NC0020567_CEI_Letter_20230908

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
September 131h, 2023
Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority
Attn: Nicole Johnston, Executive Director
P.O. Box 828
Elkn, NC 28621
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant
NPDES Permit Number: NCO020567
Surry County
Dear Ms. Johnston:
On August 30th, 2023, Division of Water Resources staff, Ron Boone, conducted a routine compliance
evaluation inspection at the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant, NPDES permit
NC0020567. Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), Hal Transou, was present during the inspection. A
review of records, data, treatment components, structures, and the outfall was completed.
No violations, deficiencies, or concerns were noted during the inspection.
You are reminded that, pursuant to NC General Statute (NCGS) 143-215.6A, the NC Division of Water
Resources may assess civil penalties not to exceed $25,000 per day, per violation against any individual
who violates NCGS 143-215.1, or any permit issued pursuant to it.
Please feel free to contact Mr. Boone by phone at 336.776.9690, or by email at [e-mail],
with any questions or concerns you may have.
Sincerely,
DocuSiT<
gned by:
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Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Attachments:
Water Compliance Inspection Report
cc: Hal Transou, ORC, via email
DffNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
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Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
M336.776.9800
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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 NC0020567 111 121 23/08/30 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)
10:OOAM 23/08/30
20/08/01
Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority WWTP
211 Marion Rd
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
Elkin NC 28621
12:OOPM 23/08/30
24/01/31
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Hal W Transou/ORC/336-835-9819/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Hal Transou, //336-835-9817/
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 Docusigned by: DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9690/
9/15/2023
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Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Docusigned by:
EPA�F`orM59Mfd?1'N , 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type
NCO020567 I11 12I 23/08/30 117 18 i c i
(Cont.)
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On August 30th, 2023, Division of Water Resources staff, Ron Boone, conducted a routine
compliance evaluation inspection at the Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant,
NPDES permit NC0020567. Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), Hal Transou, was present during
the inspection. A review of records, data, treatment components, structures, and the outfall was
completed. This inspection reflected compliance with the subject permit.
Discharge monitoring reports, laboratory reports, chain of custodies, operator's visitation logs,
laboratory records, and operation and maintenance records were reviewed. All documentation
appears to be maintained on site at the plant as required by the permit. No discrepancies or
transcription errors, or other documentation errors were noted.
The plant appears to be well maintained and operated. The bar screen and grit removal processes
appear to be in good condition and operating effectively. There appears to be little organic matter in
the grit. Both the screenings and grit are landfilled.
The mixed liquor in the aeration basin appears very healthy and imparts a pungent earthy odor. Air is
very well diffused throughout the basin. The structure itself appears to be in very good condition.
The clarifiers appear to be operating well. There is very little floating scum/solids and weir carryover.
The weirs appear level and the sludge blanket is only about 2.5' deep. The structures themselves
appear to be in very good condition.
The plant uses chlorine gas for disinfection and sulfur dioxide gas for dechlorination. Both gases are
stored in the same building. The plant uses 150-pound bottles of both chemicals, and they are all
properly stored by anchoring them to the wall. Chlorine is injected near the beginning of the contact
chamber and sulfur dioxide near the end.
The flow meter, which was last calibrated in March 2023, is installed at the end of the contact
chamber, after dechlorination. The effluent sampler pulls flow proportional composite samples at this
point.
Sludge is digested in an aerobic digester, and the plant has two sludge holding tanks from which it is
drawn and trucked off to be land applied. The plant does have sludge drying beds that are only used
for depositing loads of wastewater from the collection system or other sources. Filtrate from the beds
flows back to the head of the plant.
The plant's generator operates the entire plant and is run for exercise weekly.
The plant is well secured, clean, and no hazards were detected during the inspection.
No concerns, deficiencies, or violations were noted during the inspection.
Page#

Permit: NCO020567 Owner -Facility: Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/30/2023 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? ❑
0
❑
❑
# Are there any special conditions for the permit? ❑
0
❑
❑
Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public? 0
❑
❑
❑
Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection? 0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Primary clarifiers and trickling filters no longer exist and should be removed from the
plant description in the permit. The town should eliminate these units from the plant
description in the next permit renewal application to have them removed from the
permit's plant description.
Record Keeping
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: None
Yes No NA NE
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Page# 3

Permit: NCO020567 Owner -Facility: Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/30/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Laboratory
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are field parameters performed by certified personnel or laboratory?
■
❑
❑
❑
Are all other parameters(excluding field parameters) performed by a certified lab?
■
❑
❑
❑
# 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
Influent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is composite sampling flow proportional?
❑
■
❑
❑
Is sample collected above side streams?
■
❑
❑
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Is proper volume collected?
■
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Is the tubing clean?
■
❑
❑
❑
# Is proper temperature set for sample storage (kept at less than or equal to 6.0
■
❑
❑
❑
degrees Celsius)?
Is sampling performed according to the permit?
■
❑
❑
❑
Comment: None
Effluent Sampling
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is proper volume collected?
■
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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)?
Comment: None
Upstream / Downstream Sampling Yes No NA NE
Is the facility sampling performed as required by the permit (frequency, sampling type, ■ ❑ ❑ ❑
and sampling location)?
Comment: None
Page# 4

