WQ0000267_Inspection_20220419

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQ0000267 Effective: 06/20/17
SOC: Effective:
County: Gates
Region: Washington
Contact Person: Kenneth G Hart
Expiration: 06/30/21
Expiration:
Owner : Gates County
Facility: Gates County WWTFs
Honey Pot Rd
NCSR 1400
Gatesville NC 27938
Title: Facility Engineering Specialist
Phone:
Directions to Facility:
From Washington, take Rte 64 East for 2 miles, then take Rte 45 north approx. 45 miles to Winton, then take Rte 158 East approx.
18 miles to Honey Pot Road (on Right). Follow Honey Pot Road for -0.6 miles. Facility is on the Right.
System Classifications: SI,
Primary ORC: Timothy McKinley Hedgepeth
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Inspection Date: 04/19/2022 Entry Time 10:30AM
Primary Inspector: Sarah A Toppen
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine
Permit Inspection Type: Wastewater Irrigation
Facility Status: ❑ Compliant Not Compliant
Question Areas:
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement -Water
Use Records
▪ End Use -Irrigation
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement
(See attachment summary)
Certification: 995918
Exit Time: 12:OOPM
Phone: [phone]
Phone: [phone]
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
▪ Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
▪ Treatment
▪ Treatment Influent Pump Station
▪ Standby Power
▪ Miscellaneous Questions
▪ Treatment Lagoons
▪ Treatment Disinfection
Page 1 of 5

Permit: WQ0000267 Owner - Facility: Gates County
Inspection Date: 04/19/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
On April 19, 2022, Sarah Toppen and Randy Sipe with NCDWR met Tiffany Finn on -site at the new wastewater treatment
plant to go over the status and then we toured the irrigation system that they are currently operating.
Tiffany Finn is said to be the ORC but in our system is listed as invalid. Timothy Hedgepeth is listed a the Backup ORC.
The new system works but has not had any wastewater sent through it yet. It was stated that they have pumped out the
lagoon (rainwater) and that the system works.
The old system was toured. See below for more on this inspection:
The influent pump station did not have the correct signage, there were weeds/vines on the generator, electrical panel box,
and top of wet well. This shows that the required inspections have not been completed. Refer to 15A NCACO2T .0403 for
requirements of the pump station.
The operator said that the influent flow meter has not been working for a while and that they are estimating flow. She stated
that Cook electrical is supposed to be repairing the meter soon.
Part of the fence around the front of the existing lagoon has fallen and needs to be repaired.
The existing lagoon was observed with a large amount of duck weed.
The operator stated that there are two effluent flow meters, but one is currently being calibrated. The second meter will be
sent off for calibration once the first one is back from being calibrated.
The disinfection system does not work. The county is in the process of modifying the permit and converting the gas
disinfection system to a liquid disinfection system.
The operator has been mowing the existing fields. We addressed the need to have the clippings removed from the fields so
that the proper drainage can occur. A protion of the fields are so wet that the ORC got the tracor stuck.
The facility is in non-compliance. Work on the listed issues and please call if you have any questions.
Page 2 of 5

Permit: WQ0000267 Owner - Facility: Gates County
Inspection Date: 04/19/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Type
Reuse (Quality)
Infiltration System
Activated Sludge Spray, LR
Single Family Spray, LR
Activated Sludge Spray, HR
Activated Sludge Drip, LR
Recycle/Reuse
Single Family Drip
Lagoon Spray, 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: The disinfection system does not work.
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?
Yes No NA NE
•
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
▪ •
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ • ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ❑•
❑ ❑ ❑•
❑ ❑ ❑•
❑ 000
❑ ❑•❑
❑ ❑•❑
Comment: The influent pump station is listed in the wastewater treatment plant permit. We did not check
all the required items that needs to be working and regularly checked by staff and the operator
didn't appear to feel safe pulling floats during the inspection. It was stated that telemetry is
available, but the contacts need to be updated so the correct operators receive the calls.
Please refer to 15A NCACO2T .0403 for the requirements of the influent pump station. The
pumps were turned on and both were working.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent
Is flowmeter calibrated annually?
Is flowmeter operating properly?
Does flowmeter monitor continuously?
Does flowmeter record flow?
Yes No NA NE
❑ ❑ ❑•
❑•❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑•❑ ❑
Page 3 of 5

Permit: WQ0000267 Owner - Facility: Gates County
Inspection Date: 04/19/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately?
Comment: The operator said that the influent flow meter at the existing system has not been working for a
while and that they are estimating flow. She stated that Cook electrical is supposed to be
repairing the meter soon.
Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Use Records
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?
Yes No NA NE
❑ ❑ • ❑
❑ ❑ • ❑
Yes No NA NE
❑ ❑ ❑ •
❑ ❑ ❑ •
Comment: The operator stated that there are two effluent flow meters at the existing system, but one is
currently being calibrated. The second meter will be sent off for calibration once the first one is
back from being calibrated.
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 Disinfection
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?
Is the fan in the chlorine feed room and storage area operable?
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?
If UV, is the UV intensity adequate?
# Is it a dual feed system?
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ❑ •
❑ ❑ ❑ •
Yes No NA NE
❑ ❑ ❑ •
❑ ❑ ❑ •
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ • ❑
❑ ❑ • ❑
Page 4 of 5

Permit: WQ0000267 Owner - Facility: Gates County
Inspection Date: 04/19/2022 Inspection Type : Compliance Evaluation
Reason for Visit: Routine
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: The gas disinfection system has not been working for some time. They now have applied for a
modification to convert the disinfection from gas to a liquid.
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?
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?
Yes No NA NE
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ • ❑ ❑
❑ • ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ❑ •
❑ ❑ ❑ •
• ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ❑ •
❑ ❑ ❑ •
❑ ❑ ❑ •
❑ ❑ ❑ •
• ❑ ❑ ❑
• ❑ ❑ ❑
▪ ❑ ❑ ❑
❑ ❑ ❑ •
Comment: The operator has been mowing the existing fields. We addressed the need to have the
clippings removed from the fields so that the proper drainage can occur. A protion of the fields
are so wet that the ORC got the tracor stuck.
Page 5 of 5