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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNC0057720_NOI_NOV2023PC0069_20230629ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality June 29, 2023 CERTIFIED MAIL # 7020 3160 0002 0860 6184 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Jones Estate Hidden Lakes, LLC Attn: Kellen Buss, Director of Site Infrastructure 2310 Miami Blvd, Suite 238 Durham, NC 27703 Subject: NOTICE OF CONTINUING & ADDITIONAL VIOLATIONS and RECOMMENDATION FOR ENFORCEMENT NOV Tracking #: NOV-2023-PC-0069 Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park WWTP NPDES Permit #: NCO057720 Stokes County Dear Mr. Buss: On January 19, 2023, Division of Water Resources/Winston-Salem Regional Office (NCDWR/WSRO) staff inspected the Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park Wastewater Treatment Plant. This inspection resulted in several violations as detailed in the table below: PERMIT VIOLATIONS: 1. There is currently no bar screen installed or operational in the treatment system. Multiple system components (including diffusers, blowers, chlorinator, and dechlorinator) are either not present or insufficient. There is an uncontained leak in the pipe going from the post -chlorination tank to the meter well. This is in violation of the subject permit condition Part 11, Section C, Paragraph 2. 2. There are no adequate safeguards (including standby power) to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes during electrical power failures for the facility. This is in violation of the subject permit condition Part 11, Section C, Paragraph 7. 3. Data records prior to July 2022 were not available at the time of inspection. This is in violation of Part 11, Section D, Paragraph 6. 4. Records for the flow meter were not available on -site during the inspection. All records, including those pertaining to installation, calibration, and maintenance, should be retained and readily available on -site as stipulated in permit conditions Part 11, Section D, Paragraphs 3 and 6. On May 22, 2023, NCDWR/WSRO staff conducted a follow-up inspection. This inspection reflected continuing non-compliance, in addition to new violations, as detailed in the table below: e:!ar::f NORTH CAROLINAD QI � 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 336.776.9800 PERMIT VIOLATIONS: 1. The bar screen, chlorinator, and dechlorinator are all still missing from the plant. Removal of these processes, without adequate equivalent replacements, capable of providing comparable treatment, was not authorized by the NCDWR as required by Part 11, Section E, Paragraph 2, of the permit, as well as NC General Statute (NCGS) 143-215.1(a)(3). Furthermore, as noted in the January 2023 inspection, it is also a violation of Part 11, Section C, Paragraph 2, of the permit. The operator uses a single tube each for chlorination and dechlorination that is only leaning against the wall of the component it has been placed in. 2. There are still no adequate safeguards (including standby power) to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes during electrical power failures for the facility, in violation of Part 11, Section C, Paragraph 7. 3. Data records prior to July 2022 were still not available at the time of inspection, in violation of Part 11, Section D, Paragraph 6. 4. The flow meter was installed in early 2022. The meter has been installed longer than a year and still has not been calibrated. The operator stated that they cannot find someone to calibrate it. This violates Part 11, Section D. Paragraph 3. 5. Corrosion and disrepair of treatment units is a violation of Part 11, Section C, Paragraph 2, of the permit, as detailed below: a. The aeration basin has severe corrosion. b. The air header and laterals are in very poor condition and were observed to provide insufficient air diffusion throughout the tank. c. The clarifiers have severe corrosion. The inlet/scum box on the southern clarifier is so overgrown with weeds that have taken root in the scum layer that you cannot see the box. The northern clarifier's inlet/scum box is visible but only about 50 percent of the original structure remains due to corrosion, allowing the scum to flow right back into the clarifier. d. The sludge holding tank has two large open holes in it just above the level of the current inlet pipe. Sludge could flow out onto the ground, and possibly to the stream, if it reaches the level of these holes. You are reminded that in accordance with NC General Statute 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) may be assessed by the Secretary of the Division of Water Resources against any person who is required but fails to apply for or to secure a permit required by NCGS 143-215.1, or who violates or fails to act in accordance with the terms, conditions, ore requirements of such permit. As such you must take immediate steps to correct the violations noted above. Please reply in writing to this notice within 10 days of receiving it. Your written response should detail the corrective actions you have taken and/or plan to take to correct each of the listed violations. If you anticipate corrective actions taking longer than 10 days, you must provide an estimated completion date for each corrective action that takes longer than 10 days to complete. Failure to reply in writing, as directed, or to satisfactorily correct the listed violations, may result in a recommendation by this office to proceed with the above - mentioned enforcement procedures. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources RE; QWinston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 NORTH CAHOJNA 336.776.9800 If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Boone by phone at 336.776.9690 or by email at ron.boone@deg.nc.gov. Thank you for your time and immediate attention to these issues. Sincerely, DocuSiTgned by: %A. l . 5,,. Gr 145B49E225C94EA... Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Winston-Salem Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachments: 1. Compliance Inspection Report North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources RE; QWinston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105 NORTH CAROLINA 336.776.9800 nepe .mo F.o. a wquay United States Environmental Protection Agency Form Approved. EPA Washington, D.C. 20460 OMB No. 2040-0057 Water Compliance Inspection Report 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 IN 1 2 u 3 I NCO057720 111 121 23/05/22 I17 18 LC] I 19 I s I 201 21111I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I r6 Inspection Work Days Facility Self -Monitoring Evaluation Rating B1 QA ---------------------- Reserved ------------------- 67 I 72 I ni I 71 I 74 79 I I I I I I I80 701 I 71 I LL -1 I I LJ Section B: Facility Data Name and Location of Facility Inspected (For Industrial Users discharging to POTW, also include Entry Time/Date Permit Effective Date POTW name and NPDES Dermit Number) 11:00AM 23/05/22 22/10/01 Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park WWTP 1020 Twin Lakes Dr Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date King NC 27021 12:OOPM 23/05/22 27/02/28 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Randall Keith Bel 1/0RC/336-373-7514/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Kellen P Buss,2310 S Miami Blvd Ste 238 Durham NC 27703/Director of Site I nfranstructure/419-357-9091 / No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Sludge Handling Dispo: Facility Site Review Effluent/Receiving Wate Laboratory 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 Ron Boone DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9690/ cuSigned by: naecl 6/29/2023 L;�-R FeeeS Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date DocuSigned by: 6/29/2023 ti T. F 145B49E225C94EA... EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCO057720 I11 12I 23/05/22 117 18 ici cJ (Cont.) Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On January 19, 2023, Division of Water Resources/Winston-Salem Regional Office (NCDWR/WSRO) staff inspected the Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park Wastewater Treatment Plant. This inspection resulted in several violations as detailed in the table below: PERMIT VIOLATIONS: 1. There is currently no bar screen installed or operational in the treatment system. Multiple system components (including diffusers, blowers, chlorinator, and dechlorinator) are either not present or insufficient. There is an uncontained leak in the pipe going from the post -chlorination tank to the meter well. This is in violation of the subject permit condition Part II, Section C, Paragraph 2. 2. There are no adequate safeguards (including standby power) to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes during electrical power failures for the facility. This is in violation of the subject permit condition Part II, Section C, Paragraph 7. 3. Data records prior to July 2022 were not available at the time of inspection. This is in violation of Part II, Section D, Paragraph 6. 4. Records for the flow meter were not available on -site during the inspection. All records, including those pertaining to installation, calibration, and maintenance, should be retained and readily available on -site as stipulated in permit conditions Part II, Section D, Paragraphs 3 and 6. On May 22, 2023, NCDWR/WSRO staff conducted a follow-up inspection. This inspection reflected continuing non-compliance, in addition to new violations, as detailed in the table below: PERMIT VIOLATIONS: 1. The bar screen, chlorinator, and dechlorinator are all still missing from the plant. Removal of these processes, without adequate equivalent replacements, capable of providing comparable treatment, was not authorized by the NCDWR as required by Part II, Section E, Paragraph 2, of the permit, as well as NC General Statute (NCGS) 143-215.1(a)(3). Furthermore, as noted in the January 2023 inspection, it is also a violation of Part II, Section C, Paragraph 2, of the permit. The operator uses a single tube each for chlorination and dechlorination that is only leaning against the wall of the component it has been placed in. 2. There are still no adequate safeguards (including standby power) to prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastes during electrical power failures for the facility, in violation of Part II, Section C, Paragraph 7. 3. Data records prior to July 2022 were still not available at the time of inspection, in violation of Part II, Section D, Paragraph 6. 4. The flow meter was installed in early 2022. The meter has been installed longer than a year and still has not been calibrated. The operator stated that they cannot find someone to calibrate it. This violates Part II, Section D. Paragraph 3. 5. Corrosion and disrepair of treatment units is a violation of Part II, Section C, Paragraph 2, of the permit, as detailed below: a. The aeration basin has severe corrosion. b. The air header and laterals are in very poor condition and were observed to provide insufficient air diffusion throughout the tank. c. The clarifiers have severe corrosion. The inlet/scum box on the southern clarifier is so overgrown with weeds that have taken root in the scum layer that you cannot see the box. The northern clarifier's inlet/scum box is visible but only about 50 percent of the original structure remains due to corrosion, allowing the scum to flow right back into the clarifier. d. The sludge holding tank has two large open holes in it just above the level of the current inlet pipe. Sludge could flow out onto the ground, and possibly to the stream, if it reaches the level of these holes. Page# Permit: NCO057720 Owner -Facility: Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park) Inspection Date: 05/22/2023 Inspection Type: 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? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Bar screen, chlorinator, and dechlorinator units are all missing. No screening is being done and chlorination and dechlorination are only occurring using single tablet tubes placed in flow channels that facilitate only minimal contact with the wastewater, bringing into question the effectiveness of the chlorination and dechlorination processes in current use. 