freeboard gauge in the storage lagoon has not been reinstalled. Staff note some attempts, however, this needs to be
done as soon as possible.
2. The cover crop in the irrigation fields needs to be maintained as soon as the mowing equipment becomes available for
use.
3. Operation and maintenance logs need to have more signed events on the activities conducted at the facility. For
example, changing the UV bulbs in the disinfection system, ORC signing daily site visits, times of generator load testing
with runtime and pass/fail results, cleaning the rotating mixers in the treatment system, testing the high-level floats in the
EQ basins.
4. Groundwater monitoring samples need to include the parameter of Phosphorus, Total (as P)
Page 2 of 6

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner - Facility: Pender County
Inspection Date: 07/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Yes No NA NE
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
❑
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
❑
Infiltration System
❑
Lagoon Spray, LR
❑
Single Family Spray, LR
❑
Reuse (Quality)
❑
Single Family Drip
❑
Recycle/Reuse
❑
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
Treatment Yes No NA NE
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) ❑ 0 ❑ ❑
Comment: One of the two aeration basins were not operating at the time as a gear has gone out on the
rotating mixer. Parts are on -site and ready to be installed by the maintenace technician who has
been unavailble due to Covid-19.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
Is flowmeter operating properly?
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
Does flowmeter record flow?
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Annual calibration done by Glover I&C Inc (John Glover) on June 25. 2020. True flow
approximately 1 %.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records Yes No NA NE
Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Yes No NA NE
Is flowmeter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: There was no flow to be measured at the time of inspection.
Page 3 of 6

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner - Facility: Pender County
Inspection Date: 07/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Standby Power Yes No NA NE
Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The generator is tested automatically on Sundays and Mondays of every week. Results are
telemtry sent to Operator's mobile phone, indicating time of testing and pass/fail results. This
data needs to be recorded in the maintenance log.
Treatment Activated Sludge Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration mechanism operable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is activated sludge an acceptable color? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: This process includes both rotating mixers (fixed film) and activated sludge. The rotating mixers
do get cleaned frequently due to algae growth.
Treatment Clarifiers
Yes No NA NE
Are the weirs level?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are the weirs free of solids and algae?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system operational?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the scum removal system accessible?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids?
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the aeration pattern even? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Treatment Disinfection
Yes No NA NE
Is the system working?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do the fecal coliform results indicate proper disinfection?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is there adequate detention time (-30 minutes)?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the system properly maintained?
❑ ❑ ❑
If gas, does the cylinder storage appear safe?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Page 4 of 6

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner - Facility: Pender County
Inspection Date: 07/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is the chlorinator accessible?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
If tablets, are tablets present?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
If UV, are extra UV bulbs available?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Is it a dual feed system?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000- - )
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: Maintenance done on the UV system should be recorded in the maintenance log.
Record Keeping
Yes No NA NE
Is a copy of current permit available?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
NDAR?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are flow rates less than of permitted flow?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are application rates adhered to?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is GW monitoring being conducted, if required (GW-59s submitted)?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters?
❑0
❑ ❑
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
❑0
❑ ❑
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
❑
❑ ❑
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
❑0
❑ ❑
Are annual soil reports available?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Are PAN records required?
❑0
❑ ❑
# Did last soil report indicate a need for lime?
❑
❑ ❑
If so, has it been applied?
❑
❑ ❑
Are operational logs present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are lab sheets available for review?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR?
❑ ❑ ❑
Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are Operational and Maintenance records present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Were Operational and Maintenance records complete?
❑0
❑ ❑
Page 5 of 6

Permit: WQ0035049 Owner - Facility: Pender County
Inspection Date: 07/15/2020 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine
Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months?
Is a copy of the SOC readily available?
No treatment units bypassed since last inspection?
Comment: Needs to be more signed event logs in the Operational and Maintenance records including
operational functions and maintenance activities conducted at the facility.
End Use -Irrigation
Yes No NA NE
Are buffers adequate?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the cover crop type specified in permit?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the crop cover acceptable?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the site condition adequate?
❑
❑ ❑
Is the site free of runoff / ponding?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the acreage specified in the permit being utilized?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the application equipment present?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the application equipment operational?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the disposal field free of limiting slopes?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is access restricted and/or signs posted during active site use?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within the CB?
❑
❑ ❑
Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB?
❑
❑ ❑
How close is the closest water supply well?
❑
❑ ❑
Is municipal water available in the area?
❑
❑ ❑
# Info only: Does the permit call for monitoring wells?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval?
❑
❑ ❑
Are monitoring wells damaged?
❑
0 ❑ ❑
Comment: Due to mechanical issues of mower equipment, the cover crop is not maintained very well.
However, rental equipment (bush hog) is expected to arrive for use until funding
is available to
purchase new mowing equipment in order to maintain the cover crop.
Page 6 of 6