WQCS00214_CEI_20220908

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQCS00214 Effective: 08/01/14 Expiration: 07/31/22 Owner : Town of West Jefferson
SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: West Jefferson Collection System
County: Ashe PO Box 490
Region: Winston-Salem
Contact Person: Joseph Wayne Walters
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS1,
Primary ORC: Joseph Wayne Walters
Secondary ORC(s):
Brandon Lee Patrick
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
West Jefferson NC 28694
Title: ORC Phone: [phone]
Certification: 993530 Phone: [phone]
1001882 336-246-3558
NC0020451 Town of West Jefferson - West Jefferson WWTP
Inspection Date: 09/08/2022
Entry Time 10:30AM Exit Time: 01:30PM
Primary Inspector: Patricia Lowery Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
Facility Status: Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
▪ Miscellaneous Questions
II Capital Improvement Plan
▪ Inspections
▪ Lines
(See attachment summary)
▪ General
▪ Map
▪ Spill Response Plan
▪ Pump Stations
▪ Sewer & FOG Ordinances
▪ Reporting Requirements
▪ Spills
Page 1 of 7

Permit: WQCS00214 Owner - Facility:Town of West Jefferson
Inspection Date: 09/08/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Tricia Lowery of the NC Division of Water Resources, Winston-Salem Regional Office conducted a compliance evaluation
inspection of the Town of West Jefferson wastewater collection system (WQCS00214) on 9/8/2022. Jody Walters (ORC),
Brandon Patrick (BORC) and Eric Miller (Maintenance Utilities Manager) were present for the inspection. The inspection
consisted of two parts: 1) in -office file review, and 2) field inspection of Greenfield pump station.
Overall Mr. Walters and Mr. Patrick operate and maintain the collection system well. No concerning issues were discovered
during the inspection. Inspector does have some suggestions, and they can be found in the comment sections of the
inpsection report. Please review the Compliance Evaluation Inspection report for details of the inspection.
Page 2 of 7

Permit: WQCS00214 Owner - Facility:Town of West Jefferson
Inspection Date: 09/08/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
General Yes No NA NE
Is there a properly designated primary ORC and at least one back-up of proper grade? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are logs being reviewed by the system management or owner on a regular basis? • ❑ ❑ ❑
# What is that frequency? Monthly
# Are there any issues being addressed currently or any in the planning stages? ❑ • ❑ ❑
Is there a specific pump failure plan available for all pump stations? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Does plan indicate if pump parts/new pumps are in spare parts/equipment inventory? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Are new/significantly upgraded pump stations equipped with anti -corrosion materials? ❑ ❑ • ❑
Does the permittee have a copy of their permit? • ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is permit expiring within the next 6 months? • ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, has the Permittee applied for renewal? • ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Permit expired July 31,2022. Renewal application was received 2/2/2022 and is being
processed and awaiting approval. ORC and BORC are properly designated and license are
valid.
Sewer and FOG Ordinances
Is Sewer Use Ordinance (SUO) or other Legal Authority available?
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced?
Is there a Grease Control Program that legally requires grease control devices?
What is the standard grease trap cleaning requirement in the FOG ordinance?
Is Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review?
Is action taken against violators?
# Have satellite systems adopted an equivalent or more stringent ordinance?
Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution?
# Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc?
If Yes, what are they? (This can reduce mailing to annual.)
Grease/FOG education can be found on Town's website.
Yes No NA NE
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Minimum -once
every 4 months or
more frequently if
pretreatment
personnel deems
necessary.
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Comment: SUO is adequate and enforced. Ashe Co. Cheese Company is the only SIU for collection
system. Local limits for BOD, TSS, NH3, Cu, Aq, CN, oil & grease are set up for local cheese
company. They are monitor regularly and if needed, violations are issued if limits are not met.
FOG education are mailed out to residents.
Capital Improvement Plan
Has a Capital (CIP) or System Improvement Plan been developed and adopted?
Is it designated for wastewater only or does it have a dedicated section?
Does CIP cover three to five year period of earmarked improvements?
Yes No NA NE
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Page 3 of 7

