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Home My WebLink AboutWQ0029346_Notice of Deficiency_20230620ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality June 20, 2023 Delivered electronically via email to: mwestphal(a_brmountainclub.com Mark Westphal, President Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc. P.O. Box 1727 Blowing Rock, NC 28605 SUBJECT: Notice of Deficiency (NOD-2023-PC-0187) Compliance Evaluation Inspection Blue Ridge Mountain Club WWI Permit No. WQ0029346 Watauga County Dear Mr. Westphal: On June 8, 2023, Division of Water Resources staff Caitlin Caudle and Kristen Potwora conducted a routine compliance inspection. Dale Holman, ORC, was present during the entire inspection. A review of the treatment system, storage facility, irrigation system, records, and one lift station was completed. This review reflected non-compliance with the subject permit. The following deficiencies were noted: At the time of inspection, the following items were noted: a. A pump in the anoxic ditch had stopped working. Mr. Holman was using a smaller submersible pump until a replacement pump is delivered. b. The floats in the influent pump station have repeatedly been untangled from the pump stands. At the time of inspection, the operational floats were tangled around the pump stands, preventing correct operation of the floats. The high-water float was able to still operate as designed. Mr. Holman is waiting for the electrician to move the float tree. This was also noted as an item of concern in correspondence dated June 3, 2022. c. To date, the freeboard marker has not been remarked to reflect the requirements of Permit Condition 111.14, where inch or tenth of a foot increments are marked. This was also noted in correspondence dated June 3, 2022. 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 d. The gasket around the irrigation flow meter was leaking while the disc filters were being backwashed. A similar leak was also noted in correspondence dated June 3, 2022. e. At the time of inspection, there was one hole at the top of the storage pond liner. The hole was along a seam of this liner. Please repair the liner as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration. Per Permit Condition V.1, the Permittee shall perform inspection and maintenance to ensure proper operation of the wastewater treatment and irrigation facilities. Please resolve or repair all items listed above. The following item of concern was noted: • This Office has concerns about existing storage capacity with the increased development in the community and current irrigation capabilities. Based on a review of monthly reports, there is only two foot of available storage in the storage pond. The storage pond is partially surrounded by trees, which introduce debris into the storage pond. Mr. Holman stated that a sludge survey of the storage pond has not been completed in the past ten years. This Office recommends that a sludge survey be completed to determine if a clean out is necessary to return the storage pond to normal operation. Ms. Caudle can be contacted for additional information about completing a sludge survey. Please refer to the enclosed inspection report for additional comments and observations. If you have any questions, please contact me or Ms. Caudle at the letterhead address and phone number, or by email at jenny.graznak(a�deg.ncgov or Caitlin.caudle(a_deg.nc.gov. Sincerely, Docu Signed by, '�-. -'!"d ,k. OD2D3CE3F1 B7456... Jennifer F. Graznak, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ-WSRO Enc: Inspection Report Cc: Dale Holman, ORC (electronic copy) Patrick Warren, Engineer (electronic copy) 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 Comoliance Insoection Resort Permit: WQ0029346 Effective: 11/14/22 Expiration: 02/28/29 Owner: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc SOC: Effective: Expiration: Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club WWTP County: Watauga 493 Triplett Rd Region: Winston-Salem Ferguson NC 28624 Contact Person: Mark Westphal Directions to Facility: System Classifications: SI, Primary ORC: Secondary ORC(s): On -Site Representative(s): Related Permits: Title: President Certification: Phone: 828-295-8667 Phone: WQCSD0751 Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc - Blue Ridge Mountain Club Wastewater Collection System Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Entry Time 10:OOAM Exit Time: 12:20PM Primary Inspector: Caitlin C udfle��llll°S 9"ed b"' Phone: 336-776-9699 Secondary Inspector(s): uwuv, l&L&D& 8B834968199D49D... 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 Record Keeping Treatment Activated Sludge Treatment Sludge Storage/Treatment End Use -Irrigation Treatment Influent Pump Station Treatment Clarifiers Treatment Disinfection Treatment Flow Measurement Storage Standby Power Wells (See attachment summary) Page 1 of 10 Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Inspection Summary: On June 8, 2023, Division of Water Resources staff Caitlin Caudle and Kristen Potwora conducted a routine compliance inspection. Dale Holman, ORC, was present during the entire inspection. A review of the treatment system, storage facility, irrigation system, records, and one lift station was completed. This review reflected non-compliance with the subject permit. The following deficiencies were noted: At the time of inspection, the following items were noted: a. A pump in the anoxic ditch had stopped working. Mr. Holman was using a smaller submersible pump until a replacement pump is delivered. b. The floats in the influent pump station have repeatedly been untangled from the pump stands. At the time of inspection, the operational floats were tangled around the pump stands, preventing correct operation of the floats. The high-water float was able to still operate as designed. Mr. Holman is waiting for the electrician to move the float tree. This was also noted as an item of concern in correspondence dated June 3, 2022. c. To date, the freeboard marker has not been remarked to reflect the requirements of Permit Condition 111.14, where inch of tenth of a foot increments