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ 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: Lab records and DMRs were NOT reviewed during this inspection. Page# 3 Permit: NCO057720 Owner -Facility: Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park) Inspection Date: 05/22/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Laboratory Yes No NA NE Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the facility using a contract lab? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0 ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ degrees Celsius)? Incubator (Fecal Coliform) set to 44.5 degrees Celsius+/- 0.2 degrees? ❑ ❑ ❑ Incubator (BOD) set to 20.0 degrees Celsius +/- 1.0 degrees? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: None Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is sample collected below all treatment units? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is proper volume collected? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is the tubing clean? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # 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)? Comment: Samples are taken at effluent weir. Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ and sampling location)? Comment: None Bar Screens Type of bar screen Yes No NA NE a.Manual ❑ b.Mechanical ❑ Are the bars adequately screening debris? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the screen free of excessive debris? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Is disposal of screening in compliance? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Is the unit in good condition? ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ Comment: The bar screen has been removed from the process without authorization to do so from the Division. Page# 4 Permit: NCO057720 Inspection Date: 05/22/2023 Bar Screens Owner -Facility: Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park) Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Aeration Basins Mode of operation Type of aeration system 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? Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/I) Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE Ext. Air Diffused ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: The air header and laterals are in very poor condition and provide little air diffusion throughout the tank. The basin itself is severely corroded. Secondary Clarifier 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'/4 of the sidewall depth) Comment: The clarifier has severe corrosion. Pumps-RAS-WAS Are pumps in place? Are pumps operational? Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site? Comment: None Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 5 Permit: NC0057720 Inspection Date: 05/22/2023 Flow Measurement - Effluent # Is flow meter used for reporting? Is flow meter calibrated annually? Owner -Facility: Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park) Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Is the flow meter operational? (If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter? Comment: The flow meter still has not been calibrated. According to the someone to calibrate it. Disinfection -Tablet Are tablet chlorinators operational? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Number of tubes in use? Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable? Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup? Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ thev cannot find Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ 1 ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Comment: The chlorinator has been completely removed from the plant without authorization from the Division. The operator only uses a single chlorinator tablet tube that he fills with tablets and places somewhere in the flow pattern after the clarifier's weir. The thoroughness of contact with flow as well as contact time is highly questionable. De -chlorination Type of system ? Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? Is storage appropriate for cylinders? # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? Are the tablets the proper size and type? Comment: None Yes No NA NE Tablet ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 1 Comment: The dechlorinator has been completely removed from the plant without authorization from the Division. The operator only uses a single dechlorinator tablet tube that he fills with tablets and places somewhere in the flow pattern after the clarifier's weir. The thoroughness of contact with flow, and therefore the effectiveness of the dechlorination, is highly questionable . Effluent Pipe Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6 Permit: NCO057720 Inspection Date: 05/22/2023 Owner -Facility: Hidden Lakes Village Mobile Home Park) Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Effluent Pipe Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris? If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? Comment: Pipe is difficult to access. Samples are currently taken at the effluent weir. Anaerobic Digester Type of operation: Is the capacity adequate? # Is gas stored on site? Is the digester(s) free of tilting covers? Is the gas burner operational? Is the digester heated? Is the temperature maintained constantly? Is tankage available for properly waste sludge? Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE No cover ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: This is just a sludge holding tank. It is not aerated. There are two large open holes in the tank that need to be permanently sealed. Otherwise, sludge will freely flow out of the tank onto the ground if it reaches the level of these holes. Operations & Maintenance 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: The entire plant is severely corroded and in poor condition. Units that have broken in the past have not been properly fixed or replaced, therefore bringing into question whether sufficient treatment is taking place. Page# 7