NC0028746_CEI_Letter_20240304

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Aqua North Carolina, Inc.
Attn: Shannon V. Becker
202 Mackenan Dr.
Cary, NC 27511
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
March 4, 2024
SUBJECT: Compliance Evaluation Inspection
Briarwood Subdivision Wastewater Treatment Plant
NPDES Permit #: NCO028746
Stokes County
On January 29, 2024, Division of Water Resources staff, Ron Boone, conducted a routine compliance
inspection at the Briarwood Subdivision wastewater treatment plant. Donte Campbell, operator in
responsible charge, was present during the inspection.
A review of the facility and its operation and maintenance records was conducted during the inspection.
The results of the inspection, which are detailed in the attached Water Compliance Inspection Report,
show that the facility is compliant with its permit.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the inspection or this report, please contact Mr. Boone by
phone at 336.776.9690 or by email at ron.boonendeq.nc. og_v.
Sincerely,
ED-ocu Sri-grned by
145B49E2?5C94EA...
Lon T. Snider, Regional Supervisor
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
Winston-Salem Regional Office
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
Attachments:
Water Compliance Inspection Report
DffNorth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
oan caaouNn
Winston-Salem Regional Office 1 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 I Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
M336.776.9800
oep.m.m or em�nmen� Qualm

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 NC0028746 111 121 24/01/29 I17 18 LC] I 19 I s I 201 I
211IIIII 111111III II III III1 I I IIIII IIIIIIIII II 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)
02:OOPM 24/01/29
22/11/01
Briarwood Subdivision WWTP
NC Hwy 66
Exit Time/Date
Permit Expiration Date
King NC 27021
03:30PM 24/01/29
27/02/28
Name(s) of Onsite Representative(s)/Titles(s)/Phone and Fax Number(s)
Other Facility Data
Donte Lamont Campbell/ORC/336-784-4701/
Name, Address of Responsible Official/Title/Phone and Fax Number
Contacted
Delbert H Likins, /Wastewater Supervisor West//
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/
Ostia& Boone, 3/4/2024
B20F8DD5F2A3460...
Signature of Management Q A Reviewer Agency/Office/Phone and Fax Numbers Date
Docusigned by:
FLam - T. 5,,dtr 3/4/2024
14bB4at22bUY4EA...
EPA Form 3560-3 (Rev 9-94) Previous editions are obsolete.
Page#

NPDES yr/mo/day Inspection Type
NCO028746 I11 12I 24/01 /29 117 18 i c i
(Cont.)
Section D: Summary of Finding/Comments (Attach additional sheets of narrative and checklists as necessary)
On January 29th, 2024, Ron Boone, of the Winston-Salem Regional Office of the NC Division of
Water Resources, conducted a compliance evaluation inspection of the Briarwood Subdivision
wastewater treatment plant, which is permitted to discharge treated wastewater via outfall 001 to an
unnamed tributary of Brushy Fork Creek, which is classified as Class C waters and is located in
Roanoke River Basin, in accordance with the NPDES discharge permit NC0028746. Operator in
responsible charge (ORC), Donte Campbell, was present for the inspection.
The inspection consisted of a field portion, in which the treatment plant was inspected, and then an
administrative portion where records of operation, maintenance, laboratory monitoring and discharge
monitoring reports were reviewed. The inspection reflected compliance with the subject permit.
Field Portion
The plant was well secured and appeared clean and well maintained. The bar screen looks new and
is in good condition. After the bar screen the wastewater flows to the influent sedimentation basin and
then to one of two trains of extended diffused aeration basins and clarifiers.
At the time of the inspection the operator was using a single 2" submersible pump to transfer more
wastewater directly from the influent sedimentation basin to the northern most aeration basin
because it is thought that due to the layout of the underground piping that connects the influent
sedimentation basin to the aeration basins, that more wastewater naturally flows to the southern most
aeration basin than does to the northern most aeration basin. Mr. Boone noted that the influent
sedimentation basin may be entrapping too much of the wastewater's organic matter. This may
explain, in part, why the biomass appears to be inadequate and the sludge doesn't appear to settle
well. The mixed liquor in the aeration basins has a good earthy odor but what can be seen appears
dark, thin and possibly with insufficient biomass.
The clarifiers appear to be functioning well, although the eastern most clarifier was not overflowing
during the inspection. This has been noted in the past. The operator stated that no one has been
able to figure out why. This may be a problem that Aqua may want to spend some time looking into,
although Mr. Boone noted no negative conditions during the inspection that may be attributed to the
one clarifier not discharging.
The sludge in the clarifiers was measured during the inspection using a Sludge Judge. According to
the Sludge Judge the clarifiers are about 11' deep and there was no clear line of separation between
the sludge and water in the Sludge Judge, although the depth of sludge in the eastern most clarifier
appeared to be about 9' and the depth of sludge in the western most clarifier appeared to be about
6'. The eastern most clarifier may have had more sludge, in part, because it wasn't overflowing at the
time of the inspection. This situation should be looked at in more detail to identify the problems
causing these conditions.
The operator stated that sludge is constantly returning at a set amount and sludge is wasted as
needed. Sludge is normally wasted daily for a short period of time and there doesn't seem to be any
use of sludge measurements of any kind to determine sludge wasting, although mixed liquor
suspended solids and 30-minute settleometer tests are conducted from time to time and recorded in
the operator's logbook. Streamlining of this process may also help improve sludge quality and
settleability in the clarifiers.
The chlorinator and contact chamber appear to be in good condition. Two tubes were in use during
the inspection and had an adequate supply of tablets. However, as has also been noted in previous
inspections, the contact chamber had a large amount of solids in it during the inspection, some of
which were discharging with the water. The frequency of the chamber filling with solids may be a
concern and may be related to problems with the aeration basins and clarifiers and inadequate
Page#

