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Home My WebLink AboutNC0041220_NOD2024PC0026_CEI_Report_20240229DocuSign Envelope ID: 205lC401-AC45-4761-ACEE-8852B867E696 ROY COOPER Goeernor ELIZABETH S. B1SER Secrerary RiCHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director i NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality SENT VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL ONL Y.• NO HARD COPY WILL BE MAILED. February 29, 2024 Kevin Richards, President Oak Hill Development Corporation Email: oakhilldevelopment.caldwell@gmail.com SUBJECT: NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY Tracking Number: NOD-2024-PC-0026 Permit No. NCO041220 Oak Hill Elementary School Caldwell County Dear Permittee: The North Carolina Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection of the Oak Hill Elementary School on January 31, 2024. This inspection was conducted to verify that the facility is operating in compliance with the conditions and limitations specified in NPDES WW Permit No. NC0041220. A summary of the findings and comments noted during the inspection are provided in the enclosed copy of the inspection report. The Compliance Evaluation inspection was conducted by Division of Water Resources staff from the Asheville Regional Office. The following deficiency(s) was noted during the inspection: Inspection Area Description of Deficiency Operations & Maintenance There was evidence of leakage of untreated raw sewage somewhere between the school's collection system and the WWTP. The source of the leakage needs to be found and addressed. Disinfection -Tablet There were no tablets in the chlorinator & de -chlorinator tubes at the time of the inspection. Chlorine & de -chlorinating tablets need to be present in the system even with no flow. D_EQ� NanhCarWhaDegarrmrnl�rE�+;.o..m��taiOvalhVlDivlsfonaFWaserResaurces Ashr+ilk Rr9ional Office 1 2090 US -Highway 70 1 Swannaraa, North Catalina 28778 DocuSign Envelope ID: 205lC401-AC45-4761-ACEE-8852B867E696 Remedial actions should have already been taken to correct this problem and prevent further occurrences in the future. The Division of Water Resources may pursue enforcement action for this and any additional violations of State law. To prevent further action, carefully review these deficiencies and address the causes of non-compliance to prevent the recurrence of similar situations. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Rachel Rose with the Water Quality Regional Operations Section in the Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500. ATTACHMENTS: Inspection Report Ec: Laserfiche Josh Greene (ORC, Water Tech Labs) Sincerely, EvDocuSigned by: Aan,t�(, �jbSS E397192DABFB4FF... Daniel Boss, Assistant Regional Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Asheville Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Asht ll aRtgio Degartc enl 090 U S�Rghw l Qva1 DivisionNorih C-1hp 287 M1she'+ilk Regional Office 120'10 US -Highway 70 I Swannaraa, North Carolina 287I8 62&296.9590 DocuSign Envelope ID: 205lC401-AC45-4761-ACEE-8852B867E696 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 NC0041220 I11 121 24/01/31 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 permit Number) 10:OOAM 24/01/31 20/07/01 Oak Hill Elementary School 4603 Oak Hill School Rd Exit Time/Date Permit Expiration Date Lenoir NC 28645 11:OOAM 24/01/31 25/03/31 Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s) Other Facility Data Joshua Steven Greene/ORC/828-396-4444/ Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number Contacted Greg White,4603 Oak Hill School Rd Lenoir NC 28645/President/828-754-7104/ Yes Section C: Areas Evaluated During Inspection (Check only those areas evaluated) Permit 0 Flow Measurement Operations & Maintenar 0 Records/Reports Self -Monitoring Progran 0 Effluent/Receiving Wate 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 Rachel Rose Docusigned by: DWR/ARO WQ/828-296-4500/ E'v�o�� 2/29/2024 SACE19D3940C494... Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date by: 2/29/2024 rDlIusigned EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 205lC401-AC45-4761-ACEE-8852B867E696 NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type (Cont.) NCO041220 I11 12I 24/01 /31 117 18 i c i Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary) Rachel Rose, with the Asheville Regional Office (ARO), met with Joshua Greene (ORC, Water Tech Labs) to conduct a Compliance Evaluation Inspection on January 31, 2024 of the Oak Hill Elementary WWTP. This inspection was conducted to determine whether the facility is being operated and maintained in compliance with NPDES Permit No. NC0041220. The facility has been reported to have no effluent flow since 2020. The school had no students in the building starting in 2020 through a few months before the inspection. The following items were noted during the inspection: 1. Septic Tank: At the time of the inspection, there were no records of pumping receipts. The solids level in the septic tanks need to be checked at least annually and the