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Home My WebLink AboutNCG590019_Compliance Evaluation Inspection_20240209ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Vicki Caudle Town of Ramseur PO Box 545 Ramseur, NC 27316-0545 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality February 09, 2024 SUBJECT: COMPLIANCE EVALUATION INSPECTION AND NOTICE OF VIOLATION Tracking Number: NOV-2024-PC-0103 Permit No. NCG590019 Ramseur WTP Randolph County Dear Ms. Caudle: On January 17, 2024, Division of Water Resources (DWR) Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO) staff Jesse Barnes conducted a routine compliance evaluation inspection at the Ramseur WTP in reference to NPDES general permit NCG590000 and certificate of coverage NCG590019. ORC Terry Lewallen and Utilities Director Jason Helton were present during the inspection. A review of the subject permit, records, data, laboratory, treatment components, sampling methods, outfall area, operations, and maintenance was completed. This review reflected noncompliance with the subject permit. The determined permit violations and items of concern are listed below. Inspection findings are detailed in the attached Water Compliance Inspection Report. Permit Violations According to DWR records, a Back-up ORC has not been properly designated and reported to the Division. Part II, Section C. (1.) (b.) of the subject permit requires the permit owner to designate at least one Back-up ORC who possesses a valid certificate of the type of system and no more than one grade less than the grade of the system. Please complete and submit the attached ORC Designation Form with the required Back-up ORC information. Items of Concern Field laboratory parameters have been performed by the Ramseur WTP field lab (NC certified lab #5270), but this information has not been listed on discharge monitoring reports (DMRs). Please list all certified labs used during each month on future DMRs. Plans or measures should be taken to address the indicated violation(s) and/or item(s) of concern, if applicable. Please be aware that the Division may take enforcement action against any individual who fails to comply with the requirements of all applicable permits, regulations, and/or statutes. Pursuant to NC General Statute (NCGS) 143-215.6A, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) may be assessed against any person who violates or fails to act in D 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 Moan caaouNn 336.776.9800 oep.m.m or em�nmen� Qualm accordance with the terms, conditions, or requirements of any permit, or applicable regulations, issued pursuant to G.S. 143-215.1. If you have questions or concerns, contact Jesse Barnes by phone at 336-776-9701 or by email at iesse.barnes@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, DocuSigned by: OD2D3CE3F1 B7456... Jennifer F. Graznak, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Winston-Salem Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Attachments: 1. Water Compliance Inspection Report, NCG590019 2. ORC Designation Form REQ� North Carolina Department ofEnvironmental Quality I Division ofWater Resources Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 1 Raleigh, North Carolina 27105 NORTH CAROLINA 336.776.9800 naparMeM of EmironmanW 9uallly 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 NCG590019 I11 121 24/01/17 I17 18I � I 19 I s I 20L] 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 n, 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) 12:OOPM 24/01/17 19/09/01 Ramseur WTP 797 NC Hwy 22 N Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Franklinville NC 27248 01:OOPM 24/01/17 24/07/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Terry Cheyenne Lewallen/ORC/336-824-3939/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Vicki Caudle,PO Box 545 Ramseur NC 273160545/Mayor/336-824-4111/ No Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran 0 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 Jesse Barnes Docusigned by: DWR/WSRO WQ/336-776-9701/ 2/9/2024 � 5 Ba4~0' E 41797473D3194ED... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date Docusigned by: DWR/WSRo 336-776-9695 2/9/2024 '---OD2D3CE3F 1 B7456_. EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type NCG590019 I11 12I 24/01/17 117 18 ici cJ (Cont.) Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) On January 17, 2024, Division of Water Resources (DWR) Winston-Salem Regional Office (WSRO) staff Jesse Barnes conducted a routine compliance evaluation inspection at the Ramseur WTP in reference to NPDES general permit NCG590000 and certificate of coverage NCG590019. ORC Terry Lewallen and Utilities Director Jason Helton were present during the inspection. A review of the subject permit, records, data, laboratory, treatment components, sampling methods, outfall area, operations, and maintenance was completed. This review reflected noncompliance with the subject permit. The determined permit violations and items of concern are listed below. Inspection findings are detailed in the attached Water Compliance Inspection Report. Permit Violations: 1. According to DWR records, a Back-up ORC has not been properly designated and reported to the Division. Part II, Section C. (1.) (b.) of the subject permit requires the permit owner to designate at least one Back-up ORC who possesses a valid certificate of the type of system and no more than one grade less than the grade of the system. Please complete and submit the attached ORC Designation Form with the required Back-up ORC information. Items of Concern: 1. Field laboratory parameters have been performed by the Ramseur WTP field lab (NC certified lab #5270), but this information has not been listed on discharge monitoring reports (DMRs). Please list all certified labs used during each month on future DMRs. Other observations: NPDES general permit NCG590000 became effective August 1, 2019, and will expire at midnight on July 31, 2024. Certificate of coverage NCG590019 became effective June 1, 2021, and will remain in effect for the duration of the general permit. The facility is a conventional WTP discharging to freshwater and therefore required to monitor and report according to Part I, Section B. (4.) of the subject permit. The discharge monitoring report (DMR) and associated laboratory records for September 2023 were reviewed during the inspection and appeared to be complete with no errors found. The benchtop DR3900 used to analyze total chlorine is calibrated annually by Meritech Inc and calibration records appeared to be complete. A diesel standby power generator is available in the event of power failures. The generator is automatically activated, can power the entire facility, and is tested once per month by interrupting the primary power source. Records of generator testing were available during the inspection and appeared to be complete. Wastewater is treated by a clarifier to remove excess solids and then de -chlorinated by feeding liquid sodium thiosulfate into the center well of the clarifier. The clarifier and de -chlorination system appeared to be operating properly during the inspection. Effluent flow is estimated based on the change in water depth within the clarifier over time. Facility staff estimate 9,000 gallons of effluent flow for every foot of water depth change in the clarifier. Mr. Helton stated that a leaky valve controlling effluent flow from the clarifier to the outfall causes constant effluent flow and limits the staff's ability to totally stop effluent flow. Instream and effluent sampling locations and methods were verified during the inspection and appeared to comply with the subject permit. Page# Permit: NCG590019 Inspection Date: 01/17/2024 Owner -Facility: Ramseur WTP Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation Permit (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: 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? Yes No NA NE ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ Yes No NA NE ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ • ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ El El ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: According to DWR records, a Back-up ORC has not been properly designated and reported to the Division. Laboratory Yes No NA NE Page# 3 Permit: NCG590019 Owner -Facility: Ramseur WTP Inspection Date: 01/17/2024 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: 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: Standby Power Yes No NA NE Is automatically activated standby power available? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested by interrupting primary power source? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the generator tested under load? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Was generator tested & operational during the inspection? ❑ ❑ ❑ Do the generator(s) have adequate capacity to operate the entire wastewater site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is there an emergency agreement with a fuel vendor for extended run on back-up ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ power? Is the generator fuel level monitored? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Liquid Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)? ❑ ❑ ❑ Is storage appropriate for cylinders? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Page# 4 Permit: NCG590019 Owner -Facility: Ramseur WTP Inspection Date: 01/17/2024 Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Number of tubes in use? Comment: 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: 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? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ # 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 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ representative)? Comment: 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? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: 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: Page# 5