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Home My WebLink AboutNC0020621_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20210517ROY COOPER Governor DIONNE DELLI-GATTI Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director Town of Boone Attn: John A. Ward, III, Town Manager P.O. Box 192 Boone, NC 28607 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality May 18, 2021 SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Jimmy Smith WWTP, NPDES Permit NC0020621 Watauga County Dear Mr. Ward: Mr. Ron Boone, the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR), Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO), conducted a compliance evaluation inspection (CEI) of the Jimmy Smith WWTP on May 13, 2021. The cooperation and assistance of Rudy Broschinski, Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), was greatly helpful and appreciated. I am pleased to say that Mr. Boone found no significant issues, deficiencies, or violations during the inspection. A copy of the water compliance inspection report, which details the inspection findings, is attached for your and Mr. Broschinski's records. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about the inspection or any other issue. You are reminded that violations of NPDES permit NC0020621, as well as applicable NC statutes and regulations, subject the Town of Boone to enforcement action by DWR and civil penalty assessments not to exceed $25,000.00 per violation, per day. However, it is our preference to proactively identify issues, especially those that may result in violations, and work with permittees to address and mitigate them. If we can be of assistance in resolving any such matters, please let us know as soon as possible. D_E NORM CAROLINA ofprmtronm,ngl Ouai North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 1 Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 336.776.9800 Feel free to contact Mr. Boone anytime by phone at 336.776.9690, or by email at ron.boone@ncdenr.gov. You may also contact me by phone at 336.776.9700, or by email at lon.snider@ncdenr.gov. Thank you for you attention to this matter. Sincerely, DocuSiiggned by:< %w. l . 5A,af - 145B49E225C94 EA... Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Winston-Salem Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachments: 1. Water Compliance Inspection Report cc: Laserfiche LD_E NORTH CAROLINA gapartmeM of Environmental quaky North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality j Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 336.776.9800 United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 Approval expires 8-31-98 Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS) Transaction 1 IN 21IIIIII Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection I 2 IL I 3 I NC0020621 111 121 21/05/13 117 Type 1810I IIIIIIIIIII Inspector Fac Type 19I S I 2011 IIIIIIIIIII IIIIIII I IIIIII P6 Inspection 671 Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA Reserved I 70I I 711 172 I N I 73I 1 74 71 I I I I I I I I 180 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES Dermit Number) Jimmy Smith WWTP 201 Casey Ln Boone NC 28607 Entry Time/Date 10:30AM 21/05/13 Permit Effective Date 17/05/01 Exit Time/Date 02:30PM 21/05/13 Permit Expiration Date 21/03/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Rudolph E Broschinski/ORC/828-268-6271/ Other Facility Data Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted George M Sudderth,PO Drawer 192 Boone NC 286070192//828-262-4530/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran Sludge Handling DispoFacility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Wate Laboratory 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 Ron Boone DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9690/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date FDocuSigned by: 5/18/2021 Loti T. 5A,ats- EPA Form .i bU.i ev � 14A49E225WeV9-94 ) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# 1 3I NPDES yr/mo/day NC0020621 111 121 21/05/13 117 Inspection Type 18 [j (Cont.) 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Mr. Broschinski indicated that when plant was hydraulically upgraded, the digesters were not. So, although they can handle their current sludge production in the aerated digisters, they may not be able to in the future if their flows do increase. Mr. Broschinski stated there is no backup disinfection system. He indicated they could not use chlorine. Mr. Broschinski stated they do NOT have an emergency contract with fuel vendor (priority status during emergencies). Such an arrangement should be established. Page# 2 Permit: NC0020621 Owner - Facility: Jimmy Smith WWTP Inspection Date: 05/13/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Laboratory Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? # Is the facility using a contract lab? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? Comment: None Influent Sampling # Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected above side streams? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Is sampling performed according to the permit? Comment: None Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? • El El El Is proper volume collected? • El El El Is the tubing clean? • ❑ El El # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 • El El El degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type • El El El representative)? Comment: None Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, El El • El and sampling location)? Comment: None Page# 3 Permit: NC0020621 Owner - Facility: Jimmy Smith WWTP Inspection Date: 05/13/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain -of -custody complete? 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? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Comment: None Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • • • • • • • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new MODE application? Is the facility as described in the permit? ❑ • ❑ ❑ # Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑ • ❑ ❑ Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Plant description says there are drying beds in use. There haven't been drying beds in use for a very long time. Pump Station - Influent Is the pump wet well free of bypass lines or structures? Yes No NA NE Page# 4 Permit: NC0020621 Owner - Facility: Jimmy Smith WWTP Inspection Date: 05/13/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Pump Station - Influent Yes No NA NE Is the wet well free of excessive grease? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all pumps present? El • El El Are all pumps operable? ❑ • ❑ ❑ Are float controls operable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is SCADA telemetry available and operational? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is audible and visual alarm available and operational? • ❑ El El Comment: One pump is out for repair but other pumps can handle the flow and there is a backup pump station for additional capacity as well. Flow Measurement - Influent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Yes No NA NE ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Meter should be calibrated because it's used to pace the sampler for flowpro sampling. Equalization Basins Is the basin aerated? Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment? Is the basin free of excessive grease? Are all pumps present? Are all pumps operable? Are float controls operable? Are audible and visual alarms operable? # Is basin size/volume adequate? Comment: None Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical • Are the bars adequately screening debris? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0020621 Owner - Facility: Jimmy Smith WWTP Inspection Date: 05/13/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Is disposal of screening in compliance? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Screenings landfilled. Grit Removal Type of grit removal a.Manual b.Mechanical Is the grit free of excessive organic matter? Is the grit free of excessive odor? # Is disposal of grit in compliance? Comment: Grit is also landfilled. Oxidation Ditches Are the aerators operational? Are the aerators free of excessive solids build up? # Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface? Is the DO level acceptable? Are settleometer results acceptable (> 30 minutes)? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) Are settelometer results acceptable?(400 to 800 ml/I in 30 minutes) Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: DO was 2.78mg/I during inspection...taken from installed meter. Foam covered more than 50% of surface area. Mixed liquor looked good. No foul odor. Earthy odor. They keep MLSS at about 3,500 but wasn't measured during inspection. Secondary Clarifier Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? Are weirs level? Is the site free of weir blockage? Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? Is scum removal adequate? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NC0020621 Owner - Facility: Jimmy Smith WWTP Inspection Date: 05/13/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Secondary Clarifier Is the drive unit operational? Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth) Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Sludge blankets normally around 3'. Center well has quite a bit of solids in it but it's under control and doesn't appear to be effecting the process any. Pumps-RAS-WAS Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: None Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ Filtration (High Rate Tertiary) Yes No NA NE Type of operation: Down flow Is the filter media present? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter surface free of clogging? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter free of growth? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None Disinfection - UV Are extra UV bulbs available on site? Are UV bulbs clean? Is UV intensity adequate? Is transmittance at or above designed level? Is there a backup system on site? Is effluent clear and free of solids? Comment: ORC stated there is no backup disinfection system on site. Flow Measurement - Effluent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE Page# 7 Permit: NC0020621 Owner - Facility: Jimmy Smith WWTP Inspection Date: 05/13/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Flow Measurement - Effluent Yes No NA NE Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Comment: Meter reports to SCADA. It is an ISCO 3010 and was last calibrated on 3/24/2021. Effluent Pipe Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Comment: None Aerobic Digester Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Comment: None Solids Handling Equipment Is the equipment operational? Is the chemical feed equipment operational? Is storage adequate? Is the site free of high level of solids in filtrate from filter presses or vacuum filters? Is the site free of sludge buildup on belts and/or rollers of filter press? Is the site free of excessive moisture in belt filter press sludge cake? The facility has an approved sludge management plan? Comment: None Chemical Feed Is containment adequate? Is storage adequate? Are backup pumps available? Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 8 Permit: NC0020621 Owner - Facility: Jimmy Smith WWTP Inspection Date: 05/13/2021 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Chemical Feed Is the site free of excessive leaking? Comment: None Drying Beds Is there adequate drying bed space? Is the sludge distribution on drying beds appropriate? Are the drying beds free of vegetation? # Is the site free of dry sludge remaining in beds? Is the site free of stockpiled sludge? Is the filtrate from sludge drying beds returned to the front of the plant? # Is the sludge disposed of through county landfill? # Is the sludge land applied? (Vacuum filters) Is polymer mixing adequate? Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ Comment: The facility no longer uses drying beds. Drying beds should be removed from the permit's plant description. Standby Power Is automatically activated standby power available? Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? Is the generator tested under load? Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? Comment: Please develop a written emergency agreement with a local fuel vendor. Yes No NA NE • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? • ❑ ❑ ❑ Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable MODE Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Comment: None Page# 9