WQ0039053_RI_20211005

SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED
October 05, 2021

Vaughn Stevenson
Email: [e-mail]
Bio-Nomic Services Inc

SUBJECT: Reconnaissance Inspection
Bio-Nomic Services DCAR- Rhodhiss WTP
Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0039053
Gaston County/Caldwell County

Dear Permittee:

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources, Asheville Regional Office, conducted an inspection of the
Residuals Source Generating Facility, Rhodhiss WTP in Caldwell County. This site visit was conducted in
conjunction with the renewal of Bio-Nomic DCAR Permit WQ0039053. The findings and comments noted during
this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report.

There were no significant issues or findings noted during the inspection and therefore, a response to this
inspection report is not required.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-296-4686 or via email at
[e-mail].

Sincerely,

Mikal Willmer, Environmental Specialist II
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Mooresville Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ

ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report

Ec: Kevin Matheson, WTP Superintendent
LF

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit:WQ0039053 Effective:03/09/20 Expiration:02/28/22 Owner :Bio-Nomic Services Inc
SOC:
Contact Person:
Region:
County:
Directions to Facility:
Gaston
Mooresville
Peter P Fleetwood
Effective:Expiration:Facility:Bio-Nomic Services DCAR
530 Woodlawn St
Belmont NC 28012
Title:Phone:[phone]President
Secondary ORC(s):
Phone:Certification:Primary ORC:
System Classifications:
On-Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
WQ0003823 McCall Farms Inc - Wilson, NC Processing Facility
NC0084093 Chatham County - Jordan Lake WTP
NC0082139 Greenville Utilities Commission - Greenville WTP
NC0044164 City of Lenoir - Lake Rhodhiss WTP
Secondary Inspector(s):
Primary Inspector:
Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time:
Phone:
10/05/2021 09:45AM 10:20AM
Mikal Willmer 828-296-4686
Facility Status:
Permit Inspection Type:
Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type:
Not CompliantCompliant
Routine
Distribution of Residual Solids (503 Exempt)
Reconnaissance
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions Storage
(See attachment summary)
Page 1 of 3
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQ0039053
10/05/2021 Reconnaissance
Bio-Nomic Services Inc
Routine
Inspection Summary:
Mikal Willmer, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a site visit of the Residual Source Facility, The City of Lenoir’s
WTP (Rhodhiss Water Plant) on October 5, 2021. This site visit was conducted in conjunction with Bio-Nomic's DCAR
permit renewal (WQ0039053). The ARO only evaluated the source generating facility and results from the 2020 distribution.
Kevin Matheson, WTP Superintendent, was present and assisted in the inspection.
Alum residuals were not being removed from the lagoon at the time of the visit. The last bulk distribution by Bio-Nomic, on
behalf of the City, was in 2020. Approximately 1, 185 DT of residuals were distributed. Residuals are usually removed twice
a week from the WTPs sludge holding tank via the loading station by City personnel and hauled to the Wastewater
Treatment plant and processed with the City’s other residuals. Three times a year, solids are hauled for a week to the
WWTP as part of the WTP’s residuals management. Bio-Nomic typically only distributes for the Town when the lagoon is
reaching capacity. Mr. Matheson stated the lagoon took approximately 35 years to fill and is projecting a similar time frame
for the next dredging of the Lagoon. The lagoon cannot be decanted back into the facility’s waste stream. Any water
within the unlined lagoon usually evaporates or may exfiltrate. Should the water level ever reach the liquid waste capacity of
the lagoon, it would discharge into the WTP’s NPDES outfall via a manhole on the southwest corner of the earthen dam.
ARO staff recommend the City continue to monitor the toe slope of the dam to ensure there are no breaches. Significant
woody vegetation is growing along the embankment which makes it difficult to assess the integrity of the bank. Mr.
Matheson stated they do attempt to remove trees every two years. No noted seeps at the time of the inspection.
Staff maintain written protocols for operation and maintenance of the facility. Six composite samples were collected on the
same day for 2020 distribution which occurred over a 2-month period. All results appeared to be in compliance.
Page 2 of 3
Inspection Date:
Permit:
Inspection Type :
Owner - Facility:
Reason for Visit:
WQ0039053
10/05/2021 Reconnaissance
Bio-Nomic Services Inc
Routine
Type Yes No NA NE
Land Application
Distribution and Marketing
Page 3 of 3