are marked. This was also noted in correspondence dated June 3, 2022. d. The gasket around the irrigation flow meter was leaking while the disc filters were being backwashed. A similar leak was also noted in correspondence dated June 3, 2022. e. At the time of inspection, there was one hole at the top of the storage pond liner. The hole was along a seam of this liner. Please repair the liner as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration. Per Permit Condition V.1, the Permittee shall perform inspection and maintenance to ensure proper operation of the wastewater treatment and irrigation facilities. Please resolve or repair all items listed above. The following item of concern was noted: • This Office has concerns about existing storage capacity with the increased development in the community and current irrigation capabilities. Based on a review of monthly reports, there is only two foot of available storage in the storage pond. The storage pond is partially surrounded by trees, which introduce debris into the storage pond. Mr. Holman stated that a sludge survey of the storage pond has not been completed in the past ten years. This Office recommends that a sludge survey be completed to determine if a clean out is necessary to return the storage pond to normal operation. Ms. Caudle can be contacted for additional information about completing a sludge survey. Other observations: • Influent pump station ❑ EQ basin ❑ Anoxic chambers ❑ Oxidation ditch ❑ Clarifier ❑ CCC ❑ Lagoon. OR ❑ Clarifier C' Aerated sludge basin ❑ Sludge removal • The deemed collection system (WQCSD0751) was not reviewed. This will be done next inspection. • Z2 and Z4 had high flow warnings, but irrigation was still even between all zones. Z1 was dosed while reviewing the PercRite system. • More land within the community is being cleared for townhouses and a pool. There are currently 250-300 connections. • Lift Station 49 was reviewed. This lift station is the final lift station before wastewater is transferred to the influent pump station. Both pumps were operational, and the lift station was in good condition. • Irrigation calibration has not been completed for this permit cycle. • In February 2023, effluent nitrate concentration exceeded 10mg/L (2L groundwater standard). • Soil sampling was completed on 12/16/2022. • Residuals are hauled from the WWTP about every three months. • Some solids were floating in the clarifier, and in the weirs. The skimmer was operational. • Duckweed was covering the storage pond. • On 6/8/2023 Ms. Caudle emailed Patrick Warren, Engineer, about the status of the BUORC and notified him that Mr. Holman needed to be designated for the WW3 classification as well. On 6/19/2023 Mr. Holman provided Ms. Caudle the designation forms. An ORC and BUORC was designated for both the WW3 and SI classifications. Page 2 of 10 Permit: WQ0029346 Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Type Yes No NA NE Reuse (Quality) ❑ Infiltration System ❑ Lagoon Spray, LR ❑ Single Family Spray, LR ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, HR ❑ Activated Sludge Drip, LR ❑ Single Family Drip ❑ Recycle/Reuse ❑ Activated Sludge Spray, 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 Influent Pump Station Yes No NA NE Is the pump station free of bypass lines or structures? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ 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 Page 3 of 10 Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is water use metered? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are the daily average values properly calculated? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Treatment Flow Measurement -Effluent Yes No NA NE Is flowmeter calibrated annually? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is flowmeter operating properly? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter monitor continuously? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter record flow? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Does flowmeter appear to monitor accurately? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is generator tested weekly by interrupting primary power source? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is generator operable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Does generator have adequate fuel? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are Settleometer results acceptable? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is activated sludge an acceptable color? ❑ ❑ ❑ •AZT17, 17-XiU Treatment Clarifiers Yes No NA NE Are the weirs level? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are the weirs free of solids and algae? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scum removal system operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the scum removal system accessible? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 4 of 10 Permit: WO0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is the sludge blanket at an acceptable level? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the effluent from the clarifier free of excessive solids? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ 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)? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 5 of 10 Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Are all samples analyzed for all required parameters? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are there any 2L GW quality violations? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is GW-59A certification form completed for facility? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is effluent sampled for same parameters as GW? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Do effluent concentrations exceed GW standards? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are annual soil reports available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Are PAN records required? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Did last soil report indicate a need for lime? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If so, has it been applied? