WQ0029346_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210505

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ECD8385-C786-419B-92B8-319B38EAE3B3
ROY COOPER
Governor
DIONNE DELLI-GATTI
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
May 5, 2021
Mr. Jim Pitts, President & General Manager
Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 1727
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Subject: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Blue Ridge Mountain Club, Wastewater Irrigation System
Permit No. WQ0029346
Watauga County
Dear Mr. Pitts,
On April 20, 2021, staff of the North Carolina Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem
Regional Office (DWR) performed a compliance inspection of the subject wastewater irrigation
system. This compliance inspection was conducted by DWR staff person Patrick Mitchell. The
majority of the inspection reflects compliance with the permit. However, the following
deficiencies warrant your attention and action:
1. At the time of inspection, two pumps serving the activated sludge system were not
functional. It should be noted that additional concerns related to non-compliance may be
related to the failure of these two pumps. Please repair or replace these pumps as soon
as possible and notify this office when they are returned to operation.
2. The effluent flow meter serving the subject system was not calibrated within the past 12
months as required in Permit Condition III.16. Please have this flow meter calibrated
as soon as possible and submit a copy of the resulting calibration records to this
office.
In addition to the deficiencies noted above, the following items of concern also require your
attention and action:
a. The daily flows through the wastewater treatment plant that are being reported are as high
as 10,000 gallons per day (GPD). This is 71% of the currently permitted limit of
14,000 GPD. As a reminder, once 80% capacity is reached, you will be required to submit
plans to the Division for meeting future wastewater treatment and disposal needs. It should
be noted that a substantial amount of ongoing new construction was observed in the
development. Please provide this office a written response that outlines how you plan
to address this issue with timeline as additional flows become tributary to this system.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
336.776.9800

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ECD8385-C786-419B-92B8-319B38EAE3B3
b. The final treated effluent observed in the chlorine contact tank was found to be turbid at
the time of inspection. The exact cause of the turbidity was unknown. However,
observations concerning solids management and removal from the treatment system were
made which could potentially be contributing (see attached inspection report). Please
evaluate solids management and make necessary changes.
c. During the inspection, a review of the sewer collection system serving the subject system
was conducted. The following items need to be addressed:
• The total number of high priority lines was unknown at the time of inspection. As
a reminder, 15A NCAC 02T .0403(a)(5) requires that all high -priority sewer lines
shall be inspected once every six months and these inspections shall be
documented. Please review the sewer collection system and identify all high -
priority sewer lines (i.e., aerial lines, lines contacting surface waters, siphons,
lines parallel to streambanks, and any others deemed). Please maintain a list
of the locations of high -priority lines at the facility.
• A map of the sewer collection system was not available at the time of inspection.
As a reminder, 15A NCAC 02T .0403(a)(2) requires that a map of the collection
system shall be developed and maintained at the facility. Please develop a map of
the collection system (if one does not already exist), showing all high -priority
lines as described above, and maintain a copy onsite at the facility.
• The audible alarm serving Pump Station #27 would not operate when tested during
the inspection. Onsite representatives indicted a new test switch was recently
installed. Please review this alarm and others to ensure proper operation.
• At the time of the inspection, it was unknown if there is a grease control program
serving this collection system. As a reminder, 15A NCAC 02T .0403(a)(8) requires
that a Grease Control Program shall be in place. This program should at minimum
provide bi-annual distribution of grease educational materials to users of the
collection system. Educational materials shall be distributed more often if
necessary, to prevent grease -related sewer overflows. Please institute a grease
control program (if one does not already exist) and maintain documentation
of compliance with requirements for a minimum of three years.
Our office appreciates your attention to the above listed items. Please take actions necessary to
address these items and provide the information and responses requested above to this office.
Failure to properly address these items and provide requested information may result in
enforcement actions, including issuance of a Notice of Violation. Please refer to the enclosed
compliance inspection report form for additional observations and comments.
Page 2 of 3

DocuSign Envelope ID: 3ECD8385-C786-419B-92B8-319B38EAE3B3
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Patrick Mitchell or me at the
letterhead address or phone number, or by email at [e-mail] or
lon. snider@ncdenr. gov.
Sincerely,
EDocuSigned by:C
—0A, l . �Jm1t.--
14 49 25C94EA
Lon . coder, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ — WSRO
enc: Compliance Inspection Report
cc: Dale Holman, ORC (Electronic: [e-mail])
Robert Barr, Backup ORC (Electronic: [e-mail])
Chris Wetmore, Community Manager (Electronic: [e-mail])
Patrick Warren, PE (Electronic: [e-mail])
Watauga County Environmental Health (Electronic)
Wilkes County Environmental Health (Electronic)
NCDEQ-DWR Laserfiche File WQ0029346
WSRO Electronic Files
Page 3 of 3

