The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutWQ0004115_CEI_20230404 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED April 04, 2023 Craig Galloway Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc Email: craig@championhills.com SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Champion Hills WWTP Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0004115 Henderson County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Champion Hills WWTP on 3/29/2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in Non-discharge Permit No. WQ0004115. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance 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 Melanie Kemp with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or via email at melanie.kemp@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Melanie Kemp, Environmental Specialist Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Compliance Evaluation Inspection Report EC: LF CC: Bob Barr, RPB Systems Compliance Inspection Report Permit:WQ0004115 Effective:02/01/19 Expiration:03/31/24 Owner :Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc SOC: Contact Person: Region: County: Directions to Facility: Henderson Asheville Craig Galloway Effective:Expiration:Facility:Champion Hills WWTP 1000 Indian Cave Rd Hendersonville NC 28739 Title:Phone:828-696-1662Director of Grounds & Facilities Secondary ORC(s): 828-251-1900Phone:1007992Certification:Danielle Ann HunterPrimary ORC: SI,System Classifications: On-Site Representative(s): Related Permits: NC0087106 Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc - Champion Hills WWTP Secondary Inspector(s): Primary Inspector: Inspection Date:Exit Time:Entry Time: Phone: 03/29/2023 09:00AM 10:30AM Melanie Kemp Facility Status: Permit Inspection Type: Reason for Inspection:Inspection Type: Not CompliantCompliant Routine Reclaimed Water Compliance Evaluation Question Areas: Treatment Flow Measurement-Effluent Treatment Flow Measurement-Influent Miscellaneous Questions Treatment Flow Measurement-Water Use Records Treatment Treatment Barscreen Treatment Filters Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection Treatment Flow Measurement Storage End Use-Reuse Standby Power (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 8 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0004115 03/29/2023 Compliance Evaluation Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc Routine Inspection Summary: Melanie Kemp and Daniel Boss, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Champion Hills WWTP on March 29, 2023. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility was being operated and maintained in compliance with Non-Discharge Permit WQ0004115. An NPDES inspection was conducted concurrently with this one for permit NC0087106. Danielle Hunter with RPB systems, and Craig Galloway with Champion Hills were present and assisted in the inspection. Overall, the facility appeared to be compliant. The inspection was performed in the off-season and therefore the irrigation system is not currently in use. Both wastewater treatment trains were in use during the inspection and flows were averaging 30,000 GPD. The following issues were noted and require attention: • There were excess floating solids in the clarifier which require consistent skimming and baffle maintenance. • The floats in the EQ basin are not connected to an alarm system. • The freeboard marker in the storage pond needs to be cleaned and placed upright. See the inspection report for NPDES Permit 0087106 for additional information regarding the floats and excess solids. The area surrounding the WWTP was cleared of pine trees a few years ago to reduce pine needle debris from entering the facility. This has helped with organic material entering the WWTP. There was no overgrowth of vegetation around the storage pond or NPDES discharge pipe. The ORC noted that duckweed dues grow on the storage pond in the summer months despite aeration. Generator: The propane gas generator is managed by Champion Hills staff. A contract firm maintains and services the generator. The generator self-exercises weekly, every Monday. The generator serves as backup power for the influent and effluent pump stations adjacent to the WWTP. Pump Stations: Aside from the influent and effluent pump stations adjacent to the WWTP, which are inspected by RPB Systems, the Champion Hills staff inspect the remaining 9 pump stations on site. Mr. Galloway indicated that all pump stations have alarms connected to telemetry, as well as backup power. The clubhouse has a grease trap that is cleaned monthly to prevent excess FOGs from entering the WWTP. Irrigation Pond: Mr. Galloway indicated that the pond is pumped dry every 2 years (last performed in 2022) to inspect the pond liner and perform any necessary cleaning/maintenance. The liner and the berms appeared free of any seeps or erosion. The freeboard level was approximately 2.5 feet during the inspection. The pond has adequate freeboard levels and primarily contains rainwater since the irrigation system is not in use during the winter. Irrigation Equipment Calibration: Irrigation equipment was last calibrated in 2018. As a reminder, irrigation equipment is required to be calibrated once per permit cycle. The next calibration will be due before the permit expires in 2024. Modification: Champion Hills is considering upgrading and/or moving the WWTP based on the age of the plant and potential increase in flow demands in the future. Should Champion Hills wish to increase the irrigation area and/or add acreage to the permit or change the WWTP, a permit modification would be required. Please keep the Asheville Regional Office and Non-Discharge Permitting Branch apprised of any planned changes to the system. Page 2 of 8 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0004115 03/29/2023 Compliance Evaluation Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc Routine Type Yes No NA NE Infiltration System Lagoon Spray, LR Single Family Spray, LR Activated Sludge Spray, LR Activated Sludge Drip, LR Activated Sludge Spray, HR Recycle/Reuse Single Family Drip Reuse (Quality) Treatment Yes No NA NE Are Treatment facilities consistent with those outlined in the current permit? Do all treatment units appear to be operational? (if no, note below.) Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement-Influent 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? Influent flow not measured.Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement-Water Use Records Yes No NA NE Is water use metered? Are the daily average values properly calculated? Water use is not metered.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? Digital effluent flow meter last calibrated May 2022.Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? Page 3 of 8 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0004115 03/29/2023 Compliance Evaluation Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc Routine Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? Is generator operable? Does generator have adequate fuel? Champion Hills utilizes a contractor to maintain and service the propane generator. It self-tests every Monday. The generator within the WWTP supplies backup power to the influent and effluent pump stations. Comment: Treatment Barscreen Yes No NA NE Is it free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screenings in compliance? Are the bars spaced properly? Is the unit in good condition? 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? Are Settleometer results acceptable? Is activated sludge an acceptable color? ORC reported settleability of 30-40% the week of the inspection.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? Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level? Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids? An above-average amount of foam was observed in the aeration basins during the inspection. The ORC is reguarly using soda ash to mitigate pH levels. An excessive amount of floating solids were observed in the calrifier and need to be continusouly monitored and managed. The baffles are being cleaned frequently, but were full during the inspection. Sludge blanket and settlablity not measured but last settleability reading from the ORC (2 days prior) was 30-40%. 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? Page 4 of 8 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0004115 03/29/2023 Compliance Evaluation Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc Routine Is the clear well free of excessive solids? Is the mud well free of excessive solids and filter media? Does backwashing frequency appear adequate? Backwashing is automatic and was observed during the inspection. Filters appear to be working properly. 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 lbs 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? Chlorine used as only form of disinfection. Three of four chrloine tablet chambers were being used. Dechlorination occurs for water being discharged, but not when it is being routed to the storage pond. Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of current permit available? Are monitoring reports present: NDMR? NDAR? 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? Page 5 of 8 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0004115 03/29/2023 Compliance Evaluation Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc Routine Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW? 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? O&M logs thorough and complete.Comment: End Use-Reuse Yes No NA NE Is the acreage in the permit being utilized? Does the acreage specified in the permit correspond to the measured acreage at the site? Are all essential units provided in duplicate? Is an automatically activated standby power source available? Is the equalization capacity adequate? Is aerated flow equalization present? Has the turbidity meter been calibrated in the last 12 months? Does the turbidity meter have recording capabilities? Is all flow diverted at the appropriate times? Is all upset wastewater diverted from reuse storage unit? Is all upset wastewater treated, retreated, or disposed of acceptably? Is upset wastewater treated prior to discharge to irrigation storage? Is public access restricted from irrigation area during active site use? If golf course, is a sign posted in plain sight on the club house? Is the cover crop acceptable? Are buffers adequate? Is the site free of ponding/runoff? Is the acreage in the permit being utilized? Is the application equipment acceptable? Page 6 of 8 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0004115 03/29/2023 Compliance Evaluation Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc Routine Is the application area free of limiting slopes? How close is the closest water supply well? Are any supply wells within the CB? Are any supply wells within 250' of the CB? Is municipal water available in the area? Are GW monitoring wells required? Are GW monitoring wells located properly w/ respect to RB and CB? Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval? All upset water manually diverted to the stream discharge. The facility empties the pond every two years to inspect the liner (last performed in 2022). The freeboard gauge needs to be re-set and cleaned off in order to see markings. The inspection was performed in the off-season and the facility is currently operating under the NPDES permit. Comment: IRRIGATION POND - Storage Yes No NA NE Storage Type?Pond Gallons Storage amount?700000 # At what point is side-stream wastewater returned to treatment? Is there a Spill Control Plan? Aerated or Mixed?AERATED If aeration is present, is it adequate? If present, are diffusers cleaned regularly? Is influent structure acceptable? Are banks/berms free of seepage and erosion? Are banks/berms free of excessive vegetation? Is pond lined? Liner Type Full, synthetic Is liner acceptable? Are baffles/curtains acceptable? Does the pond have a freeboard marker? Required freeboard?2 Feet Actual freeboard?2.5 Feet Is there suitable grassed vegetation? Is the vegetation maintained? Is the area free of excessive weeds and/or woody species? Page 7 of 8 Inspection Date: Permit: Inspection Type : Owner - Facility: Reason for Visit: WQ0004115 03/29/2023 Compliance Evaluation Champion Hills Property Owners Association Inc Routine Is the area free from signs of overflow? Is color acceptable? Are floating mats acceptable? No excessive buildup of solids? Are aerators/mixers acceptable? Is effluent structure acceptable? If present, is pond cover acceptable? Lined, uncovered pond with aerators. The pond was not in use during the inspection as the facility is operating under their NPDES permit. Comment: Page 8 of 8