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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0015515_NOV-2022-PC-0554_20220923ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality September 23, 2022 CERTIFIED MAIL No. 7020 3160 0002 0860 9185 RETURN RECIEPT REQUESTED Bill Stevens Heavenly Mountain Residential Association, Inc. 1896 Heavenly Mountain Drive Boone, NC 28607 SUBJECT: Notice of Violation (NOV-2022-PC-0554) Compliance Evaluation Inspection Bear Pen Village WWTP Permit No. WQ0015515 Watauga County Dear Mr. Stevens: On August 30, 2022, Division of Water Resources staff Caitlin Caudle completed a compliance evaluation inspection. Pete Ostergard and Bobby Rowe, RPB Systems, were present during the entire inspection. A review of available records, treatment facilities, storage tank, and irrigation equipment was completed. This review reflected non- compliance with the subject permit. 1. A wet spot had been noted in previous inspections close to the effluent inlet pipe into the storage tank. At the time of inspection, it was clear that the wet spot had developed into a seep with directional flow, with active flow at the time of inspection. Ms. Caudle returned to the facility on September 2, 2022, to sample the effluent in the storage tank and collect samples from the seep beside the storage tank. Samples were collected from both locations. Preliminary sample results show that the two sets of samples have similar characteristics. Based on the available information, there is a possibility that the wet area is caused by effluent seeping from the storage tank. This is a violation of Permit Condition 11.1 as the facility is no longer performing satisfactorily. Provide Ms. Caudle a plan of action to continue to investigate the source of the seep within fifteen (15) days of receipt of this letter. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 NoanicaaouNn oep.m.m or em�nmen� Qualm 336.776.9800 The following items of concern were noted: A. Per Permit Condition 111.6 irrigation equipment shall be calibrated once per permit cycle. To date, the irrigation system has not been calibrated. The system must be calibrated by 11 /30/2022. B. Per Permit Condition 11.6 a rain or moisture sensor must be connected to the irrigation system. Mr. Rowe and Mr. Ostergard stated that a rain sensor was not present at the time of inspection. Irrigation is manually controlled by Mr. Rowe, meaning the system is turned off when rain is in the forecast. Based on inspection notes from the last compliance inspection a rain sensor was present and operational. Please locate the rain sensor and verify it is operational. If no rain sensor is present, one must be installed. C. Mr. Rowe stated that signs restricting public access to irrigation zones are not present per Permit Condition 111.9. This was not confirmed due to weather and time constraints. Please post signs restricting public access if needed. This will be confirmed during a follow up inspection. D. Currently, Mr. Rowe is visiting this system at the required frequency. Mr. Rowe is newly certified and has not been designated as the ORC for the system. Please designate Mr. Rowe as the ORC as soon as possible in accordance with 15A NCAC 08G .0200. Please review the enclosed inspection report for additional comments and observations. If you have any questions, please contact Caitlin Caudle at (336) 776-9699 or by email at caitlin.caudle(a-ncdenr.gov. Be mindful of the required response in Item 1 listed above. Sincerely, DocuSigned by, �41 . -'!u ,k. OD2D3CE3F1 B7456_. Jennifer F. Graznak, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ-WSRO Enc: Inspection Report Cc: Bob Barr (electronic copy) Bobby Rowe (electronic copy) Watauga County Environmental Health (electronic copy) Laserfiche File WQ0015515 WSRO Electronic Files NORTH CAROLINAD � �� oeo+ro�.m m F,mro��w n�si� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Raleigh, North Carolina 27105 336.776.9800 Compliance Inspection Report Permit: WQ0015515 Effective: 12/01/18 Expiration: 11/30/23 Owner : Heavenly Mountain Residential Association Inc SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Bear Pen Village WWTP County: Watauga Summit Rise Dr Region: Winston-Salem Boone NC 28607 Contact Person: Bill Stevens Title: Phone: 828-265-1416 Directions to Facility: System Classifications: SI, WW2, Primary ORC: Certification: Phone: Secondary ORC(s): On -Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Inspection Date: 08/30/2022 Entry Time 12:45PM Exit Time: 02:45PM Primary Inspector: Caitlin Caudle Phone: 336-776-9699 Secondary Inspector(s): 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 -Influent Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Flow Measurement -Water Treatment Treatment Barscreen Use Records Treatment Filters Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection Treatment Flow Measurement Storage Standby Power (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 7 Permit: WQ0015515 Owner - Facility: Heavenly Mountain Residential Association Inc Inspection Date: 08/30/2022 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Inspection Summary: On August 30, 2022, Division of Water Resources staff Caitlin Caudle completed a compliance evaluation inspection. Pete Ostergard and Bobby Rowe, RPB Systems, were present during the entire inspection. A review of available records, treatment facilities, storage tank, and irrigation equipment was completed. This review reflected non-compliance with the subject permit. 