Permit: NCO028746
Inspection Date: 01/29/2024
biomass and settling.
Owner -Facility: Briarwood Subdivision WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
The dechlorinator was also in good condition and two tubes were also in use during the inspection
with an adequate supply of tablets.
The chamber in which the dechlorinator is installed is also aerated. This should be annotated in the
permit, under the plant description, as post aeration. The permit's plant description should be
corrected by adding post aeration to it, as well as by correcting any other inaccuracies in the
description, such as specifying the two separate trains of aeration basins and clarifiers.
Mr. Campbell did not have documentation of the flow meter's calibration during the inspection. Mr.
Campbell emailed Mr. Boone on 1/31/2024 to tell him the meter was installed in September 2022 and
that it hasn't been calibrated since. Mr. Campbell then sent Mr. Boone documentation showing that
he calibrated the meter on February 28, 2024.
The composite sampler temperature was 2 degrees Celsius during the inspection. The operator
stated that the sampler is set up to pull flow proportional samples.
The right-of-way to the outfall is accessible but can obviously be treacherous in bad weather. The
receiving stream looked cloudy but there was no detectable discharge of solids or foam from the
outfall and no sludge was detected in the stream.
Administrative Portion
Mr. Boone reviewed discharge monitoring reports (DMR), laboratory results, field sheets, chains of
custody, operation and maintenance records, the operator visitation log, and sludge removal records.
Mr. Campbell did not have all DMRs and sludge removal records on site during the inspection. All
such records should always be maintained on site in readiness for an inspection by the Division, who
may inspect at any reasonable time.
Otherwise, all reviewed records were complete and well kept. No errors or violations were noted. Mr.
Campbell sent Mr. Boone laboratory data for January and July, 2023, post inspection, and a post
inspection review of those records with the DMRs revealed no errors. Aqua uses its own field
laboratory certification.
Other than the flow meter not being calibrated as required, Mr. Boone found Aqua to be compliant
with permit NC0028746. Thank you for your time and efforts in facilitating the inspection. Please feel
free to contact Mr. Boone directly by phone at 336-776-9690, or by email at [e-mail],
if you have any questions regarding the inspection or this report.
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Permit: NCO028746 Owner -Facility: Briarwood Subdivision WWTP
Inspection Date: 01/29/2024 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
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application?
Is the facility as described in the permit?
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# Are there any special conditions for the permit?
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Is access to the plant site restricted to the general public?
0
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Is the inspector granted access to all areas for inspection?
0
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Comment: Two trains of aeration basins and clarifiers and post aeration should be added to
permit.
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
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Comment: Operator should have copies of all DMRs and laboratory reports available on site
during the inspection.
Laboratory
Yes No NA NE
Page# 4

Permit: NCO028746
Inspection Date: 01/29/2024
Owner -Facility: Briarwood Subdivision WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Laboratory
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: Sampler at 2 degrees Celcius during inspection.
Effluent Sampling
Is composite sampling flow proportional?
Is sample collected below all treatment units?
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
representative)?
Yes
No
NA
NE
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Yes No NA NE
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Comment: Sampler at 2 degrees Celcius durinq inspection. Operator stated that composite
effluent sampling is flow proportional.
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
Bar Screens
Yes
No
NA NE
Type of bar screen
a.Manual
b.Mechanical
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Are the bars adequately screening debris?
0
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Is the screen free of excessive debris?
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Is disposal of screening in compliance?
0
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Is the unit in good condition?
0
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Page# 5