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are operational logs present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are lab sheets available for review? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do lab sheets support data reported on NDMR? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Do lab sheets support data reported on GW-59s? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are Operational and Maintenance records present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Were Operational and Maintenance records complete? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Has permittee been free of public complaints in last 12 months? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is a copy of the SOC readily available? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ No treatment units bypassed since last inspection? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: See summary. End Use -Irrigation Yes No NA NE Are buffers adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the cover crop type specified in permit? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the crop cover acceptable? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the site condition adequate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 6 of 10 Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Are GW monitoring wells properly constructed, including screened interval? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are monitoring wells damaged? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: See summary. BIMS001452 Location Yes No NA NE Distance from septic tank & drainfield (feet) Distance from other waste disposal/collection (feet) 75 Comment Distance from other pollution source (feet) Comment Is well location subject to flooding? ❑ ❑ ❑ Minimum distance to property boundary (ft) 109 Comment: See summary. Casing Yes No NA NE Type Depth (ft b.l.$) (Decimal range, e.g. 15.5 to 25.5 ft) Weight/thickness Height (A.L.S) Comment: Grout Yes No NA NE Type Thickness Depth (Decimal range, e.g. 15.5 to 25.5 ft) Comment: Screens Yes No NA NE Screened or Open Borehole Completion? Screened/open borehole interval (ft b.l.$) Comment: ID Plate Yes No NA NE ID Plate present & properly completed? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Well Contractor indicated on ID Plate? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Wellhead Completion Yes No NA NE Access port present? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 7 of 10 Permit: WO0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Spigot present? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Suction Line meets standards? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: Tee (jet) meets standards? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ If naturally flowing well, is flow valved? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Vent meets standards? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Watertight pipe entry meets standards? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Well Entry meets standards? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Pitless adaptor (if used) meets standards? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Well enclosure meets standards? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Infuent (water source) sampling port present and labeled? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Effluent (injected fluid) sampling port present and labeled? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Pump Installation Yes No NA NE Pump Contractor ID plate present? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Date pump installed Pump installation violations, if any Comment: Disinfection Yes No NA NE Disinfection in compliance with standards? ❑ ❑ ❑ Describe disinfection if observed Comment: Fluids/Additives Yes No NA NE Type Comment: Development Yes No NA NE Turbidity Comment: Abandonment Yes No NA NE Temporary abandonment completed such that well cannot be accessed without use of tools? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Permanently abandonment completed in accordance with applicable rules? Well abandonment comments Comment: GW-1/30 Construction Record Yes No NA NE Well construction/abandonment record submitted? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 8 of 10 Permit: WQ0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Comment: Sampling Yes No NA NE INFLUENT (water source) lab sample ID # EFFLUENT (injected fluid) lab sample ID # Comment: System Operation Yes No NA NE Is same well used as source well and injection well? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is injection well capable of assimilating injected fluid? ❑ ❑ ❑ Has system owner/operator noticed any abnormalities (turbidity, air in system, poor heating/cooling, etc) in ❑ ❑ ❑ system operation? Comment on system operation ❑ ❑ ❑ Is system operation and construction consistent with that described in application? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ STORAGE POND Storage Yes No NA NE Storage Type? Pond Gallons Storage amount? 985500 # At what point is side -stream wastewater returned to treatment? Is there a Spill Control Plan? ❑ ❑ ❑ Aerated or Mixed? NONE 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Liner Type Full, synthetic Is liner acceptable? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are baffles/curtains acceptable? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Does the pond have a freeboard marker? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Required freeboard? 2 Feet Actual freeboard? 3 Feet Is there suitable grassed vegetation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the vegetation maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Page 9 of 10 Permit: WO0029346 Owner - Facility: Blue Ridge Mountain Club Property Owners Association Inc Inspection Date: 06/08/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Reason for Visit: Routine Is the area free of excessive weeds and/or woody species? 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? Comment: See summary. Page 10 of 10