tanks need to be pumped at least once every five years. The system needs to be checked even with no flow. The following deficiencies were noted during the inspection: 1. Operations and Maintenance: There was evidence of leakage of untreated raw sewage somewhere between the school's collection system and the septic tank. A dye test and/or sending a camera down the collection system is recommended to pinpoint any leakage issues in either the collection system or within the WWTP. 2. Disinfection/De-Chlorination: There were no tablets in either the chlorinator or de -chlorinator tubes at the time of the inspection. Chlorine & de -chlorinating tablets need to be present in the system even with no flow. Page# DocuSign Envelope ID: 205lC401-AC45-4761-ACEE-8852B867E696 Permit: NCO041220 Owner -Facility: Oak Hill Elementary School Inspection Date: 01/31/2024 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: Operations & Maintenance Yes No NA NE 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? Comment: See summary for details. 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? Page# 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 205lC401-AC45-4761-ACEE-8852B867E696 Permit: NCO041220 Owner -Facility: Inspection Date: 01/31/2024 Inspection Type: Oak Hill Elementary School Compliance Evaluation Record Keeping Yes No NA NE Is a copy of the current NPDES permit available on site? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Facility has copy of previous year's Annual Report on file for review? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The facility has been reported to have no effluent flow since 2020; therefore, no effluent samples have been taken since 2020. Septic Tank Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visual alarm operational? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Is septic tank pumped on a schedule? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are pumps or syphons operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Are high and low water alarms operating properly? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Comment: The facility has been reported to have no flow since 2020. No pumping services have been done for at least the last few years. See summary for details. Sand Filters (Low rate) Yes No NA NE (If pumps are used) Is an audible and visible alarm Present and operational? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ Is the distribution box level and watertight? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Is sand filter free of ponding? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑ Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? ❑ ❑ 0 ❑ # Is the sand filter surface free of algae or excessive vegetation? ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ # Is the sand filter effluent re -circulated at a valid ratio? (Approximately 3 to 1) ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ Comment: The sand in the sand filter bed was replaced three to four vears aqo. The distribution box was dry at the time of the inspection. Disinfection -Tablet Yes No NA NE Are tablet chlorinators operational? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ 0 ❑ ❑ Number of tubes in use? 0 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? ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: There were no tablets in the chlorinator tubes at the time of the inspection. See summary for details. De -chlorination Yes No NA NE Type of system ? Tablet Page# 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 205lC401-AC45-4761-ACEE-8852B867E696 Permit: NCO041220 Owner -Facility: Inspection Date: 01/31/2024 Inspection Type: Oak Hill Elementary School Compliance Evaluation De -chlorination Yes No NA NE 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 ❑ ❑ ❑ Comment: Are the tablets the proper size and type? ❑ ❑ ❑ Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? ❑ ❑ ❑ ■ Number of tubes in use? 0 Comment: There were no tablets in the de -chlorinator tubes at the time of the inspection. See summary for details. 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: The flow is measured with a bucket and timer. Effluent Sampling Yes No NA NE Is composite sampling flow proportional? ❑ ❑ ■ ❑ 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: The permit requires qrab samples and the facility was reported to have no effluent flow since 2020; therefore, no effluent samples have been taken since 2020. The ORC showed the inspector where samples would be taken if there was flow. 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: Page# 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 205lC401-AC45-4761-ACEE-8852B867E696 Permit: NC0041220 Inspection Date: 01/31/2024 Effluent Pipe Owner -Facility: Oak Hill Elementary School Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation 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: A portable generator is available as needed through Water Tech Labs. Yes No NA NE Yes No NA NE ❑ ■ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Page# 6