WQCS00054_BIMS Report_20240223

Compliance Inspection Report
Permit: WQCS00054 Effective: 07/01/15 Expiration: 06/30/23 Owner: Union County
SOC: S20001 Effective: 06/01/22 Expiration: 09/30/27 Facility: Union County Collection System
County: Union PO Box 987
Region: Mooresville
Contact Person: Brian Matthews Title: Interim County Manager Phone: [phone]
Directions to Facility:
System Classifications: CS3,
Primary ORC: Gregory Wayne Morgan
Secondary ORC(s):
On -Site Representative(s):
Related Permits:
Certification: 989865 Phone:[phone]
NC0024970
Charlotte Water - McAlpine Creek WWTP
NC0024333
City of Monroe - Monroe WWTP
NC0085812
Union County - Grassy Branch WWTP
NC0069523
Union County - Tallwood Estates WWTP
NC0085359
Union County - Twelve Mile Creek WWTP
NC0069841
Union County - Crooked Creek WWTP #2
Inspection Date: 02/21/2024 Entry Time 10:OOAM Exit Time: 02:OOPM
Primary Inspector: Tony Parker Phone: [phone]
Secondary Inspector(s):
Reason for Inspection: Routine Inspection Type: Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Permit Inspection Type: Collection system management and operation
Facility Status: 0 Compliant ❑ Not Compliant
Question Areas:
Miscellaneous Questions
Capital Improvement Plan
Inspections
Lines
(See attachment summary)
General
Map
Spill Response Plan
Manholes
Sewer & FOG Ordinances
Reporting Requirements
Spills
Pump Stations
Page 1 of 7

Permit: WQCS00054 Owner - Facility: Union County
Inspection Date: 02/21/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Inspection Summary:
Page 2 of 7

Permit: WQCS00054 Owner - Facility: Union County
Inspection Date: 02/21/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
General Yes No NA NE
Is there a properly designated primary ORC and at least one back-up of proper grade? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are logs being reviewed by the system management or owner on a regular basis? ❑ ❑ ❑
# What is that frequency? Daily
# Are there any issues being addressed currently or any in the planning stages?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a specific pump failure plan available for all pump stations?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does plan indicate if pump parts/new pumps are in spare parts/equipment inventory?
❑ ❑ ❑
Are new/significantly upgraded pump stations equipped with anti -corrosion materials?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the permittee have a copy of their permit?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Is permit expiring within the next 6 months?
❑
❑ ❑
If Yes, has the Permittee applied for renewal?
❑
❑ 0 ❑
Comment: The system permit expired 6/30/2023 and a renewal application was submitted and received
and is under review. Therefore the facility should continue to operate
under the expired permit
untill a new permit has been issued.
Sewer and FOG Ordinances
Yes No NA NE
Is Sewer Use Ordinance (SUO) or other Legal Authority available?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Does it appear that the Sewer Use Ordinance is enforced?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a Grease Control Program that legally requires grease control devices?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
What is the standard grease trap cleaning requirement in the FOG ordinance?
Variable
Is Grease Control Program enforced via periodic inspections/records review? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Is action taken against violators? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Have satellite systems adopted an equivalent or more stringent ordinance? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑
Is grease/sewer education program documented with req'd customer distribution? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Are other types of education tools used like websites, booths, special meetings, etc? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, what are they? (This can reduce mailing to annual.)
The county conducts mail outs 2-3 times per year and shares FOG info at Earth Day and Expo events.
Comment:
Capital Improvement Plan Yes No NA NE
Has a Capital (CIP) or System Improvement Plan been developed and adopted? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is it designated for wastewater only or does it have a dedicated section? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP cover three to five year period of earmarked improvements? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include description of project area? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include description of existing facilities? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include known deficiencies? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does CIP include forecasted future needs? ❑ ❑ ❑
Page 3 of 7

Permit: WQCS00054 Owner - Facility: Union County
Inspection Date: 02/21/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Comment: The county has and extensive Capital Improvement Program with multiple year extensions. The
budget presented appears to be adequate for future needs.
Map Yes No NA NE
Is there a overall sewer system map? ❑ ❑ ❑
Does the map include:
Pipe Type (GS/FM) ❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe sizes ❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe materials (PVC, DIP, etc) ❑ ❑ ❑
Pipe location ❑ ❑ ❑
Flow direction ❑ ❑ ❑
Approximate pipe age ❑ ❑ ❑
Pump station ID, location and capacity ❑ ❑ ❑
# Force main air release valve location & type ❑ ❑ ❑
# Location of satellite connections ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the map being updated for changes/additions within 1 year of activation? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The county uses GIS maps.
Reporting Requirements Yes No NA NE
# Have there been any sewer spills in the past 3 years? ❑ ❑ ❑
If Yes, were they reported to the Division if meeting the reportable criteria? ❑ ❑ ❑
If applicable, is there documentation of press releases and public notices issued? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is an Annual Wastewater Performance Report being filed with the Division, if required? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the report being made available to all its sewer customers? ❑ ❑ ❑
# How is it being made available? website
Comment: The county is not free of SSO.s but are responding, documenting and reporting as required.
Inspections Yes No NA NE
Are adequate maintenance records maintained? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Are pump stations being inspected at the required frequency? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
# Is at least one complete functionality test conducted weekly per pump station? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is there a system or plan in place to observe the entire system annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Is the annual inspection documented? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Does the system have any high -priority lines/locations? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are inspections of HPL documented at least every 6 months? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are new lines being added to the HPL list when found or created? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: All activities were well documented via electronic files, lops and records.
Spill Response Action Plan Yes No NA NE
Page 4 of 7