1. A wet spot had been noted in previous inspections close to the effluent inlet pipe into the storage tank At the time of inspection, it was clear that the wet spot had developed directional flow and there was active flow. Ms. Caudle returned to the facility on September 2, 2022, to sample the effluent in the storage tank and collect samples from the wet area beside the storage tank. Samples were collected from the storage tank as irrigation was in progress and from the wet area beside the storage tank. Preliminary sample results show that the two sets of samples have similar characteristics. Based on the available information, there is a possibility that the wet area is caused by effluent seeping from the storage tank This is a violation of Permit Condition 11.1 as the facility is no longer performing satisfactorily. Provide Ms. Caudle a plan of action to continue to investigate the source of the seep within 15 days of receipt of this letter. The following items of concern were noted: A. Per Permit Condition 111.6 irrigation equipment shall be calibrated once per permit cycle. To date, the irrigation system has not been calibrated. The system must be calibrated by 11/30/2022. B. Per Permit Condition 11.6 a rain or moisture sensor must be connected to the irrigation system. Mr. Row and Mr. Ostergard stated that a rain sensor was not present at the time of inspection. Irrigation is manually controlled by Mr. Rowe, meaning the system is turned off when rain is in the forecast. Based on inspection notes from the last compliance inspection a rain sensor was present and operational. Please locate the rain sensor and verify it is operational. If no rain sensor is present, one must be installed. C. Mr. Rowe stated that signs restricting public access to irrigation zones are not present per Permit Condition 111.9. This was not confirmed due to weather and time constraints. Please post signs restricting public access if needed. This will be confirmed during the follow up inspections. D. Currently, Mr. Rowe is visiting this system at the required frequency. Mr. Rowe is newly certified and has not been designated as the ORC for the system. Please designate Mr. Rowe as the ORC as soon as possible in accordance with 15A NCAC 08G .0200. The irrigation pumps were not viewed in operation due to weather conditions at the time of inspection. A follow up inspection will be conducted to review the irrigation system in action. An email was sent on August 30, 2022, to Mr. Rowe requesting the following information to be provided by September 6, 2022: • Clarification on how TRC is being reported. For the past 11 months TRC has been reported as <20mg/L. Ms. Caudle requested clarification that the reported units are correct. Meaning that <20mg/L is correct and not <20ug/L (0.02 mg/L). • Residuals removal records when the digestor/sludge basin was last pumped. • Spill Plan (111.1) and Residuals Management Plan (111.10). • Soil reports since 2020. Information was provided on September 6, 2022, but additional clarification is needed in regards to the Spill Plan and Residuals Management Plan, and TRC reporting. Other observations: • There is currently no plan to increase flow above 10,000 GPD. The system is currently permitted for 20,000 GPD. The system serves approximately 40 condos and a community center. Monthly average flows are currently less than 2,000 GPD. • The collection system is gravity fed with no lift stations. • There is a generator on site that can be connected to the package plant only. Treated wastewater gravity flows to the storage tank. • There are no berms present around the system. • Gravity feed to Bar Screen ❑ EQ Basin ❑ Aeration Basin ❑ Clarifier ❑ Old CCC (OR skimmer return, OR waste to Page 2 of 7 Permit: WQ0015515 Owner - Facility: Heavenly Mountain Residential Association Inc Inspection Date: 08/30/2022 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine digestor/sludge basin) ❑ Tertiary filters ❑ Clearwell/backwash well ❑ CCC ❑ Flowmeter ❑ Storage tank • There was minimal debris in the bar screen. • An Operation and Maintenance Plan was present on site, but did not include a Spill Plan or Residuals Management Plan. • There have been past exceedances of groundwater standards for nitrate (<10mg/L) in 2/2021, 8/2021, and 11/2021. • As discussed, soil samples can be sent to the North Carolina Department of Agricultural analytical lab. Analysis is free from April to Thanksgiving. Sample results can be found here: https://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pals/. Additional sampling information can be found here: https://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/uyrst.htm. The sample submission form is AD-1. The Client ID for Bear Pen Village/Heavenly Mountain Resort is 378965. • The aerators in the package plant are on a timer, 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off. The pumps were not reviewed in operation. The pumps are controlled by floats, an off float, on float, and highwater alarm float. The audible and visual alarm was operational. There is a distribution box that directs flow to the aeration basin or back to the EQ basin. There is slide panel that controls the volume of flow to the aeration basin. There is also a pipe that is blocked that can direct flow to the digestor/sludge basin. Likely to add effluent to solids if needed. • Aeration in the aeration basin was even and operational at the time of