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0029346
SOC:
County: Watauga
Region: Winston-Salem
Effective: 10/22/19 Expiration:
Effective:
Expiration:
05/31/22 Owner : Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners
Assoication Inc
Contact Person: James R Pitts Title: President
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: WW3., SI,
Primary ORC: Danny D Holman
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021
Primary Inspector: Patrick Mitchell
Secondary Inspector(s):
Entry Time 10:30AM
Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club WWTP
555 Triplett Rd
Ferguson NC 28624
Phone: [phone]
Certification: 1003141 Phone: [phone]
Exit Time: 02:OOPM
Phone: [phone]
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 -Water
Use Records
▪ Record Keeping
▪ End Use -Irrigation
▪ Treatment Disinfection
▪ Storage
(See attachment summary)
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
▪ Treatment
▪ Treatment Activated Sludge
▪ Treatment Influent Pump Station
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement
▪ Standby Power
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Miscellaneous Questions
Treatment Barscreen
▪ Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment
▪ Treatment Clarifiers
▪ Treatment Return pumps
Page 1 of 9

Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Assoication Inc
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
On April 20, 2021, WSRO staff conducted an announced inspection of the subject facility. Mr. Dale Holman, ORC
accompanied staff on the inspection. The majority of the inspection reflected compliance. However, the deficiencies listed
below were noted during the inspection.
1. The two pumps that serve the anaerobic basin for the activated sludge were not functional at the time of the inspection. It
was indicated that these pumps were recently replaced. Request the pumps be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
2. The effluent flow meter serving the system had not been calibrated within the past 12 months. The last calibration was
completed February 2020. Request the meter be calibrated as soon as possible.
In addition to the deficiencies listed above, the following concerns were also noted during the inspection:
• The reported average daily influent flows are ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 GPD. The current permit limit is 14,000 GPD.
This is 50% to 71 % of the permitted flow. This is approaching the 80% capacity rate in which the Permittee is required to
submit plans for meeting future wastewater treatment and disposal needs. A significant amount of new construction was
observed inside the development which will be contributing additional flows. When asked about this during the inspection,
the ORC indicated that the facility's project engineer (Mr. Patrick Warren) is including the cost for installation of irrigation
zones #5 - #8 in the 2022 budget expand permitted daily design flow.
• The final treated effluent in the chlorine contact chamber was found to be turbid at the time of inspection. The cause of the
turbid effluent was unknown, and the ORC made no indication as reason. The observations noted below suggests that the
turbid effluent may be related to mismanagement of solids in the system.
- The two pumps serving the activated sludge system were out of operation (item #1 above).
- Sludge was bulking and appeared to have become anaerobic (very dark sludge) in the aeration basin of activated sludge.
Likely due to pumps out (item #1 above).
- No residuals removal records were available at the time of inspection. The ORC indicated that no residuals have been
removed within the last 12 months or more.
- The sludge storage basin was found to contain clear water with very little to no sludge present (see photos). It appears that
the EQ basin and the anaerobic -aerobic basins are full of solids. Proper wasting of solids needs to be evaluated.
FOLLOW-UP REQUIRED
- ORC was up top on the above ground package WWTP when staff arrived and there was a water hose present up top. There
could have been cleaning of the weirs and the surface of the clarifier just prior to inspection which could have contributed to
turbidity. The clarifier was free of visible surface sludge but no sludge judge was present to evaluate sludge depth. The weirs
and trough of the clarifier were found to be free of any sludge and no algae. Note- last inspection found some sludge bulking
on the surface of the clarifier, none observed this visit.
- There appeared to be a thin layer of sludge present in the effluent storage lagoon where the bottom could be observed (see
photos). A sludge survey of the lagoon should be required.
OTHER NOTES:
o When asked if any changes in operations, effluent quality, etc. following removal of the two vertical sand filters, the ORC
indicated "no changes noted, effluent continues to fluctuate same as before when filters were in use".
o All four drip zones were found to be operational at the time of the inspection. It should be noted that repairs were reportedly
completed prior to the inspection and zones #2 and #4 were experiencing high flow warnings prior to the repairs.
o The drip irrigation system has not been calibrated yet. Reminded due by 5/31/2022.
o The annual soils reports were not available at the time of inspection but were emailed same day following the inspection
The 2020 soil sampling results were reviewed subsequently and found to be satisfactory. The 2021 soil sampling has not
been conducted yet. CHECK NEXT VISIT.
o The floats on the influent pump station located between the bar screen and WWTP were reported as being recently
replaced.
Page 2 of 9

Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Assoication Inc
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
o Drip field #2 (zones 2A & 2B) was dosed and reviewed during this inspection and found to be operational with no leaks
observed.
Review of the collection system serving the subject facility:
- The total number of high priority lines was unknown, but there are some. The only one discussed during inspection is
located off Golden Rod to Nine Bark.
- Pump station #27 was reviewed and found to be compliant, except the audible alarm would not sound via the test button
(only the light worked). After review of pump station #64, the ORC indicated that new test buttons were installed inside the
control panel boxes on each pump station and he forgot that on #27. Request that pump station #27 be reviewed and
repaired if necessary. CHECK NEXT VISIT.
- Pump station #64 was also reviewed and found to be compliant. The "new test button" was found to be present and
functional to both the audible and visual alarms. There are a total of 10 pump stations serving the subject facility.
- The ORC did not have a copy of the collection system map. Request a copy be provided to the ORC to allow adequate
review and inspections.
- All pump stations have telemetry on them, and the inspection logs are maintained inside the control panel boxes at each
pump station.
- It was unknown if there is a grease control program which provides educational materials to users of the collection system.
Remind Permittee this is required.
***A FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION IS REQUIRED
Page 3 of 9

Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Assoication Inc
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
Single Family Spray, LR
Lagoon Spray, LR
Reuse (Quality)
Infiltration System
Recycle/Reuse
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
Single Family Drip
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
Treatment
Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit?
Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.)
Comment: Activated sludge system has two pumps not working. See summary.
Treatment Influent Pump Station
Is the pump station free of bypass lines or structures?
Is the general housekeeping acceptable?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are floats/controls operable?
Are audio and visual alarms available?
Are audio and visual alarms operational?
# Are SCADA/Telemetry alarms required?
Are SCADA/Telemetry available?
Are SCADA/Telemetry operational?
Comment: See summary.
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?
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
Page 4 of 9

Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Assoication Inc
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is water use metered?
Are the daily average values properly calculated?
Comment:
Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
Is flowmeter operating properly?
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
Does flowmeter record flow?
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately?
Comment: Not calibrated within last 12 months. See summary.
Standby Power
Is automatically activated standby power available?
Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source?
Is generator operable?
Does generator have adequate fuel?
Comment:
Treatment Barscreen
Is it free of excessive debris?
Is disposal of screenings in compliance?
Are the bars spaced properly?
Is the unit in good condition?
Comment:
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Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
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II El El El
Yes No NA NE
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Treatment Activated Sludge Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration mechanism operable? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Is the aeration basin thoroughly mixed? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Is the aeration equipment easily accessed? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is Dissolved Oxygen adequate? ❑ El El •
Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ •
Is activated sludge an acceptable color? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Comment: Two pumps not working, sludge very dark, high solids content. See summary.
Treatment Clarifiers
Are the weirs level?
Are the weirs free of solids and algae?
Is the scum removal system operational?
Is the scum removal system accessible?
Yes No NA NE
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Page 5 of 9

Permit: WO0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Assoication Inc
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level?
Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids?
Comment: No sludge judge present to review sludge blanket.
Treatment Return pumps
Are they in place?
Are they operational?
Comment:
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Yes No NA NE
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Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE
Is the aeration operational? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Is the aeration pattern even? ❑ El • El
If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? ❑ El • ❑
Comment: Sludge storage nearly empty with clear water and very little or no sludge present. See summary.
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? ❑ El • ❑
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable? ❑ El • ❑
Is the chlorinator accessible? • ❑ ❑ ❑
If tablets, are tablets present? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Is contact chamber free of sludge, solids, and growth? • ❑ ❑ ❑
If UV, are extra UV bulbs available? ❑ El • ❑
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate? ❑ El • ❑
# Is it a dual feed system? ❑ El • ❑
Does the Stationary Source have more than 2500 Ibs of Chlorine (CAS No. 7782-50-5)? ❑ ❑ • ❑
If yes, then is there a Risk Management Plan on site? ❑ ❑ • ❑
If yes, then what is the EPA twelve digit ID Number? (1000-
If yes, then when was the RMP last updated?
Comment: Effluent turbid at time of inspection. See summary.
Record Keeping
Is a copy of current permit available?
Are monitoring reports present: NDMR?
NDAR?
Yes No NA NE
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Page 6 of 9

Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Assoication Inc
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
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?
Are there any 2L GW quality violations?
Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility?
Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW?
Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards?
Are annual soil reports available?
# Are PAN records required?
# 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?
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: See summary.
End Use -Irrigation
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?
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Page 7 of 9

Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Assoication Inc
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
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?
Comment: See summary.
STORAGE POND -
Storage
Storage Type?
Storage amount?
# At what point is side -stream wastewater returned to treatment?
Is there a Spill Control Plan?
Aerated or Mixed?
If aeration is present, is it adequate?
If present, are diffusers cleaned regularly?
Is influent structure acceptable?
Are banks/berms free of seepage and erosion?
Are banks/berms free of excessive vegetation?
Is pond lined?
Liner Type
Is liner acceptable?
Are baffles/curtains acceptable?
Does the pond have a freeboard marker?
Required freeboard?
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Yes No NA NE
Pond
Gallons
985500
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NONE
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Full, synthetic
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2
Feet
Actual freeboard? 4
Is there suitable grassed vegetation?
Is the vegetation maintained?
Is the area free of excessive weeds and/or woody species?
Is the area free from signs of overflow?
Is color acceptable?
Are floating mats acceptable?
No excessive buildup of solids?
Feet
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Page 8 of 9

Permit: WO0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Assoication Inc
Inspection Date: 04/20/2021 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Are aerators/mixers acceptable?
Is effluent structure acceptable?
If present, is pond cover acceptable?
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Comment: Some duck weed present and a thin layer of sludge was seen where the bottom could be
observed. See summary.
Page 9 of 9