Permit: WQCS00054 Owner - Facility: Union County
Inspection Date: 02/21/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Reason for Visit: Routine
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a Spill Response Action Plan available for all personnel?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the plan include:
24-hour contact numbers
❑ ❑ ❑
Response time
❑ ❑ ❑
Equipment list and spare parts inventory
❑ ❑ ❑
Access to cleaning equipment
❑ ❑ ❑
Access to construction crews, contractors, and/or engineers
❑ ❑ ❑
Source of emergency funds
❑ ❑ ❑
Site sanitation and cleanup materials
❑ ❑ ❑
Post-overflow/spill assessment
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the Permittee appear to respond within 2 hours of first knowledge of a spill?
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: A spill response plan was available
Spllls Yes No NA NE
Is system free of known points of bypass? ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, describe type of bypass and location
Are all spills or sewer related issues/complaints documented? ❑ ❑ ❑
# Are there repeated overflows/problems (2 or more in 12 months) at same location? ❑ ❑ ❑
# If Yes, is there a corrective action plan? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: Multiple spills previously reported on Grey Fox force main due to line breaks. The county has
plans to install a new force main and it is in process and the county hopes to have it completed
by year end.
Lines/Right-of-Ways/Aerial Lines
Please list the Lines/Right of Ways/Aerial Lines Inspected:
Poplin outfall & R/W, and Stevens Mill aerials ( 8 inch gravity & 6 inch force main ). Poplin outfall was mowed
& clear and appeared to be well maintained. The Stevens Mill aerials were damaged but not leaking during
recent storms and work orders were being issued for the necessary repairs.
Yes No NA NE
Are right-of-ways/easements maintained for full width for access by staff/equipment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
If No, give details on temporary access:
Is maintenance documented? ❑ ❑ ❑
Are gravity sewer cleaning records available? ❑ ❑ ❑
Has at least 10% of lines older than 5 yrs been cleaned annually? ❑ ❑ ❑
Were all areas/lines inspected free of issues? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The county exceeded their minimum 10% line cleaning requirement for the review period.
Manholes
Please list the Manholes Inspected:
Various manholes inspected and no issues observed.
Are manholes accessible?
Yes No NA NE
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Page 5 of 7

Permit: WQCS00054 Owner - Facility: Union County
Inspection Date: 02/21/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling
Reason for Visit: Routine
# Are manhole covers/vents above grade?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of visible signs of overflow?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of sinkholes and depressions?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are manhole covers present?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Are manholes properly seated?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Are manholes in good condition?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
# Are inverts in good condition?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Is flow unrestricted in manholes?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of excessive amounts of grease?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of excessive roots?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are manholes free of excessive sand?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Are manhole vents screened?
❑
❑ ❑
Are vents free of submergence?
❑
❑ ❑
Are manholes free of bypass structures or pipes?
0
❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: No issues with manholes.
Pump Stations
Yes No NA NE
Please list the Pump Stations Inspected:
Sun Valley P/S, Helmsville P/S, Poplin P/S & Fieldstone P/S. No issues with pump stations noted.
# Number of duplex or larger pump stations in system
49
# Number of vacuum stations in system
0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system
0
# Number of simplex pump stations in system serving more than one building
0
How many pump/vacuum stations have:
# A two-way "auto polling" communication system (SCADA) installed?
49
# A simple one-way telemetry/communication system (auto -dialer) installed?
0
For pump stations inspected:
Are they secure with restricted access?
❑ ❑ ❑
Were they free of by-pass structures/pipes?
❑ ❑ ❑
Were wet wells free of excessive grease/debris?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Do they all have telemetry installed?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is the communication system functional?
❑ ❑ ❑
Is a 24-hour notification sign posted ?
❑ ❑ ❑
Does the sign include:
Owner Name?
❑ ❑ ❑
Pump station identifier?
❑ ❑ ❑
# Address?
❑ ❑ ❑
Page 6 of 7

Permit: WQCS00054 Owner - Facility: Union County
Inspection Date: 02/21/2024 Inspection Type : Collection System Inspect Non Sampling Reason for Visit: Routine
Instructions for notification?
24-hour emergency contact numbers?
Are audio and visual alarms present?
Are audio and visual alarms operable?
# Is there a backup generator or bypass pump connected?
If tested during inspection, did it function properly?
Is the back-up system tested at least bi-annually under normal operating conditions?
# Does it have a dedicated connection for a portable generator?
# Is the owner relying on portable units in the event of a power outage?
# If Yes, is there a distribution plan?
If Yes, what resources (Units/Staff/Vehicles/etc) are included in Plan?
The county uses dedicated & portable generators. They have 25 dedicated on -site generators, 15 portable
generators located at pumpstations, 4 on -site generators at ops center to go out to designated sites in future,
10 portable standby generators at ops center & 3 additional generators to assist the North & East sectors. In
addition they also have 2 diesel by-pass pumps and 1 electric by-pass pump.
# Does Permittee have the approved percentage of replacement simplex pumps?
Is recordkeeping of pump station inspection and maintenance program adequate?
Do pump station logs include at a minimum:
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Inside and outside cleaning and debris removal? ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting and exercising all valves? ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting and lubricating pumps and other equipment? ❑ ❑ ❑
Inspecting alarms, telemetry and auxiliary equipment? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Comment: The pump stations inspected appeared to be well operated, maintained and documented.
Page 7 of 7