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Home My WebLink AboutNC0060844_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20230405DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3 SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONLY: NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. April 5, 2023 Lynn Olson Laurel Hills Homeowners Association Email: lodj220@gmail.com SUBJECT: Compliance Inspection Report Laurel Hills WWTP NPDES WW Permit No. NC0060844 Macon County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Laurel Hills WWTP on 3/23/2023. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0060844. The findings and comments noted during this inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report entitled "Compliance Inspection Report". The following compliance issues were noted during the inspection: 1. Bar Screen: The bar screen is not adequately screening debris. This is resulting in an excess of floating solids throughout the plant. It is recommended to install a bar screen with grates that are closer together. 2. Secondary Clarifier: At the time of inspection, one of the two skimmers was operating poorly. This is contributing to the excess floating solids throughout the plant. It is recommended that the skimmer be repaired or replaced. Additionally, because there is some excess grease throughout the plant it is recommended to distribute FOG brochures and rag information to residents. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lauren Armeni with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4667 or via email at lauren.armeni@ncdenr.gov. DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3 Sincerely, Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Mark Teague (ORC, Environmental Inc.) EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460 Water Compliance Inspection Report Form Approved. OMB No. 2040-0057 Approval expires 8-31-98 Section A: National Data System Coding (i.e., PCS) Transaction Code NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type Inspector Fac Type 1 N 52 NC0060844 23/03/23 C S31112171819 20 21 66 Inspection Work Days Facility Self-Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ----------------------Reserved------------------- N67707172 73 74 75 80 Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include POTW name and NPDES permit Number) Laurel Hills WWTP Pete McCoy Rd Franklin NC 28744 Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date 10:00AM 23/03/23 18/07/01 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) /// Mark Fredrick Teague/ORC/828-586-5588/ Other Facility Data 11:15AM 23/03/23 22/11/30 Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Margaret Crownover,PO Box 1537 Franklin NC 28734//828-369-9162/Contacted No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenance Records/Reports Self-Monitoring Program Sludge Handling Disposal Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Waters Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) (See attachment summary) Name(s) and Signature(s) of Inspector(s)Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Melanie Kemp DWR/ARO WQ/ - - / Lauren E Armeni DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Mara G Chamlee DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page#1 DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3 4/6/2023 4/6/2023 4/6/2023 NPDES yr/mo/day 23/03/23 Inspection Type C3111218 1 Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Lauren Armeni, Mara Chamlee, and Melanie Kemp, with the Asheville Regional Office, conducted a Compliance Evaluation Inspection of the Laurel Hills Homeowners Association WWTP on March 23, 2023. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0060844. Mr. Mark Teague (ORC - Environmental Inc.) and Mr. Zach Story (Backup ORC in-training - Environmental Inc.) were present and assisted in the inspection. The following items were noted during the inspection: Permit: The permit is missing several of the facility components including the aeration basin and secondary clarifier. Ms. Armeni has contacted Mr. Charles Weaver (NCDEQ Permitting) regarding this issue and he will be adding these components to the final permit once it's issued. The permit is currently under renewal and the renewal application has been submitted. Disinfection - UV: The contact chamber cover is very difficult to lift by one individual, which can inhibit the ability to properly maintain the UV system. It is recommended to replace the lid with one that is lighter and more water-tight. The following compliance issues were noted during the inspection: Bar Screen: The bar screen is not adequately screening debris. This is resulting in an excess of floating solids throughout the plant. It is recommended to install a bar screen with grates that are closer together. Secondary Clarifier: At the time of inspection, one of the two skimmers was operating poorly. This is contributing to the excess floating solids throughout the plant. It is recommended that the skimmer be repaired or replaced. Additionally, because there is some excess grease througout the plant it is recommended to distribute FOG brochures and rag information to residents. NC0060844 17 (Cont.) Page#2 DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3 Permit:NC0060844 Inspection Date:03/23/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Laurel Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation Permit Yes No NA NE (If the present permit expires in 6 months or less). Has the permittee submitted a new application? Is the facility as described in the permit? # Are there any special conditions for the permit? Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? Since the 2018 inspection, a fence has been installed to secure the perimeter of the facility and restrict access to the general public. The permit is missing several of the facility components including the aeration basin and secondary clarifier. The permit is currently under renewal and the renewal application has been submitted. See summary for details. Comment: Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable? Process control parameters include pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and MLSS.Comment: Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Are records kept and maintained as required by the permit? Is all required information readily available, complete and current? Are all records maintained for 3 years (lab. reg. required 5 years)? Are analytical results consistent with data reported on DMRs? Is the chain-of-custody complete? Dates, times and location of sampling Name of individual performing the sampling Results of analysis and calibration Dates of analysis Name of person performing analyses Transported COCs Are DMRs complete: do they include all permit parameters? Has the facility submitted its annual compliance report to users and DWQ? (If the facility is = or > 5 MGD permitted flow) Do they operate 24/7 with a certified operator on each shift? Is the ORC visitation log available and current? Page#3 DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3 Permit:NC0060844 Inspection Date:03/23/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Laurel Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is the ORC certified at grade equal to or higher than the facility classification? Is the backup operator certified at one grade less or greater than the facility classification? Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? Comment: Flow Measurement - Influent Yes No NA NE # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Mr. Teague indicated that they use the well meter as the influent flow measurement.Comment: Bar Screens Yes No NA NE Type of bar screen a.Manual b.Mechanical Are the bars adequately screening debris? Is the screen free of excessive debris? Is disposal of screening in compliance? Is the unit in good condition? The bar screen is a small manual screen that is maintained by hand. At the time of inspection, it was not adequately screening debris. See summary for details. Comment: Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Mode of operation Ext. Air Type of aeration system Diffused Is the basin free of dead spots? Are surface aerators and mixers operational? Are the diffusers operational? Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process? Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin’s surface? Is the DO level acceptable? Page#4 DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3 Permit:NC0060844 Inspection Date:03/23/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Laurel Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Yes No NA NE Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/l) The DO level at the time of inspection was 3.1. The settleability after 30 minutes was 150 mL. Due to the low level of flow that this plant recieves, the sludge present in the plant appears to be older. Comment: Secondary Clarifier Yes No NA NE Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater? Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier? Are weirs level? Is the site free of weir blockage? Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting? Is scum removal adequate? Is the site free of excessive floating sludge? Is the drive unit operational? Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)? Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc? Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately ¼ of the sidewall depth) At the time of inspection, one of the skimmers was not operating properly and is in need of repair. As a result, there are some excess solids, including a few rags and some grease. However, these solids are caught by the tertiary filter. At the time of inspection, the sludge blankel level was around 1' in a 9' deep clarifier. See summary for details. Comment: Aerobic Digester Yes No NA NE Is the capacity adequate? Is the mixing adequate? Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank? # Is the odor acceptable? # Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Mr. Teague indicated that the digester is pumped out twice a year and hauled to the Franklin WWTP. At the time of inspection, the digester had been pumped out two weeks prior. Comment: Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Type of operation:Down flow Is the filter media present? Is the filter surface free of clogging? Page#5 DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3 Permit:NC0060844 Inspection Date:03/23/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Laurel Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation Filtration (High Rate Tertiary)Yes No NA NE Is the filter free of growth? Is the air scour operational? Is the scouring acceptable? Is the clear well free of excessive solids and filter media? The filter media consists of anthracite. Mr. Teague indicated that the media was replaced approximately 5 to 6 years prior to the inspection. Mr. Teague also indicated that there is no air scour present in the filter but there is one backwash pump. The tertiary filter has a backwash basin, and the backwash goes to the head of the plant. Solids within the backwash basin are pumped out when the digester is pumped. Comment: Disinfection - UV Yes No NA NE Are extra UV bulbs available on site? Are UV bulbs clean? Is UV intensity adequate? Is transmittance at or above designed level? Is there a backup system on site? Is effluent clear and free of solids? The UV contact chamber cover has been replaced since the last inspection report indicated it was failing and in need of repair or replacement; however, Mr. Teague stated that the current lid is very heavy and difficult to lift. Mr. Teague indicated that the UV bulbs are cleaned and replaced annually. The backup disinfection system on site is chlorination and dechlorination tablets. See summary for details. Comment: Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? Is sample collected below all treatment units? Is proper volume collected? Is the tubing clean? # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 degrees Celsius)? Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type representative)? The permit requires grab samples.Comment: Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? Page#6 DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3 Permit:NC0060844 Inspection Date:03/23/2023 Owner - Facility: Inspection Type: Laurel Hills WWTP Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Yes No NA NE If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? Is the generator tested under load? Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? There is no permanent generator at the facility. Mr. Teague indicated that if the power were to go out, the well pump supplying water to the homes would also not work, and therefore no additional flow would go to the WWTP during this time. Comment: Page#7 DocuSign Envelope ID: D09C4D8A-D9E7-46A7-BBB9-4C89DC3BD6E3