inspection. There is not a DO meter installed, but a handheld meter is available. • Solids are removed about once a year due to low flows into the plant. • The tertiary filters were not reviewed in operation. The media could not be reviewed due to duckweed in the filters. The filters reportedly operate on floats. • The clarifier is a single hopper clarifier. Some sludge balls were floating on the surface of the clarifier. Mr. Rowe stated that they were not there yesterday. The scum removal system was operational. Some moss was growing in the weirs but did not appear to be impeding flow. The weirs may need to be cleaned in the near future. The sludge blanket was not reviewed. • The chlorinator and CCC were in good condition. Tablets were present in the tubes. • The flowmeter was last calibrated on 1/5/2022. • The storage tank is enclosed. There is reportedly an overflow pipe. • The irrigation pumps were not viewed in operation. • A new PercRite system had been installed to control irrigation. The system can operator on a timer or on floats. The system will shut off when high flows or pressure differences are detected. There is also a low water float in the storage tank. • The cover crop appeared to be in good condition. There was no evidence of runoff below the irrigation zones from Goldel Gate Road. Follow Up: • There is a water supply well for the public water system within sight of the storage tank. The locations of water supply wells will be located and mapped for future reference. • Review irrigation system in operation. • Check on status of wet area/flowing water (???) from storage tank. • Review tertiary filters in operation, and back wash. • Walk sewer lines? • Review manifold boxes for irrigation system. Page 3 of 7 Permit: WQ0015515 Inspection Date: 08/30/2022 Owner - Facility: Heavenly Mountain Residential Association Inc Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Type Yes No NA NE Infiltration System ❑ Reuse (Quality) ❑ Lagoon Spray, LR ❑ Single Family Spray, LR ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, LR ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, HR ❑ Recycle/Reuse ❑ Single Family Drip ❑ Activated Sludge Drip, LR Treatment Yes No NA NE Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement -Influent Yes No NA NE Is flowmeter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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 Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the daily average values properly calculated? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Yes No NA NE Is flowmeter calibrated annually? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flowmeter operating properly? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter monitor continuously? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter record flow? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Page 4 of 7 Permit: WQ0015515 Owner - Facility: Heavenly Mountain Residential Association Inc Inspection Date: 08/30/2022 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does generator have adequate fuel? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: A mobile generator is on site. Treatment Barscreen Yes No NA NE Is it free of excessive debris? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screenings in compliance? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the bars spaced properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is activated sludge an acceptable color? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Treatment Clarifiers Yes No NA NE Are the weirs level? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the weirs free of solids and algae? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scum removal system operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scum removal system accessible? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Treatment Filters Yes No NA NE Is the filter media present? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the filter media the correct size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the air scour operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scouring acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the clear well free of excessive solids? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does backwashing frequency appear adequate? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment Page 5 of 7 Permit: WQ0015515 Owner - Facility: Heavenly Mountain Residential Association Inc Inspection Date: 08/30/2022 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment Yes No NA NE Is the aeration operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the aeration pattern even? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If required, are Sanitary "Ts" present in tankage? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ 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: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of current permit available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are monitoring reports present: NDMR? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ NDAR? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Page 6 of 7 Permit: WQ0015515 Owner - Facility: Heavenly Mountain Residential Association Inc Inspection Date: 08/30/2022 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine 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: Some records were not available on site. Page 7 of 7