Permit: NCO028746
Inspection Date: 01/29/2024
Owner -Facility: Briarwood Subdivision WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
Bar Screens Yes No NA NE
Comment: Looks like a brand new unit. After reviewing past inspection records, it is noted that an
Authorization to Construct permit was never applied for or issued for the addition of the
bar screen.
Equalization Basins
Is the basin aerated?
Is the basin free of bypass lines or structures to the natural environment?
Is the basin free of excessive grease?
Are all pumps present?
Are all pumps operable?
Are float controls operable?
Are audible and visual alarms operable?
# Is basin size/volume adequate?
Yes
No
NA
NE
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Comment: Tank is labeled as an influent sedimentation chamber on the permit's plant description.
It may be withholding too much organic material in this tank rather than transferring it to
the activated sludge process where it would probably be of better use in established a
good biosmass. Flow from the influent tank to the aeration basins is by gravity except
that the operator is currently using a supplemental pump because apparently the
piping arrangement does not evenly split the flow between the two aeration basins.
Aeration Basins
Yes
No
NA NE
Mode of operation
Ext. Air
Type of aeration system
Diffused
Is the basin free of dead spots?
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Are surface aerators and mixers operational?
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Are the diffusers operational?
0
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Is the foam the proper color for the treatment process?
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Does the foam cover less than 25% of the basin's surface?
0
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Is the DO level acceptable?
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Is the DO level acceptable?(1.0 to 3.0 mg/1)
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Comment: Basins are completely covered with concrete lids so water surface on the inside of the
basins cannot be visually evaluated. The mixed liquor appears dark and thin with not
much biomass.
Secondary Clarifier
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is the clarifier free of black and odorous wastewater?
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Is the site free of excessive buildup of solids in center well of circular clarifier?
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Page# 6

Permit: NCO028746
Inspection Date: 01/29/2024
Secondary 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?
Owner -Facility: Briarwood Subdivision WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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)
Yes
No
NA
NE
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Comment: As stated above, the clarifiers have a lot of sludge in them with no clear line of
separation between the sludge and the water on the sludge judge. The clarifiers are
about 11' deep according to the sludge judge and the sludge went up to about 9' on
the eastern most (#1?) clarifier, which was not overflowing at the time of the inspection
and up to about 6' on the western most clarifier (#2?), which was overflowing. This
seems like a lot of sludge in the clarifier but the sludge also appears quite thin and not
settling well. The weirs appear level but it's difficult to tell on the clarifier that wasn't
overflowing during the inspection without a level.
Pumps-RAS-WAS
Yes
No
NA
NE
Are pumps in place?
0
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Are pumps operational?
0
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Are there adequate spare parts and supplies on site?
0
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Comment: Operator stated he is constantly returning and wasting is done as needed. He does do
MLSSs and 30 minute settlometers to monitor solids inventory but it appears
he lust
wastes for a certain amount of time each day based on conditions at the
olant.
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
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Comment: There is a large amount of solids in the chamber and some were overflowing during the
inspection but what that equates to in mg/I is hard to tell.
De -chlorination
Yes No NA NE
Page# 7

Permit: NCO028746 Owner -Facility:
Inspection Date: 01/29/2024 Inspection Type:
Briarwood Subdivision WWTP
Compliance Evaluation
De -chlorination
Yes
No
NA
NE
Type of system ?
Tablet
Is the feed ratio proportional to chlorine amount (1 to 1)?
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Is storage appropriate for cylinders?
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# Is de -chlorination substance stored away from chlorine containers?
0
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Are the tablets the proper size and type?
0
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Comment: None
Are tablet de -chlorinators operational? 0 ❑ ❑ ❑
Number of tubes in use? 2
Comment: None
Flow Measurement - Effluent
Yes
No
NA
NE
# Is flow meter used for reporting?
0
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Is flow meter calibrated annually?
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Is the flow meter operational?
0
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(If units are separated) Does the chart recorder match the flow meter?
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Comment: Meter was installed in September 2022 and was not calibrated until February 28th
2024, by the operator.
Effluent Pipe
Yes
No
NA
NE
Is right of way to the outfall properly maintained?
0
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Are the receiving water free of foam other than trace amounts and other debris?
0
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If effluent (diffuser pipes are required) are they operating properly?
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Comment: None
Aerobic Digester
Is the capacity adequate?
Is the mixing adequate?
Is the site free of excessive foaming in the tank?
# Is the odor acceptable?
# Is tankage available for properly waste sludge?
Comment: Sludge looked and smelled healthy.
Operations & Maintenance
Yes No NA NE
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Yes No NA NE
Page# 8

Permit: NCO028746
Inspection Date: 01/29/2024
Owner -Facility: Briarwood Subdivision WWTP
Inspection Type: Compliance Evaluation
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?
Comment: None
Yes No NA NE
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