Permit: NCO020567 Owner -Facility: Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/30/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
❑
b.Mechanical
Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the screen free of excessive debris?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is disposal of screening in compliance?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the unit in good condition?
❑
❑
❑
Comment: None
Grit Removal
Yes
No
NA
NE
Type of grit removal
a.Manual
❑
b.Mechanical
Is the grit free of excessive organic matter?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the grit free of excessive odor?
■
❑
❑
❑
# Is disposal of grit in compliance?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: None
Aeration Basins
Yes No
NA
NE
Mode of operation
Ext. Air
Type of aeration system
Diffused
Is the basin free of dead spots?
0 ❑
❑
❑
Are surface aerators and mixers operational?
❑ ❑
■
❑
Are the diffusers operational?
0 ❑
❑
❑
Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
0 ❑
❑
❑
Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface?
❑ ■
❑
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Is the DO level acceptable?
❑ ❑
❑
Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1)
❑ ❑
❑
Comment: Basin has lots of foam, probably 80 to 90 percent coverage. Efforts to reduce foam by
adding chemicals upstream of plant have so far been unfruitful. Mixed liquor looks very
healthy and the foam does not appear to be affecting
the rest of the process. Effluent
appears excellent quality.
Secondary Clarifier
Yes No NA NE
Page# 5

Permit: NCO020567 Owner -Facility: Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority WWTP
Inspection Date: 08/30/2023 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Secondary Clarifier
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are weirs level?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of weir blockage?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of evidence of short-circuiting?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is scum removal adequate?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive floating sludge?
■
❑
❑
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Is the drive unit operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the return rate acceptable (low turbulence)?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the overflow clear of excessive solids/pin floc?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the sludge blanket level acceptable? (Approximately'/4 of the sidewall depth)
■
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Sludge blanket was about 2.5'.
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are pumps in place?
■
❑
❑
❑
Are pumps operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: None
Disinfection -Gas
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are cylinders secured adequately?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are cylinders protected from direct sunlight?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is there adequate reserve supply of disinfectant?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is the level of chlorine residual acceptable?
❑
❑
❑
Is the contact chamber free of growth, or sludge buildup?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is there chlorine residual prior to de -chlorination?
❑
❑
❑
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: None
Page# 6

Permit: NCO020567 Owner -Facility:
Inspection Date: 08/30/2023 Inspection Type:
Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
De -chlorination
Yes
No
NA
NE
Type of system ?
Gas
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
❑
0
❑
❑
Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are the tablets the proper size and type?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: Sulfur dioxide used for dechlorination.
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational?
❑
❑
0
❑
Number of tubes in use?
Comment: None
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is flow meter calibrated annually?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the flow meter operational?
0
❑
❑
❑
(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: Last calibrated in March 2023.
Effluent Pipe
Yes
No
NA NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
0
❑
❑
❑
Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
M
❑
❑
❑
If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
❑
❑
0
❑
Comment: The permittee could cut back vegetation around the outfall into the Yadkin River a bit
more to make it more accessible and visible from the shore.
Aerobic Digester
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the capacity adequate?
0
❑
❑
❑
Is the mixing adequate?
■
❑
❑
❑
Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is the odor acceptable?
0
❑
❑
❑
# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
0
❑
❑
❑
Comment: None
Drying Beds Yes No NA NE
Page# 7

Permit: NCO020567
Inspection Date: 08/30/2023
Drying Beds
Is there adequate drying bed space?
Is the sludge distribution on drying beds appropriate?
Owner -Facility: Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Are the drying beds free of vegetation?
# Is the site free of dry sludge remaining in beds?
Is the site free of stockpiled sludge?
Is the filtrate from sludge drying beds returned to the front of the plant?
# Is the sludge disposed of through county landfill?
# Is the sludge land applied?
(Vacuum filters) Is polymer mixing adequate?
Comment: Drying beds are no longer used for drying sludge.
Yes
No
NA
NE
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Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE
Is the plant generally clean with acceptable housekeeping? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the facility analyze process control parameters, for ex: MLSS, MCRT, Settleable ❑ ❑ ❑
Solids, pH, DO, Sludge Judge, and other that are applicable?
Comment: pH, DO, temperature, sludge judge, MLSS, settleable solids, etc
Standby Power
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?
Comment: None
Yes No NA NE
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Page# 8