Permit: WQCS00214 Owner - Facility:Town of West Jefferson
Inspection Date: 09/08/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Does CIP include description of project area?
Does CIP include description of existing facilities?
Does CIP include known deficiencies?
Does CIP include forecasted future needs?
Comment: CIP is satisfactory
Map
Is there a overall sewer system map?
Does the map include:
Pipe Type (GS/FM)
Pipe sizes
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc)
Pipe location
Flow direction
Approximate pipe age
Pump station ID, location and capacity
# Force main air release valve location & type
# Location of satellite connections
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation?
Comment: The Town has implented the use of GIS for mapping
made when needed. Inspector found no issues.
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Yes No NA NE
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system. It is in order and updates are
Reporting Requirements
# Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years?
If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria?
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued?
Is an Annual Wastewater Performance Report being filed with the Division, if required?
Is the report being made available to all its sewer customers?
# How is it being made available?
Yes No NA NE
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Brochure sent to
residents.
Comment: One SSO in the past 3 years. 3900 gallons reached surface waters and a press release was
issued. Documentation is in order. Annual report is available to all sewer customers via
brochure sent via mail.
Inspections
Are adequate maintenance records maintained?
Are pump stations being inspected at the required frequency?
# Is at least one complete functionality test conducted weekly per pump station?
Is there a system or plan in place to observe the entire system annually?
Is the annual inspection documented?
Yes No NA NE
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Page4of7

Permit: WQCS00214 Owner - Facility:Town of West Jefferson
Inspection Date: 09/08/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
# Does the system have any high -priority lines/locations?
Are inspections of HPL documented at least every 6 months?
Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created?
Comment: Annual inspection of collection system is documented throughtout the year. All HPL's are
underground. There are 4 HPL's: 1) Mt. Jefferson Rd, 2) West Jefferson treatment plant, 3)
Buck Mountain Rd, and 4) Helen Blevins Rd. Records/logs are kept of HPL inspections and
they are conducted every 6 months. Pump station inspection logs are adequate and
inspections are conducted properly. Inspector found no other issues.
Spill Response Action Plan
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
Does the plan include:
24-hour contact numbers
Response time
Equipment list and spare parts inventory
Access to cleaning equipment
Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers
Source of emergency funds
Site sanitation and cleanup materials
Post-overflow/spill assessment
Does the Permittee appear to respond within 2 hours of first knowledge of a spill?
Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Response action plan is adequate. Corrections to be made are to add WSRO and EM 800
number to contact list. This was remedied during inspection. Inspector suggests to add a few
more details to spill plan: The plan states 'as quickly as possible", however
Spills Yes No NA NE
Is system free of known points of bypass? • ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, describe type of bypass and location
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented? • ❑ ❑ ❑
# Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location? ❑ • ❑ ❑
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment:
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
All HPLs are beneath ground and could not be visualized for inspection, however permittee has
documentation of line inspections.
Are right-of-ways/easements maintained for full width for access by staff/equipment?
If No, give details on temporary access:
Is maintenance documented?
Yes No NA NE
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Page5of7

Permit: WQCS00214 Owner - Facility:Town of West Jefferson
Inspection Date: 09/08/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Are gravity sewer cleaning records available?
Has at least 10% of lines older than 5 yrs been cleaned annually?
Were all areas/lines inspected free of issues?
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Comment: Easements are maintained and documented. Gravity cleaning records are logged and were
available to inspector. There is a total of 21.72 miles of sewer line in the collection system
(19.6 gravity / 2.12 force main) which is -114,681 ft total. 10% requirement is -11,468 ft to be
cleaned annually. So far for 2022, '2,100 ft of terracotta line has been cleaned/camera
scoped. The log does not list annual feet cleaned for year, only feet cleaned on particular
date. Inspector unable to determine if 10% was achieved. Inspector suggests to document
total feet cleaned and scoped for year in logbook.
Pump Stations
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Greenfield Pump Station
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system
# Number of vacuum stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed?
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access?
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes?
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris?
# Do they all have telemetry installed?
Is the communication system functional?
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
Pump station identifier?
# Address?
Instructions for notification?
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
Are audio and visual alarms present?
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
Yes No NA NE
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Page6of7

Permit: WQCS00214 Owner - Facility:Town of West Jefferson
Inspection Date: 09/08/2022
Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator?
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage?
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan?
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps?
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate?
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal?
Inspecting and exercising all valves?
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment?
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment?
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Comment: Two pump stations (Beaver Creek & Greenfield) are connected to SCADA system. Other two
pump stations (Doggett and Helen Blevins) are not connected to SCADA/telemetry. All have
visual/audible alarms. Two pump stations connected to SCADA have permanent generators
that are tested weekly. For the two pump station not connected to telemetry, no portable
generators are used. These pump stations are very low flow and only run once a day (if they
run at all). Vac trucks are designated to respond if a high level alarm should occur.
During inspection of Greenfield pump station, visual and audible alarm was tested via inverting
float in well. Alarms are in good working order. Pump station well did not have excessive
grease and debris, however there was considerable amount - it was at a high peak time of
usage. Inspector found no other issues.
Page 7 of 7